Find a property to lease to DHA

If you are looking to buy or build a property, we may be able to commit to leasing it before you finalise your purchase. 

You will still receive all the great benefits of a secure long-term tenant and guaranteed1 rent with the flexibility to buy or build a property that suits your budget and investment goals.  

Alternatively, if you are interested in properties that DHA has already committed to lease on completion, browse these investment opportunities today.

Buying a property to lease to DHA

We can work with you before purchasing to ensure that your property meets our requirements and your investment goals. We may also be able to commit to leasing your selected property before you finalise your purchase.   

Before commencing this process, you should speak with a financial advisor, accountant or mortgage broker for independent advice based on your personal circumstances.

Step 1 – Understand DHA's property requirements and locations

We recommend creating a shortlist of the properties that suit your investment goals, which are also likely to meet DHA's requirements.

Step 2 – Connect with our Investor Support team

Once you have a shortlist, call DHA on 133 342 or submit an online enquiry. We can help to narrow down your shortlist to ensure that only properties DHA would accept are included.

Step 3 – Submit properties for assessment 

Once you have selected a property you would like to purchase, submit the property for assessment online via our application form. Our Investor Support team is available to help you complete the application form.

To assess the property, we recommend including:

  • a floor plan
  • recent photos of the property (these can be from the property listing)
  • the weekly rent you would like to receive for the property
  • your preferred lease term (these are typically 6, 9 or 12 years3).

Step 4 – Inspection and valuation

If the property meets our basic requirements, a member of our team will work with you to arrange an inspection, which will allow DHA to provide a rental valuation and confirm that the property meets our requirements.

Step 5 – Offer to Lease

If your property meets our needs, you will receive an Offer to Lease from DHA, which provides you with the certainty that if you purchase the property, we will lease it for the specified weekly rent and lease term.

Step 6 – Purchase property and accept Offer to Lease

Accept the Offer to Lease by signing and returning the Landlord Acceptance Reply. The lease will commence once the property is habitable, and any required works outlined in the Offer to Lease are completed.  
 
During this time, you should follow the usual due diligence process of buying a property, including obtaining independent legal and financial advice to ensure the property matches your investment needs.

Building a property to lease to DHA

DHA may also be able to commit to leasing a property before you purchase land or begin construction of the property. By working with DHA before building, we can help ensure that your proposed property meets our requirements.

Before commencing this process, you should speak with a financial advisor, accountant or mortgage broker for independent advice based on your personal circumstances.

Step 1 – Speak to our Investor Support team

Our dedicated Investor Support team can: 

You can also check if your property is in an eligible location by using our postcode checker.  

Step 2 – Identify suitable house and land packages or builders

Search and shortlist available house and land packages that meet your investment goals and DHA's requirements.  If you own land, now is the time to identify builders and have them provide a plan for your property with a list of inclusions. 

Alternatively, you can browse DHA-compliant properties that we have already committed to lease on completion. These properties are available to purchase directly from third-party builders and agents.

Step 3 – Submit property for assessment 

Once you have found suitable land and a builder, submit the property for assessment online via our application form or by contacting our Investor Support team on 133 342.

To assess the property, we will need the:

  • property address
  • builders plan
  • property inclusions list
  • development master plan (if applicable).

You will also be required to include:

  • the weekly rent you would like to receive for the property
  • your preferred lease term (these are typically 6, 9, or 12 years3).

Step 4 – Property assessment and valuation

DHA will assess the property to determine whether it meets our requirements. We will also raise an “as if” valuation of the property's potential rent once construction is complete.  
 
Upon completion of the build, a final valuation will be undertaken, and DHA will honour the higher of the two valuations.

Step 5 – Offer to Lease

If the property meets our requirements, you will receive an Offer to Lease from DHA, which provides you with the certainty that we will lease the property once habitable.

Step 6 – Purchase property and commence construction

To proceed with leasing the property to DHA, you must accept the Offer to Lease by signing and returning the Landlord Acceptance Reply. The lease will commence once the property is habitable, and any required works outlined in the Offer to Lease are completed. 

During this time, you should follow the usual due diligence process, including obtaining independent legal and financial advice to ensure the property matches your investment needs.

Purchasing a property mid-lease 

There are established DHA properties being sold during the term of the lease (mid-lease), allowing you to take over the remaining lease term. To view the list of these properties, please follow the steps below. 

  1. Visit your preferred real estate property site.
  2. Search the location you are interested in buying a property.
  3. In the filters, include the keyword "DHA" and hit search.
  4. Use the contact details provided on the listing to proceed with the purchase.

Ready to invest? 

If you'd like to speak to our Investor Support team to learn more about our long-term leases, please call 133 342 or submit an online enquiry.

Next steps and more information


Online enquiry form 

Want to learn more about buying or building a property to lease to DHA? Complete our enquiry form our team will contact you within three business days.

Enquire now

1. Rent may be subject to abatement under certain circumstances such as loss of enjoyment or amenity, or breach of lease terms. Rent is paid where the property is habitable. Should a property become uninhabitable during the term of the lease, or lessor breaches the lease terms, the rent may cease or abate and the lease may be terminated by DHA. Guaranteed rent is subject to the terms of the lease. DHA does not take into account an investor's objectives or financial needs. Investors should always seek appropriate independent advice before making any investment decisions with DHA. 

2. DHA is not the seller of these properties nor is it responsible for any aspect of delivery of the properties. Please enquire directly with the builder/agent if you are interested in these properties. DHA has reviewed the property plans, inclusions and location, and has committed to a long-term lease on completion of the build.

3. DHA can vary the lease term at our discretion by exercising each extension right once. Investors should consider their long term plans and potential changes in circumstances when assessing a DHA long term lease.