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Frequently Asked Questions

Construction / Renovation Questions
Q: How much notice will be given prior to the move?
A: All efforts will be made to provide as much notice as possible; however, there you will be given a minimum of 30 days notice.
Q: If I am moved due to renovation/demolition, will I have to clean my home?
A: The home must be clean from a health and safety perspective and the appliances must be fully cleaned, however, the standards of cleanliness will be less than for a unit that is occupied.  You will be provided those standards by the Community Management Office.
Q: What are the plans for new construction and renovation of current housing?
A: A combination of 354 newly built or renovated homes will be available for occupancy.  New construction has been completed.  Plans for renovations are being finalized and will be available in the near future.
Q: If my neighborhood is part of the construction and I have to move, who will pay for the move?
A: Your move will be paid for by the Army and by Balfour Beatty Communities. Your transfer of cable and telephone will also be reimbursed.
Utility Questions
Q: Will I have to pay utilities for my home?
A: Currently utilities (gas, electric, water and sewer) are included in your rent.  Once all of the homes in a neighborhood are equipped with electric and gas meters, consumption and costs will be tracked for one year.  An average consumption will be determined for each type of unit in each neighborhood and this will be established as the initial utility allowance.  This allowance will be placed in a reserve account.  Residents whose consumption exceeds 115% of that initial utility allowance will be billed for that excess amount over 115% on a quarterly basis in arrears.  Residents whose consumption is at less than 85% of the initial utility allowance will be given a credit for the cumulative savings at the end of their lease.
Q: How will heating bills be handled for duplexes with a common heating unit?
A: Residents will not be responsible for heat costs/consumption until the systems have been split.  In some neighborhoods, this will take a long time to accomplish, therefore, other utilities, such as electricity, will probably be metered and billed well before home heating.
Q: When will homes be metered?
A: Homes will be metered as they are built or renovated. There is not a specific timetable at this time. However, we anticipate that it will occur within the next four to six years.
Miscellaneous Questions
Q: Will BAH impact the WIC Program?
A: No. BAH is not counted as income when calculating eligibility for this nutritional program.
Q: Will BAH impact the Free Lunch Program?
A: You may contact your local State Program for further information.
Payment Questions
Q: If both spouses in are service members, do they both "forfeit" BAH rent?
A: No. The senior member's BAH will be used for the rental amount.  The other service member will receive their full BAH in their paycheck.
Q: What does my rent include?
A: Your rent will include your electric, gas, water, sewer, and fuel oil for heat. It also includes a Personal Property Insurance policy to cover your personal belongings up to $20,000 with a $250 deductible in any single event, except for flood, earthquake, or wind where the deductible is $100.
Q: If my rent is late, do I need to pay a late fee?
A: The late fee for rent and all other charges that are not paid in a timely manner is $25.
Q: How much is my rent?
A: The amount of your rent is equivalent to your BAH with dependents, at the Fort Detrick rate.
Q: If I receive a promotion or demotion, what is the amount of my rent?
A: The rent will increase for a promotion and decrease for a demotion. The rental amount is always the amount of the BAH with dependents at the Fort Detrick rate. It is your responsibility to notify the Community Management Office within five (5) days of any promotions or demotions.
Q: What is the eviction policy?
A: Residents may be evicted for non-payment, egregious acts, or failure to follow Community Policies. The Command will always be involved in all eviction proceedings.
Q: Will I start to receive BAH?
A: Military families living in Privatized Housing will collect the BAH with dependents at the Fort Detrick rate.
Q: Now that BAH is noted on my LES, is this amount taxable?
A: No, BAH is not taxable.
Q: Who is responsible for answering our payment questions?
A: You may direct your questions to the Community Manager.
Q: Will rent be prorated if I move out other than the last day of the month?
A: The month will be divided into 30 equal periods, despite the number of days in any given month.  The rent will be assessed only for the days that you lived in housing.
Q: How will I pay rent?
A: For Service Members in the Army, Navy and Air Force:
Rent is paid by Allotment. Your BAH will be wired to the Military Assistance Corporation (MAC) who is a contractor that collects allotments and remits these payments to vendors. MAC will wire the funds to Fort Detrick/Walter Reed Army Medical Center Housing, LLC (Balfour Beatty Communities). You will see your BAH on your LES as an entitlement and as a payment to Fort Detrick/Walter Reed Army Medical Center Housing, LLC. The advantages of payment by Allotment are that you will not be required to pay a Security Deposit and your rent will be due in arrears.

For Service Members in the Marines:
The same applies as the answer above, however, you are responsible for filling out an Allotment Form (DD Form 2558) and forwarding your copy of the DD Form 2558 to your finance administrator.

For Service Members in the Coast Guard:
The same applies as the answer above, however, you are responsible for filling out an Allotment Worksheet (CG PSC-2040). Balfour Beatty Communities maintains a copy of the PSC-2040 and you take the original signed PSC-2040 to your PERSRU Office for initiation of the rent allotment.
Pet Questions
Q: Is there a pet weight/policy?
A: Not currently.
Assignment Questions
Q: How will the waiting list process be managed?
A: The Community Management Office will maintain the wait list by bedroom size and rank of service member.
Q: How will the Assignment process work?
A: Assignments will be made based upon unit availability and your place on the wait list.  Your placement on the wait list will depend upon your rank and your eligibility date and the date you made application.
Q: Can a family be moved from a three bedroom to a two bedroom if they only have one child?
A: No. Once settled in, you will not be downgraded.
Q: What happens if my family size increases?
A: Contact the Community Management Office at 240-379-6518 to inquire about availability and to be placed on the proper wait list.
Maintenance Questions
Q: Who provides maintenance for my home?
A: Balfour Beatty Communities provides maintenance services.
Q: Whom do we contact with concerns of maintenance issues?
A: Residents may contact the Community Management Office.
Refer all questions to the Community Manager.
Q: How do we make a maintenance request?
A: You can contact the Community Management Office at 240-379-6518.  after hours calls will be answered by the answering service, or you can submit a maintenance request on line at this website.
Leasing Questions
Q: What if I receive orders to PCS or TDY for more than thirty days?
A: The lease contains provisions that will allow you to break your lease with thirty (30) days notice and a copy of the orders.
Q: What if I receive immediate orders and am not able to provide thirty (30) days notice?
A: The lease allows you to provide a shorter notice if you can provide documentation of your immediate orders.
Q: Do I have to sign a lease?
A: Yes, all residents will be required to sign a lease in order to protect themselves as well as the partnership.
Q: What if I decide to "break" my lease for other reasons, prior to the one-year expiration?
A: You will be required to provide a thirty (30) days notice and pay a lease termination fee equal to one month BAH.
Q: What happens if a divorce occurs in a family residing in Housing?
A: The policy is the same as it was when the Housing was operated by the Army. The first day that the service member resides away from the home, a thirty (30) day written notice must be submitted. The spouse and the family will be required to vacate the home within thirty (30) days of physical separation. In these cases, the lease may be broken.
Q: What do I do if the service member is ordered for an unaccompanied tour?
A: You must come into the Community Management Office with a copy of your orders and complete an exception to policy form.  You must also designate your spouse that will remain in housing as your general power of attorney.