Fort Bliss Monitor

Housing office offers tips on finding a place to live

Betty Donley
Relocation Readiness Program Mgr.

On-Post housing

Upon receipt of PCS orders, Soldiers should report to the housing office for housing-referral services at their new duty stations. The housing referral office maintains rental and sales listings within commuting distance of the installation. HRO representatives can advise Soldiers on the availability of specific housing units and help mediate in tenant-landlord disputes when requested.

Leasing: the process

You may be asked to sign an application for a lease and to pay a deposit upon finding a place you want to live. This document isn’t the actual lease, so make sure it includes a statement indicating that the money you’ve deposited to hold the unit will be refunded if the unit does not become available within a stated time period. Get a receipt and a copy of the application.

Before moving in you may be asked to pay a security deposit, usually equal to one month’s rent. The cost will vary from location to location and is intended to cover the cost of any damages you may be responsible for when vacating. If you vacate your apartment or house in good shape — so that no repairs are necessary — your deposit should be returned. Keep the receipt for your security deposit or, if you pay by check, note “security deposit” on the face of the check.

A check-in inspection of the unit should specify the condition of the unit, and should be signed by the landlord and tenant. When vacating, this check-in sheet can be used to determine damages — if any — to be deducted from the security deposit.

The lease is a contract that defines the rights and obligations of both the landlord and tenant. When you sign a lease, you are legally bound to observe its terms.

Soldiers should insist that a military clause be included in the lease. This clause generally states that the Soldier can terminate the lease if PCS orders are received. The clause may not allow the termination of the lease just because on-base housing becomes available.

There is no standard military clause. The wording is a matter of negotiation between the Soldier and the prospective landlord. Before signing any lease, Soldiers should consult their legal assistance offices or housing referral offices.

Rental Partnership Program

The Rental Partnership Program provides military personnel — officer and enlisted, single and married — with affordable, secure, quality rental property.

To help military personnel moving into new areas and to help defray costs, the RPP encourages property owners and property management companies to give military members a “corporate discount” on market rent, to waive security deposits, application fees and any other up-front move-in costs.

In exchange, property owners save marketing and turnover costs when the military refers them financially prequalified prospective tenants who will sign 12-month leases. Payment of rental fees via electronic fund transfer ensures a dependable cash flow for the owner. Although no guarantee of rentals is implied, participation in the RPP gives property owners an opportunity to reduce days lost to vacancy while providing an essential service to the military community.

RPP programs are governed by an agreement between each property owner and the local military installation, and are tailored to meet the needs of specific rental markets. Ask your housing referral office for details.

Getting your goods

Upon arrival at your new duty station, call the PPSO to give them a contact number even if you don’t yet have a delivery address. On the date when household goods are scheduled for delivery, Soldiers must be at the delivery address from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Regardless of how well a carrier may pack your personal property, there’s still a chance something may be lost or damaged. If you discover loss and/or damag after delivery, you are required to list it on DD Form 1840, “Joint Statement of Loss or Damage at Delivery.” This form also is a notice to the carrier of loss or damage and is a receipt of delivery. If you do not list loss o damage on this form at delivery, you forfeit the chance of being paid for loss or damage.

If you discover additional damage or loss after delivery, you must list it on DD Form 1840R,”“Notice of Loss or Damage,” which is on the reverse side of DD Form 1840. The completed DD Form 1840R must be delivered to your local claims office within 70 days after delivery.

The amount paid to Soldiers reflects depreciation for age and wear of the goods lost or damaged. Do not throw away damaged items, as both the government and the carrier have the right to inspect the property before completing a claim.

If you think you are not receiving the quality of move the government is paying for at any time during delivery and unpacking, call the destination transportation office before signing documents and before the carrier’s representative leaves. At some point during delivery of your personal property, an inspector representing the destination transportation office may drop by to check on your delivery.

Note: Filing the DD Form 1840/1840R is not the same thing as actually filing a claim. Final claims against the government must be received by the claims office at your local staff judge advocate office within two years of the delivery date. Contact your legal claims office for instructions.

It’s a good idea to know where you want furniture placed, since movers aren’t responsible for moving furniture again once it has been placed.

For Children

Selecting new schools for children is one of parents’ major concerns when relocating. The following steps can ease the transition for parents and children alike.

• Contact the school liaison office and school counselor at the old and new duty locations for assistance.

• Visit Web pages for the state’s department of education and the county/district school system. If going overseas, visit www.odedodea.edu.

• Contact the housing office at the new installation to determine the waiting period for on-post quarters, as this may determine the school your child will attend.

• Be familiar with school eligibility requirements, especially for kindergarten.

• If you have a child of high-school age, get information on the gaining state’s high school graduation requirements and grading systems. Differences may affect your child’s class standing and grade-point average.

• Give the losing school adequate notice of withdrawal. It’s Army policy to in- and outprocess with the school.

• Hand-carry school records.

Additional Steps for Special-Needs Students:

• Contact the local Exceptional Family Member Program manager, who can help identify resources at the new location.

• Contact your local special-education counselor for information on what should be done prior to transitioning.

• Request copies of all information in your child’s files — evaluations, assessments, reports, Individualized Education Program reviews, therapists’ reports and related documents.

• Ask professionals who work with your child to provide letters about the experience and any recommendations or observations they may have.

• Request copies of all medical records.

• Call the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213 for information about benefits available to special-needs children in the new state.

• Contact the new school and arrange placement meetings for soon after you arrive.

