Housing: Lease Protection - Military Housing - Military Times

Housing: Lease Protection

The Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act protects renters in the civilian community. If a person signs a lease and subsequently enters active duty during the term of the lease, or if a service member signs a lease and later gets orders for a permanent change-of-station move or orders for a deployment of 90 days or more, he or she can terminate the lease by giving the landlord written notice.

It’s wise to ask the legal assistance office on base to review a rental contract to ensure it is consistent with local and state practices.

In the wake of the wave of foreclosures in the housing market crisis, a law enacted in 2008 allows the military to pay for local moves of household goods of military renters who are forced to relocate because their rental property has gone into foreclosure. Service members in such situations should contact their legal assistance office for help.

Section 301 of the Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act requires a court order before a military member or dependent can be evicted during a period of military service. An exception applies if the rent exceeds $2,958.53. That amount is adjusted annually based on housing price inflation.