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.