How to Rent Your House to Military Personnel

Renting a property to military personnel can be a beneficial arrangement for landlords. Military tenants often provide stability and reliability due to their consistent income and structured lifestyle. Understanding the unique aspects of the military community helps landlords create appealing listings and navigate specific regulations.

Understanding Military Tenant Specifics

Landlords benefit from understanding military tenant specifics. Military members receive a housing stipend, Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), which covers private sector housing costs. BAH varies by duty location, pay grade, and dependent status. Landlords can verify BAH entitlement through a tenant’s Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), requested during application.

Military personnel frequently experience Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, mandatory moves to new duty assignments. This leads to higher tenant turnover, as PCS moves typically occur every two to four years. While tenancies might be shorter, a regular influx of new personnel ensures steady demand near installations.

Deployments are another aspect of military life impacting tenancy. A deployment sends a service member to a different location for an extended period, potentially leaving the property vacant while the lease remains active. Landlords should be aware these absences are part of military service.

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) is a federal law protecting service members regarding civil obligations, including residential leases. Its intent is to provide temporary relief and safeguards for those serving.

Preparing and Marketing Your Rental Property

To attract military personnel, landlords can tailor property features to common preferences. Proximity to military installations is a significant draw, reducing commute times. Many military families also seek pet-friendly policies, as pets are integral household members and frequent moves make finding suitable housing challenging.

Family-friendly amenities are highly valued. Access to good school districts, nearby parks, and community centers makes a property appealing. Security features, such as well-lit areas, secure entry, and alarm systems, provide additional peace of mind for families, especially when a service member is deployed.

Effective marketing involves placing listings where military personnel actively search. On-base housing offices often maintain lists of available off-base rentals and are a valuable resource. Military-specific housing websites, such as AHRN.com, are widely used for housing searches. Listing on these platforms significantly increases visibility within the military community.

Crafting compelling listings means highlighting features that resonate with military families. Clearly stating distance to the nearest military installation, outlining pet policies, and mentioning nearby schools or family amenities makes a listing stand out. Including details about utilities and included appliances is beneficial, as military families appreciate clarity when planning moves.

Leasing and Legal Considerations

Crafting a military-friendly lease involves incorporating standard rental agreement elements while anticipating military-specific situations. While a “military clause” might be included, the SCRA supersedes conflicting lease provisions. Aligning the lease with federal protections prevents future disputes and streamlines tenancy.

The SCRA includes detailed provisions directly impacting residential leases. A service member can terminate a lease early under specific conditions, such as entering military service after signing, or receiving Permanent Change of Station (PCS) or deployment orders for 90 days or more. Written notice, along with military orders or a letter from their commanding officer, must be provided. Termination typically becomes effective 30 days after the next rent payment is due following notice delivery.

The SCRA also offers eviction protections for service members and their dependents. A landlord generally cannot evict them from a residential home without a court order. If a service member’s ability to pay rent is materially affected by military service, a court may grant a delay in eviction proceedings, often for 90 days. Landlords should be aware of these protections and obtain military status verification.

Tenant screening for military personnel should follow general best practices while considering unique circumstances. Verifying employment status involves requesting a Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), confirming pay and Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) entitlements. Landlords should conduct credit and background checks, applying consistent screening criteria. Requesting a copy of the military member’s official orders is also advisable to confirm assignment and potential duration.

Managing the Tenancy and Departures

Maintaining open communication with military tenants is good practice. Promptly addressing maintenance requests and being understanding of unexpected situations due to military duties fosters a positive relationship, helping resolve issues and maintain property condition.

When a tenant provides notice for early lease termination under SCRA due to a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) or deployment, landlords must follow specific procedural steps. Landlords should verify the provided written notice and official military orders to confirm validity. Once proper notice is received, the lease generally terminates 30 days after the next rent payment is due.

Calculating pro-rated rent is common during early terminations. If the termination date falls mid-month, the landlord calculates rent due only for days the property was occupied. Coordinating the move-out process should be timely, acknowledging military tenants may have strict timelines due to orders.

Standard security deposit return procedures apply, but landlords should be prepared for expedited move-outs. Ensuring a clear understanding of the move-out checklist and inspection process helps avoid disputes. Any deductions from the security deposit should be clearly itemized and align with the lease agreement and state laws.