How to Live in Military Housing

Being able to live in military housing is one of the most substantial benefits available to service members. While military family housing may not offer the newest or most stylish homes, you can be certain that living on a military installation is one of the safest and most family friendly experiences available in these United States or abroad. Contrary to what those unfamiliar with the military believe, military housing is not free. In fact, the military member’s Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is withheld while the family is occupying the home, an amount that, depending on grade, location and number of dependents, can exceed $1,000 monthly. Still, living in family housing offers the soldier, sailor, airman or Marine the chance to live significantly closer to work thus reducing overall expenditures for work-related travel. Because family housing units are owned by the federal government, consider the experience similar to residing in a full service apartment community. Assuming you qualify for quarters, housing is available.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Know that one of the most striking features of any military family housing community is the constant presence of moving vans and boxes. Military families are always on the go, a condition that accounts for the high turnover rate of quarters on military installations. While such turbulence might be cause for alarm in a civilian community, it is a permanent and acceptable fixture in military neighborhoods.
2. Remember that when you accept your quarters, you’ll be accompanied by a representative from the family housing office who will tour the house with you and note any discrepancies in the building. Keep a sharp eye during the inspection and point out to the housing representative anything you notice. Leaky washing machines, buckling floors, insects; all such items should be noted during the inspection to ensure they are repaired or replaced, and to make certain you are not charged for that repair or replacement when you vacate the quarters.
3. Know that like apartment communities, some military family housing communities allow occupants to repaint interior walls and improve adjacent outdoor spaces. In others however, any changes made to the quarters by occupants must be undone; in other words, if you’ve painted the walls your favorite burnt orange color, you’ll need to return them to their original eggshell or government green before you move out.
4. Be aware that the military family housing office is responsible for providing all maintenance services for your temporary home. Plumbers, electricians, carpenters and even laborers are available to repair or replace appliances, water heaters, electrical outlets, switches, floors and patios. Moreover, your housing office also manages emergency maintenance services that can help you recover from situations ranging from power outages to floods. These maintenance services are somewhat less dynamic than comparable civilian tradesmen, so it is important to call for repair support immediately upon noticing a problem.
5. Know that the military family housing office also requires occupants to perform certain upkeep functions at their quarters. These tasks may include mowing the lawn, raking leaves or cleaning rain gutters. Failure to perform these chores in a timely basis may earn the occupant a non-compliance citation. Accumulating a specific number of such warning tickets may be grounds for dismissal from quarters. As a result, pay heed to the list of occupant responsibilities.
6. Enjoy the environment. Living in military quarters has advantages and disadvantages; however, the safe, secure and pristine neighborhoods make living in military family housing an appealing alternative.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the emergency maintenance number handy and remember that your definition of “emergency” may not necessarily agree with the one used in the military family housing office.
• Like any residence, consider adding renter’s insurance; in fact, some installations require the additional coverage.
• If you’re evicted from family housing because of failing to accomplish occupant responsibilities, you may be prevented from occupying another set of quarters for the duration of your assignment to that installation.
• Upon relocation, you’ll be required to vacate quarters. Your house must then undergo a detailed inspection by the housing office to ensure it is in presentable and serviceable condition for the next occupant. Make certain you allow sufficient time and financial resources to accomplish the task.

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