Detecting trauma
While moving can be traumatic for children, most eventually adjust. Parents should seek help for children who exhibit a loss of interest in favorite things, a loss of energy or appetite, or a frequent desire to be alone.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	November 10 , 2004

<map name="boxmap-b4"> <area shape="rect" coords="0, 589, 120, 600" href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" > <area coords="0,0,10000,10000" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=&creative=92501&camp=8117&link_code=dl1&path=subst/misc/amazon-cobrand-cc/v3/marketing-from-associates-step1.html/ref%3Db1_assoc_29" > </map>	Housing office offers tips on finding a place to live Betty Donley Relocation Readiness Program Mgr. On-Post housing Upon receipt of PCS orders, Soldiers should report to the housing office for housing-referral services at their new duty stations. The housing referral office maintains rental and sales listings within commuting distance of the installation. HRO representatives can advise Soldiers on the availability of specific housing units and help mediate in tenant-landlord disputes when requested. Leasing: the process You may be asked to sign an application for a lease and to pay a deposit upon finding a place you want to live. This document isn’t the actual lease, so make sure it includes a statement indicating that the money you’ve deposited to hold the unit will be refunded if the unit does not become available within a stated time period. Get a receipt and a copy of the application. Before moving in you may be asked to pay a security deposit, usually equal to one month’s rent. The cost will vary from location to location and is intended to cover the cost of any damages you may be responsible for when vacating. If you vacate your apartment or house in good shape — so that no repairs are necessary — your deposit should be returned. Keep the receipt for your security deposit or, if you pay by check, note “security deposit” on the face of the check. A check-in inspection of the unit should specify the condition of the unit, and should be signed by the landlord and tenant. When vacating, this check-in sheet can be used to determine damages — if any — to be deducted from the security deposit. The lease is a contract that defines the rights and obligations of both the landlord and tenant. When you sign a lease, you are legally bound to observe its terms. Soldiers should insist that a military clause be included in the lease. This clause generally states that the Soldier can terminate the lease if PCS orders are received. The clause may not allow the termination of the lease just because on-base housing becomes available. There is no standard military clause. The wording is a matter of negotiation between the Soldier and the prospective landlord. Before signing any lease, Soldiers should consult their legal assistance offices or housing referral offices. Rental Partnership Program The Rental Partnership Program provides military personnel — officer and enlisted, single and married — with affordable, secure, quality rental property. To help military personnel moving into new areas and to help defray costs, the RPP encourages property owners and property management companies to give military members a “corporate discount” on market rent, to waive security deposits, application fees and any other up-front move-in costs. In exchange, property owners save marketing and turnover costs when the military refers them financially prequalified prospective tenants who will sign 12-month leases. Payment of rental fees via electronic fund transfer ensures a dependable cash flow for the owner. Although no guarantee of rentals is implied, participation in the RPP gives property owners an opportunity to reduce days lost to vacancy while providing an essential service to the military community. RPP programs are governed by an agreement between each property owner and the local military installation, and are tailored to meet the needs of specific rental markets. Ask your housing referral office for details. Getting your goods Upon arrival at your new duty station, call the PPSO to give them a contact number even if you don’t yet have a delivery address. On the date when household goods are scheduled for delivery, Soldiers must be at the delivery address from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regardless of how well a carrier may pack your personal property, there’s still a chance something may be lost or damaged. If you discover loss and/or damag after delivery, you are required to list it on DD Form 1840, “Joint Statement of Loss or Damage at Delivery.” This form also is a notice to the carrier of loss or damage and is a receipt of delivery. If you do not list loss o damage on this form at delivery, you forfeit the chance of being paid for loss or damage. If you discover additional damage or loss after delivery, you must list it on DD Form 1840R,”“Notice of Loss or Damage,” which is on the reverse side of DD Form 1840. The completed DD Form 1840R must be delivered to your local claims office within 70 days after delivery. The amount paid to Soldiers reflects depreciation for age and wear of the goods lost or damaged. Do not throw away damaged items, as both the government and the carrier have the right to inspect the property before completing a claim. If you think you are not receiving the quality of move the government is paying for at any time during delivery and unpacking, call the destination transportation office before signing documents and before the carrier’s representative leaves. At some point during delivery of your personal property, an inspector representing the destination transportation office may drop by to check on your delivery. Note: Filing the DD Form 1840/1840R is not the same thing as actually filing a claim. Final claims against the government must be received by the claims office at your local staff judge advocate office within two years of the delivery date. Contact your legal claims office for instructions. It’s a good idea to know where you want furniture placed, since movers aren’t responsible for moving furniture again once it has been placed. For Children Selecting new schools for children is one of parents’ major concerns when relocating. The following steps can ease the transition for parents and children alike. • Contact the school liaison office and school counselor at the old and new duty locations for assistance. • Visit Web pages for the state’s department of education and the county/district school system. If going overseas, visit www.odedodea.edu. • Contact the housing office at the new installation to determine the waiting period for on-post quarters, as this may determine the school your child will attend. • Be familiar with school eligibility requirements, especially for kindergarten. • If you have a child of high-school age, get information on the gaining state’s high school graduation requirements and grading systems. Differences may affect your child’s class standing and grade-point average. • Give the losing school adequate notice of withdrawal. It’s Army policy to in- and outprocess with the school. • Hand-carry school records. Additional Steps for Special-Needs Students: • Contact the local Exceptional Family Member Program manager, who can help identify resources at the new location. • Contact your local special-education counselor for information on what should be done prior to transitioning. • Request copies of all information in your child’s files — evaluations, assessments, reports, Individualized Education Program reviews, therapists’ reports and related documents. • Ask professionals who work with your child to provide letters about the experience and any recommendations or observations they may have. • Request copies of all medical records. • Call the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213 for information about benefits available to special-needs children in the new state. • Contact the new school and arrange placement meetings for soon after you arrive. Detecting trauma While moving can be traumatic for children, most eventually adjust. Parents should seek help for children who exhibit a loss of interest in favorite things, a loss of energy or appetite, or a frequent desire to be alone.