WEB SITE INFORMATION: click on the military tab for a listing for apartment complexes close to installations.
The Housing Welcome Office Pensacola Region no longer provides rental
information for mail out to incoming personnel, or to the FFSC
Relocation to be included within the Welcome Aboard Packets.
APARTMENT HUNTING
Finding a place to rent in a new city, town, or country can be time
consuming and at times overwhelming. Here are some helpful
tips that might make finding a place to live a bit easier (before going
out on your own, make sure you visit the Housing Office).
First what are your requirements? Before you start the hunt,
take some time to think about what you and your family members need in
a rental property. Are you concerned about schools, how far
you will have to drive to work, the square footage of living space.
How much can you afford? As a rule you should try to keep
your total monthly rental costs about equal to one month's gross
pay. This should include maintenance fees, utilities,
renter's insurance, and trash, water, and sewer
services. Don't forget school tuition (if going to a private
school), credit card debit, etc.
What types of rentals are available? Generally, rentals can
be found in the following categories: apartment, townhouse,
condominium, cooperative, single family house.
How do you find the right property? As a military member, you have
access to what is known as a Sponsor. These are personnel
who are already in the area and have a "feel" for what is available -
speak with them before you rent, or start looking on your
own. Your sponsor can save you heartache and a lot of time.
Tips on Leasing an Apartment: The lease is a written, dated legal
contract between the landlord and you, the tenant. It
specifies the terms of the rental, and the rights and responsibilities
of both the landlord and tenant. It should include: a
description of the apartment, the duration of the
lease. Leases are at a minimum, by Florida Law, 6 months in
duration, which means that if you leave before that time, you may risk
penalty fees. Make sure there is a "Military Clause" in your
lease agreement that exempts you from paying a penalty for breaking the
lease. Identify the landlord and the
tenant(s). Due date for the rent. After a certain
grace period (usually a couple of days), if you have not paid the rent,
you will have to pay late charges, which can mount up
fast. Amount of rent. Security
deposit. In order to discourage renters from damaging
property, the landlord usually requires a security deposit to cover
possible repairs caused by rough treatment of an
apartment. This deposit is returned to you upon your moving
out, that is, provided you leave the property pretty much as you found
it. The lease should provide you with a space for you to
write in any defects in the property before you move in - if it is not
listed BEFORE YOU SIGN you can, and probably will, be held responsible
for any and all damages to include those that were there before you
moved in. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU READ YOUR LEASE CAREFULLY
TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO HIDDEN COSTS OR UNREASONABLE RESTRICTIONS.
Always take your lease back to the Housing Office for review before signing.
The NAS Pensacola Housing Welcome Center (HWC) should be the first place you visit when looking for local housing.
The Housing Welcome Office offers a personalized and convenient housing
locator service. The Housing Office is located in Building
735 just inside the NAS front gate (to the right). The
Housing Office staff is available to assist you with all of your
housing needs. Hours of operation are Monday - Friday 0830 to
1600. The Pensacola Automated Housing Referral (PAHR)
Drive-Thru is located on the west side of Building
735. Inside, you will find printouts of available rentals,
brochures, and a telephone available for your use in obtaining local
housing.
Multiple Listing Service is provided by the local Realtors Association
and available at the HWC and are available M-F, 0830-1600, closed on
holidays and weekends.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Pensacola is considered a Critical Housing Area due to damage incurred
by Hurricane Ivan. It is strongly advised you leave your
family members in place until you locate living
quarters. Rents are high for community housing, and
temporary housing is extrememly limited. Rentals for less
than 6 months are almost impossible to find. Do NOT cancell
your renters insurance upon upon recepit of orders, transfer it with
you. You are strongly advised NOT to rent housing sight
unseen. DO NOT give a deposit to landlords, rental managers
if you are told there are no vacancies due to damage incurred by the
hurricane but will be ready in 2 weeks, 2 months - most of the deposits
are not refundable and if you find someplace that is ready for
occupancy you will might have to pay another deposit. Service members
are encouraged to arrange permissive TDY House Hunting to secure
housing prior to relocating family members. You may be
eligible to draw BHA based on the location of your dependents - you
must submit a chit through PSD Pensacola for Critical Housing Area
(CHA) pay. Check with your local PSD for more details on all
pay entitlements.
You are required to report to the Housing Welcome Center Prior to
negotiating any agreement for off-base housing (OPNAVINST 11101.3 and
OPNAVINST 11101.21 series).
Temporary lodging accommodations should be reserved prior to
arrival. Make sure you call for reservations upon receipt of
your orders, especially if you will transferring during our tourist
season (Mar - Sept.). Month-to-month leases usually do not
exist and you will be required to sign a 6 month lease. The
provision in the "Sailors and Soliders Act" which releases military
personnel from a lease in the event of receipt of orders is not
applicable to military personnel who are assigned to NAS Pensacola
under instruction for less than 6 months. Military personnel
who enter into a lease, with the knowledge they will be assigned
elsewhere before the lease expires, can be held monetarily accountable
for the full term of the signed lease.