Moving out

Posting within Australia

Log into Online Services and select the 'Posting? Search for your new home here' banner to advise the date you will move out of your current home.

Self funded move 

If require DHA to assist with a new housing solution submit an enquiry via Online Services to advise:

• the date you are moving
• why you are moving out and;
• when you will need your new housing solution

Separation or transition from the services

Your eligibility for a housing benefit ends on the date of your separation or transition from the Australian Defence Force (ADF). You are required to vacate the property on or before this date.

You can apply to remain in the property after separation or transition via Online services.

Please be aware however that eligibility is not automatic and will need to be approved by DHA. This determination will be based on housing availability and demand.  If approved, full market rent must be paid in advance and bond may also be payable in advance.

A pre-vacation inspection (PVI) occurs prior to you moving out of the property.

The purpose of the pre-vacation inspection is to explain key information such as your responsibilities as the occupant, maintenance and cleaning requirements and indemnify potential tenant charges. It is a requirement that the Defence member is at the inspection.

The property manager will meet you at the property to conduct the pre-vacation inspection with you.

During the inspection the Property Manager will:

Identify maintenance and discuss the vacating process

• Discuss your responsibilities as the occupant for vacating the property
• Undertake a walk around of the property to identify maintenance and Non-fair wear-and-tear
• Discuss tenant charges and sign the inspection condition report. You will be required to sign and accept the Inspection Condition Report including the identified tenant charges regardless of any disputes including if you do not agree with the charge.
• Address any concerns you have with vacating the property.

Discuss your cleaning requirements

• Before you vacate your property, you must ensure it is cleaned to the required standard.
• Carpets will be professionally steam-cleaned after you vacate. Carpet cleaning will be arranged by DHA and the cost will be deducted from your salary by Defence.

Identify non-fair wear-and-tear

• You will be responsible for repairing any damage to the property as a result of non-fair wear-and-tear.
• DHA will provide you with an opportunity to repair the damage to the property, these items will be identified as potential tenant charges on the Inspection Condition Report and available in Online Services.
• If you do not repair the damage prior to vacating or you choose to have the repairs carried out by a DHA contractor, these items will be identified as a tenant charge on the Inspection Condition Report and Online Services
• DHA may undertake a 2^nd Inspection to confirm damages have been repaired to a professional standard.

Explain the operation of the lock box

• You will be shown the location, operation and code of the lock box.
• On the day you move out of your property, you will be asked to place the keys in the lock box.

Address any concerns you may have with vacating the property

Discuss any concerns you have with vacating the property.

You will be required to sign and accept the Inspection Condition Report including the identified tenant charges regardless of any disputes including if you do not agree with the charge.

Dispute a tenant charge

If you do not agree with the tenant charges identified at an inspection, you are able to dispute the charge. You are required to acknowledge the completion of the inspection and your responsibilities as the occupant by signing the ICR.

Once the inspection is finalised you will need to complete a Details of Dispute form, clearly outlining your reasons for disputing the charges. You must complete the dispute form and submit it to DHA within 30 days. Your reasons must be valid and relevant to your dispute.

The dispute will be investigated by DHA and your regional Defence Relocations Housing Manager. Once the investigation is complete you will be advised of the result.

If a Details of Dispute form is not submitted within 30 days, the charges will be converted to a tenant charge and the cost recovered as elected.

A 2nd Inspection may be conducted 1-5 days prior to uplift. The purpose of the inspection is to review the potential tenant charges, and if they have been rectified to a professional standard. Items not completed will be converted to a tenant charge.

Cleaning

1 – 2 weeks prior to uplift you should ensure the property is cleaned to the required standard. A cleaning checklist is provided at the end of this section.

You do not need to clean the area where your large appliances and pieces of furniture have been located.

After you have vacated, the property will be prepared for the new occupants which includes steam clean of carpets.

Keys, locks and remotes

On the day you vacate you need to put one set of keys in the lock box provided.

Place remaining keys (and any other security devices and remotes) in the top kitchen drawer.

NOTE: DHA do not hold spare keys to the property. You will be responsible for the cost of replacement keys and/or gaining access if they are not left in the lock box when you move out.

Tip: If you experience any issues with the lockbox on the day of vacating, please call DHA.

Disconnection of utility services

When you vacate, you will need to disconnect and pay the final utility bills. If you do not notify your provider, you will be liable for any ongoing charges.

Mail redirection

You must arrange the redirection of all personal mail. Contact Australia Post for information on mail redirection services.

Rubbish skips

If you arrange additional rubbish collection such as a skip bin, payment and collection must be finalised before your uplift.

Any damage caused to the property by contractors or skips will be considered non-fair wear-and-tear.

Removal of furniture and effects

On the day of uplift, please clearly identify any non-fixed items that are to remain at the property such as:

• remotes, keys, heaters, clothes dryers, user manuals.

We suggest placing all small items that are to remain at the property in the kitchen drawers to avoid being packed by the removalists.

Ensure all personal effects and furniture have been removed from the property. If any personal items are left at the property and you cannot arrange for their collection, you will be charged for removal and disposal.

Concealed damage

If concealed damage (ie behind a cupboard) is identified after you vacate the property this is considered as non-fair wear-and-tear.

DHA will contact you to discuss the repairs required.

Contractor damage to the property

If the removals contractor causes damage to the property, it must be recorded on the contractor’s inventory form before they leave the property; you should also request a copy for yourself.

The damage must then be reported to Toll Transitions who will issue you with a reference number.

If the contactor refuses to record and accept the responsibility, you should contact Toll Transitions immediately and take photographic evidence where possible.

Cleaning standards have been agreed between DHA, Defence and Defence Families of Australia. Please note that you will be responsible for any associated costs for extra cleaning if you have not met the required cleaning standard.

General cleaning of outside areas: 1-2 weeks before uplift

You must ensure that:

• you continue to water all gardens and lawns until the day of uplift, subject to local council watering directives
• all garden beds, lawns and paths are weeded
• shrubs and trees are trimmed back from the house, gutters, clothesline and pathways
• lawns are mowed and edges trimmed
• garden clippings and household rubbish are removed
• wet grease and oil stains are to be cleaned off the driveway and parking areas
• arrangements are made for the collection of any skip bins
• rubbish is removed and the bins are cleaned and secured in the garage or garden shed
• the residence and grounds are free from pest infestations stemming from pets
• the garage is swept out
• all gutters that can be reached with a standard 1.8 metre step ladder are cleaned.
  

General cleaning of internal rooms: 2-3 days before uplift

You are required to:

• vacuum all carpeted floor areas
• sweep and mop any non-carpeted floors
• remove all rubbish from the property and surrounding grounds
• clean heating and cooling filters
• replace all blown light globes
• replace flat batteries in all remotes.

You do not need to re-clean the floors after your uplift.

Wet areas

• As close as possible to your uplift, you are required to clean all wet areas thoroughly, removing mildew and soap scum.
• On the day of uplift you must ensure that the toilet and shower areas are clean.

Kitchen

• You are required to remove food residue and grease from sinks, splashbacks and bench tops.
• The hot plates, oven, grill, range hood and filters must be cleaned before uplift to remove all burnt on deposits and grease.
• Place sink plugs under the sink to ensure they are not packed at uplift.

NOTE: The Pre-Vacation Inspection cleaning standard is intended to be a reasonable starting point for us to prepare the property for the next occupant. Your Property Manager is available to discuss these cleaning standards with you at any time.

Self-move cleaning checklist

If you are undertaking a self-funded move, refer to the self-move cleaning checklist (PDF 79KB).