The military services on March 6 released a draft copy of a military base housing tenant bill of rights designed to give service members more power over their leases. The document is intended to give troops and families safe homes and hold privatized housing companies accountable, according to a statement. Under the draft, residents would gain the right to have landlord-tenant disputes resolved by a "neutral decision-maker." It would also give them the right to have their rent payments withheld during a dispute and be entitled to a refund, depending on the arbiter's decision; guarantee responsive communications between tenant and the landlord and maintenance staff; provide a housing advocate, as designated by the installation command, to provide advice and support to tenants; and give tenants the right to reside in homes that are in safe working order and meet health and environmental standards. The changes will be enforced "in the coming weeks," according to the Defense Department. Read more about the proposed list of rights on Military.com.
Pentagon Debuts Draft Tenant Bill of Rights for Troops
