Off-Post Housing
The Community Homefinding Relocation
Referral Services (CHRRS) is located in the Family Housing Office, Building
4463, Leonardwood Avenue. Personnel who want housing on the local
economy are required to visit this office prior to signing a lease or entering
into an agreement with local agencies to ensure that housing meets the
provisions of the Federal Equal Opportunity laws.
In an effort to ensure
that federal laws are met and to provide affordable, comfortable rental housing,
Fort Meade has established a Set Aside Housing Program. The program
reduces costs normally involved in renting by waiving the rental application
fees and security deposits. Rental fees are structured based on
current BAH entitlements and the monthly rent is paid through
allotment.
The CHRRS office has listings of apartments, private homes,
rentals/sales and mobile courts. Information on motels, furniture
rentals, neighbor maps, and other housing literature are available at the rental
office.
A current market survey indicates that monthly off-post rentals
begin at around $850, plus utilities. Signing an agreement without
first processing through Referral Services is a violation of current DoD
directives and may subject the individual to financial losses or personal
inconveniences.
Set Aside Program
Maryland offers a variety of
city and country living within commuting distance of Fort Meade. Due
to the population density, however, housing is at a premium and rentals are
among the highest on the east coast. An agreement between
installation officials and several surrounding community civilian apartment
communities provides service members and their families with affordable
housing. The leasing agreement, known as the Fort Meade Set Aside
Program, is for apartments and townhouse communities located within 30 minutes
driving distance of the installation. The great advantage of this
program is that the rent is paid by allotment and equals the amounts of your BAH
entitlements. This can be a real savings. Other benefits
of the program include:
no deposit, no credit check
guaranteed
availability within 48 hours
in most units, utilities are
included
NIOC Md was instrumental in bringing the Set Aside
Program to Fort Meade. It is a good program, that allows our
servicemembers to obtain affordable housing and meet the challenges of living in
this high cost area. Some of the townhouse and apartment complexes
include utilities in the amount they charge. In this event, a Set
Aside unit is financially comparable to living on-post. Some accept
pets, some don't. Your best bet is to go by the Housing Referral
Office, Family Housing, and ask for the most recent Set Aside
Packet. Plan your move and take time to investigate all of your
options. There are Set Aside units available in many areas, to
include: Odenton, Severn, Columbia, Ellicott City, Elkridge,
etc. Take your transportation situation into consideration when
you're deciding where to live. You may want to ask where other NIOC
Md families live in case you want to car pool.
For more
details, and up-to-date information and a list of available accommodations, call
the Housing Referral Office, (410) 305-1044 and ask for information on the Set
Aside
Program.
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MILITARY
CLAUSE
As a member of the military, you may be required by orders to move
on rather short notice or be required to move on post. If you enter
into a rental agreement, consider the importance of a military
clause. It will allow you to terminate a lease or rental agreement if
military orders require you to do so. A legal assistance
officer can assist you in drafting an appropriate military clause to
be included in your lease agreement or to be added to the end of your
lease. Remember, the military clause is for your
protection.
Sample Military Clause:
MILITARY TENANT: The Tenant is
a member oUnited States Armed Forces and may terminate this lease on 30 days'
written notice to the Landlord in any of the following
events:
1. If the Tenant receives permanent change of station
orders assigning the Tenant to a post, camp, base, or station other that the one
to which the Tenant is currently assigned.
2. If the Tenant
has leased the property prior to arrival in the area and the Tenant's military
orders are changed, assigning the Tenant to a different area prior to occupancy
of the property.
3. If the Tenant receives military orders
requiring the Tenant to move into on-post quarters.
4. If the
Tenant is released from active duty.
If the Tenant terminates the lease
under this clause and is in compliance with all other terms of the lease, the
Landlord will refund to the Tenant, within a reasonable time after the Tenant
vacates, any and all security or damage deposit held.
TENANTS'
SIGNATURES
LANDLORDS' SIGNATURES
Warning: Moving pursuant to military
orders does not release you from liability under the lease unless there is a
clause in the lease similar to the above. Also, the above sample
clause does not cover the situation if you voluntarily move into government
quarters, or if you are leasing only until government quarters become
available. For more information, call the NIOC Md Legal Assistance
Office at (301) 677-0877 or NSA Legal Services at Gatehouse 10, (301)
688-6533.