Selling a property while leased

If you wish to sell your DHA-leased property, we recommend obtaining a desktop appraisal from an agent of your choosing in the first instance.  You can obtain your property information required for this through your Online Services account, via the “Appraisal and Sale” tab.

Please note that DHA does not have a list of agents that we are able to recommend for assisting with selling your property. However, you can search a real estate website with the Keywords of DHA or Defence Housing Australia to view Agents with current DHA listings.

Log into DHA Online Services and click on the Property ID to access your property information via the “Appraisal and Sale” tab.

From here you can download a sales package to provide to your agent.

We recommend providing your agent a copy of the following:

• property photos
• floor plan
• a copy of the lease and property care contract (applicable for Lease Edition 7)
• current rent details (available on your latest statement)
• a copy of Sales agent instructions - Selling a property with a DHA Lease in place. Please ensure this link is forwarded to your agent prior to them marketing the property for sale.

If you decide to proceed with the sale of your property, you are required to notify DHA that the property is for sale.

This can be done by starting the sale process through your Online Services account, via the “Appraisal and Sale” tab.

This will send a notification to DHA of your intent to list the property.

If you have signed an agency agreement and appointed a real estate agent, you will be prompted to provide your agent details when starting the sale process.

As the property owner please ensure your appointed agent follows the sales agent guidelines Sales agent instructions - Selling a property with a DHA Lease in place.

If you are selling the property without the assistance of a real estate agent, please contact  midleasesales@dha.gov.au for further instructions.

• Provide your agent with a copy of Sales agent instructions - Selling a property with a DHA Lease in place . Please ensure this is forwarded to your agent prior to them marketing the property for sale as it covers marketing restrictions for a DHA leased property.
• Provide your solicitor with a copy of the DHA Solicitor and conveyancer instructions. DHA will liaise with your solicitor to ensure they have the information necessary for a smooth settlement process.
• Please ensure DHA is notified when you appoint an agent to sell the property, contracts are signed/exchanged, and settlement takes place. This can be done via your Online Services account.

In the ‘Appraisal and Sale’ tab you can:

• download a sales package with all the property information recommended to provide to your agent
• start the sales process- this will automatically notify DHA of the listing so we can notify the occupant
• access the occupant details for sales inspection purposes - This is personal information and should only be provided to the listing agent for the purpose of selling your property. The details are not to be provided to third parties and you as the landlord should not contact the occupant directly under any circumstances.
• provide your agent details to DHA
• request a physical visit
• request a maintenance review following a pest and building inspection
• provide notification of exchange (Raise a selling enquiry).
• provide notification of a sale falling over
• cancel sale (Notify DHA that the property is no longer listed for sale).

This is personal information and should only be provided to the listing agent for the purpose of selling your property. The details are not to be provided to third parties and you as the landlord should not contact the occupant directly under any circumstances.

Our occupant’s privacy and security is paramount. If the selling agent has difficulty contacting the occupant during the inspection process, please contact midleasesales@dha.gov.au as soon as possible so DHA can address any issues.

The occupant must be given at least 72 hours’ notice before inspections are to take place. The occupant (or their nominated representative) must be present at all inspections.

The agent may request to do a virtual inspection. If a virtual inspection is required, the agent must follow the guidelines outlined in the agent instructions. If the selling agent has feedback on the presentation of the property, please contact midleasesales@dha.gov.au

Note that open homes should not be advertised for the property and Auctions should not be held on or adjacent to the property and as such an auction may not be the best method for selling a DHA leased property.

Please ensure your solicitor is provided the link to Solicitor and conveyancer instructions (dha.gov.au)  once you have decided to proceed with the sale of the property.

Keys to the property are not handed over as part of settlement, they will remain with the occupant or DHA for the remainder of the lease term.

For PEXA settlements there is no requirement for DHA to be invited to the settlement.

Following settlement of the property the new owner will be assigned an Online Services account and you will no longer have access to the property under you Online Services account. DHA recommend you download and save your property information prior to this occurring.