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 Community Management Staff will review the cleaning standards with you.

Q: If my neighborhood is part of the construction and I have to move, who will pay for the move?
A: The partnership will pay for your move. 

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 110% of this average will be established as the utility allowance. This allowance will be placed in a reserve account. You will be responsible for any amounts over the 110% average that has been established. You will be compensated for conserving energy by being given a rebate for consumption below the 110% average.

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 one to two years.
 

Miscellaneous Questions

Q: Are RVs, boats and trailers permitted in Privatized Housing?
A: Parking of recreational vehicles, boats and trailers is prohibited in all Family Housing neighborhoods. In addition, unregistered, inoperable, unlicensed or abandoned vehicles may not be parked in any Family Housing neighborhood. Violators will not be ticketed by the Military Police Department. At no time is any vehicle permitted to be left on jacks.

Q: Are provisions being made for exceptional family members in Privatized Housing?
A: The privatization program requires that 5% of the homes meet accessibility standards. Additionally, Balfour Beatty Communities will ensure that each family requirements are discussed and a plan developed to meet their individual needs.

Q: How will we learn more about the privatization project?
A: Balfour Beatty Communities will communicate important information to residents through town hall meetings, newsletters, flyers and posted to the website.

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 State Program for information.

Q: If I currently have a fence, will I be required to remove it after Balfour Beatty Communities assumes responsibility for Family Housing?
A: If you have applied and received a digging permit, the fence was installed within guidelines and if it is in safe condition, you will be permitted to keep your fence. 

Q: Is there a self-help program?
A: 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. Grass seed, filters and a small amount of touch-up paint are available to all residents. Please call the Balfour Beatty Communities Facility Maintenance Office at 940-613-0691.
 

Payment Questions

Q: If both spouses in are service members, do they both "forfeit" BAH rent?
A: BAH is collected only from the most senior service member at the with the depenent 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 in a timely manner is $25.

Q: How much is my rent?
A: The amount of your rent is set at your BAH with dependents.

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. 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: 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 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?
A: Yes, to determine your amount of prorated rent refund you will need to divide BAH by 30 to determine the daily rate. The rent will be assessed only for the days that you lived in housing.

Q: How do I pay rent?
A:
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 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 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: Pets are permitted in housing and a Pet Addendum must be signed. The number of pets in a home is limited to two. Aggressive breeds of pets are not allowed. A list of the agressive breeds can be found in the Resident Guide. Residents are responsible for any damages caused by the pets. All birds are to be caged. Pets must be registered with Sheppard Air Force Base and the City of Wichita Falls.
 

Deployment Questions

Q: What if I decide to move out of Familyl Housing while deployed?
A: We require written documentation of your deployment status stating that you are deployed for more than 90 days as well as a 30 Day Written Notice to Vacate form at the Management Office. The spouse will also need a Special Power of Attorney to clear if the military member is not present.

Q: What happens if my name is called on the wait list and I am deployed?
A: Please make sure we have contact phone numbers for your spouse so that we may call when your wait list number is up. Your spouse may sign for quarters on base, but will need a Special Power of Attorney allowing him/her to start the allotment for your BAH as well as pay the pro-rated rent. Please also make sure your spouse know how to contact and set up your transportation appointment.

Q: What do I do if my allotment for BAH has stopped for any reason while deployed?
A: Unless you've properly cleared your quarters, the allotment will automatically start back up the next month. However, your past due rent for the month in which we missed your allotment would be due immediately. Your spouse may come into the Community Management Office to pay this directly. If this does occur, please contact the Community Management Office or have your Rear Detachment contact our office. If this becomes a reoccurring situation, and Balfour Beatty Communities is not contacted, we may conclude your home has been abandoned and 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: We will need the spouse to come to the Community Management Office and fill out a Point of Contact form where the spouse can reached in case of emergency. A key may be left at the Community Management Office in a sealed envelope for emergency purposes. Your BAH allotment must stay with Balfour Beatty Communities during this time and you will still be held responsible for the cutting of grass in fenced yards or designate someone to do it for you.

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 do need documentation if your file regarding this. We will need an Exception to Policy document filled out with the point of contact information as well as the paperwork showing you've given temporary guardianship of your child/children to your appointee.

Q: If I clear quarters before deployment, do I have priority on the wait list when I return?
A: No. The date you reapply for housing would be your new eligibility date.

Q: If I currently live in housing on base, do you need any additional information regarding my deployment?
A: Yes. Please leave a point of contact for Rear Detachment with us in case we need to contact you regarding your allotment.
 

Assignment Questions

Q: How will the waiting list process be managed?
A: The Community Management Office will maintain the Wait Lists by rank and bedroom size. The Community Management Office will refer homes 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 proper Wait 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 home through the Community Management Office who will place you on the proper referral list. A fee may apply when you have a change in family status.
 

Maintenance Questions

Q: How do we make a maintenance request?
A: You can contact the Facility Maintenance Office at 940-613-0691 or place them on-line via our website. Please do not make any emergency maintenance requests on-line but call the office.

Q: Who do we contact with maintenance issues and concerns?
A: Contact the Facility Maintenance Office at 940-613-0691.

Q: Who provides maintenance for my home?
A: Balfour Beatty Communities provides maintenance services to all Family Housing homes.
 

Leasing Questions

Q: What does my rent include?
A: Your rent will include your electric, gas, water, sewer, and fuel oil for heat (please refer back to Utility Questions).  It also includes a Personal Property Insurance policy to cover your personal belongings up to $20,000 with a $250 deductible.

Q: What if I receive orders to PCS or TDY for more than thirty (30) days?
A: The lease contains provisions that will allow you to break your lease with thirty (30) days written notice and a copy of the orders.  Forms can be found at the Balfour Beatty Communities Management 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: What if I do not sign a lease?
A: Should you decide not to sign a lease, you must move out of Family Housing by January 31, 2007.

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 written notice and pay a lease termination fee equal to one month's BAH.  Form can be found at the Balfour Beatty Communities Management Office.

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 receives a signed decree by a judge, they must put in thirty (30) days written notice.  In these cases, the lease may be broken.  Forms can be found at the Balfour Beatty Communities Management Office.

Q: How will I sign the lease if the military member is deployed or on an unaccompanied tour?
A: Please designate a special or general power-of-attorney for your spouse. If you are unable to do that, please contact the Community Management Office for further assistance

Q: If I decide not to sign the lease and elect to move off base, will Transportation handle my move?
A: No. Moves for convenience/personal choice do not qualify for reimbursement from the government.