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. The Community Management Office will provide you those standards.
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 Air Force one time.
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 110% of that initial utility allowance will be billed for that excess amount over 110% on a quarterly basis in arrears. Resident 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: 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.
Miscellaneous Questions
Q: Are RVs and boats permitted in Privatized Housing?
A: Parking for boats, trailers and recreational vehicles is prohibited in the neighborhoods. Unregistered, inoperable, unlicensed, or abandoned vehicles may not be parked within the neighborhoods. Violators will be ticketed by the Security Force and will be subject to having vehicles towed away at the Resident's expense. At no time will vehicles be permitted to be left on jacks.
Q: Will BAH impact the WIC Program?
A: No. BAH is not counted as income when calculating eligibility for this nutritional program.
Q: Will I have to continue to mow my yard, front and back?
A: Balfour Beatty Communities will mow all grass both front and back, with the exception of inside any backyard fence. If you have a backyard fence, you will still be responsible for keeping the yard mowed and trimmed to community standards.
Q: Will BAH impact the Free Lunch Program?
A: You may contact your State Program for information.
Q: Is there a self-help program?
A: Yes. Balfour Beatty Communities has on-site professional maintenance personnel to provide responsive care for every home. We ask residents to leave home repairs to these professionals by calling in a service request. Residents can obtain common yard materials, common yard tools and fluorescent bulbs at our Newly Constructed Self Help center located at 1898 Sioux Dr.
Q: If I currently have a fence, will I be required to remove it after Balfour Beatty Communities assumes responsibility for military housing?
A: Fences are now permantly installed on all homes being renovated.
Q: Are provisions being made for exceptional family members in Privatized Housing?
A: The RCI program requires that 5% of the units meet accessibility standards. Additionally, the Community Manager will ensure that each family's requirements are discussed and a plan is developed to meet their individual needs.
Payment Questions
Q: If both spouses in are service members, do they both "forfeit" BAH rent?
A: No. BAH is collected only from the most senior service member at the with dependent rate.
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 by the 5th of each month or on their due date is $25.
Q: How much is my rent?
A: The amount of your rent is set at your BAH with dependent 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 dependent rate. It is your responsibility to notify the Community Management Office within five (5) days of any promotion or demotion.
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: All eligible military members assigned to Luke AFB will see the BAH on their Leave and Earnings Statement NLT 01 Jan 07.
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 your Resident Specialist or the Community Manager.
Q: Will my personal check be accepted for rent?
A: Personal checks are not accepted. You may pay by money order, debit card or credit card.
Q: Will rent be prorated if I move out other than the last day of the month after fulfilling my lease term?
A: The month with be divided into thirty (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 do I pay rent?
A: Once your BAH allotment has begun, it will be direct deposited into your account then withdrawn to pay your rent. Once the allotment has started, your payments will be automatic and you will not be required to pay us in person. Unless your allotment has not started and you DO receive your BAH, then you will be required to pay via Money Order, Debit or Credit Card.
For Service Members in the Army, Navy and Air Force:
When you sign your lease, you will be asked to choose a payment option - either "Payment by Allotment" or "Direct Pay". If you chose "Payment by Allotment”, your BAH will 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 AETC Housing, LLC (Balfour Beatty Communities). You will see your BAH on your LES as an entitlement and as a payment to AETC 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. If you choose "Direct Payment" you will need to make your rental payments to the Community Management Office. You will be required to pay a Security Deposit equal to one month of rent and your rent will be due in advance.
For Service Members in the Marines:
The same applies as the answer above, however, if you chose "Payment by Allotment”, 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, if you chose "Payment by Allotment”, 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: The number of pets in a home is limited to two. Please contact the Balfour Beatty Communities Management Office for the exact pet policy before bringing a pet into your home. You will be responsible for any pet damage.
Assignment Questions
Q: How will the waiting list process be managed?
A: The Balfour Beatty Communities Management Office will maintain the waiting lists by rank and bedroom size. The Community Management Office will refer units as they become available.
Q: How will the Assignment process work?
A: You will go to the Community Management Office to complete your application. The Community Management Office will determine your entitlement (number of bedrooms) and you will be placed on the waiting list, you will then be contacted by the Community Management Office when a home(s) are available.
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: You may apply for a larger unit through the Community Management Office. Please contact the ommunity Management Office to be placed on the proper waiting list.
Deployment Questions
Q: What if I am a single parent and am deployed? Can I appoint someone to occupy my home to take care of my children?
A: Yes. We need documentation in your file regarding this, including an Exception to Occupancy document filled out with point of contact information as well as the paperwork showing you've given temporary guardianship of your child/children to your appointee.
Q: What do I do if my allotment for BAH has stopped for any reason?
A: Unless you're properly cleared your quarters, the allotment will automatically start back up the next month. The past due rent for the month in which we've missed your allotment will be due immediately. You or your spouse may come to the Community Management Office to pay this directly. Please contact our office if this occurs. If this becomes a recurring situation and Balfour Beatty Communities is not contacted, we may conclude your home has been abandoned and will contact your unit to clear it.
Q: What if I am deployed and my family wants to visit family for an extended period of time?
A: Your spouse must come to the Community Management Office and fill out our Point of Contact form which lists the phone number where the spouse can be reached as well as that of a local contact in case of emergency. Your BAH allotment must stay with Balfour Beatty Communities. You will still be held responsible for cutting in a fenced in yard, or designate someone to do it for you.
Q: What if I decide to move off base before or during my deployment?
A: We require written documentation of your deployment status stating you are deployed for more than 90 days as well as a 30 Day Notice to Vacate form. The spouse will also need a special power of attorney to clear if the active duty member is not present.
Maintenance Questions
Q: Who provides maintenance for my home?
A: Balfour Beatty Communities provides maintenance services.
Q: How do we make a maintenance request?
A: You may call Balfour Beatty Communities at 632-935-2676 to report an emergency or to request maintenance repairs. Office hours are Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00 pm. There is also an after hours answering service available.
Leasing Questions
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 and $100,000 in liability coverages.
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 without penalty providing your orders are in excess of 90 days. You must still provide a thirty (30) day written notice and a copy of your orders to the Balfour Beatty Communities Leasing office.
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.
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) day written notice and pay a lease termination fee equal to thirty (30) days BAH.
Q: What is the length of the lease?
A: The lease is for one year and then continues month- to- month.
Q: What happens if a divorce occurs in a family residing in Housing?
A: 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.
Q: How will I sign the lease if the military member is deployed or on an unaccompanied tour?
A: Only a military sponsor can sign a lease. However you may designate a special power-of-attorney for your spouse or appointed representative to sign in your absence. If you are unable to do that, please contact the Community Management Office for further assistance