We currently own an 18 month old house in Perth and have just applied to DHA for them to take a lease over the property. We are currently paying 15% commission with our real estate agent which we were told by various agents, is the average WA commission, so paying DHA 16% (or whatever it is) is not a concern especially when maintenance issues are covered in that commission.

During the time of the lease DHA recarpet and repaint when necessary and at the end of the lease they repaint inside and out as well.

My husband has been in the Army for 22+ years and we relocate every 2 years so we deal with DHA all of the time. The houses they provide for defence members are of a high standard and maintenance is normally carried out promptly and efficiently.

Defence members pay a subsidised rent to DHA and DHA pays the investor the “market value” rent and carries out property valuations etc to establish this rental value.

I think for the long term investor looking for capital growth, DHA is something worth looking at.

N Tyson