Military life often means moving every few years. For many service members, especially those early in their careers, renting a house or apartment makes the most sense.
But finding military rentals requires some effort. Here’s what you need to know if it's your first time renting a house or apartment, from setting a budget to finding a rental near your new duty station.
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Determine Your Housing Budget
Most military members use their Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) to guide their budget and determine how much rent they can afford. While it’s a great starting point, keep in mind that BAH isn't designed to cover every housing expense.
“Many service members may not realize that the BAH isn’t intended to cover 100% of your housing expenses—95% is more accurate. That leaves the other 5% coming from the remainder of your paycheck. Is 5% a lot? As far as percentages are concerned, no. But depending on where you live, that 5% can equate to several hundred dollars.” –Tips for Living Within Your BAH
Expenses to include in your budget:
- Rent
- Utilities (water, electric, gas, internet, trash)
- Renters insurance
- Security deposit
- Gas
- Public transportation (if applicable)
- Groceries
In addition to cost-of-living expenses, it’s important to consider your financial goals, like getting out of debt, saving for a down payment for a house, and buying a car, as you create a budget.These goals will help guide your current spending and promote long-term financial health.
Another way to gauge affordability is to look at your rent-to-income ratio, which compares your monthly rent with your gross monthly income. A common guideline is to keep housing costs around 30% of gross income, but military members should also compare potential rent and utilities with their BAH and the rest of their monthly budget.
Decide on Your Rental Home Priorities
Rental options come in a variety of styles and sizes, from military base housing to rooms for rent, apartments, condos, and single-family homes off base. Determining which type of rental best aligns with your needs depends on your priorities. Ask yourself the following questions.
- Storage: Does the rental accommodate all of your belongings and gear?
- Furnished or unfurnished: If you don’t have furniture, is the rental furnished?
- Roommate: If you’re interested in having a roommate, is there space for a second tenant?
- Amenities: Does the rental include access to laundry, a gym, a pool, a golf course, and adequate parking?
If you're deciding between military base housing and renting off base, there's more to consider. Compare the total monthly cost, commute, available space, pet policies, amenities, lease terms, and how much flexibility you want before deciding which option works best for you.
Decide if You Want a Roommate
Do you want to share your rental with a roommate? A roommate can help reduce rental expenses by splitting rent and utilities; however, there’s more to consider before co-signing a lease.
Questions to ask yourself before making the decision (from our post 6 Tips to Help You Find the Right Roommate):
- Will the space accommodate everyone and store the military gear needed?
- How would you feel about a stranger as a roommate?
- Consider your stage in life. For example, a 35-year-old dad might not hit it off with an 18-year-old right out of basic training.
- Are you willing to live with different genders?
- Can you trust the other person enough if you have to travel or deploy?
Finding someone in a similar place in life, whether they’re showing up to their first duty station or geo-baching, is crucial to a successful roommate relationship—as is setting proper expectations to avoid uncomfortable situations down the road.
Inspect the Rental Home
Before signing a lease, do a thorough inspection of the property. Examining every nook and cranny helps protect your investment and quality of life.
Issues to look for in a rental home:
- Existing damages
- Ensure that all appliances are in working order
- Flush the toilets, check for leaky faucets, and make sure that the tubs and sinks drain
Document everything from a snag on the carpet to a dented wall with photos or videos to protect your security deposit when it’s time to move out.
Use our free move in/move out checklist to document the conditions of the property:
Read the Lease Carefully
Leases lay out all the expectations the landlord has for tenants. While some leases are generic and cover obvious rules like "don’t destroy the house" and "pay your rent on time," most go into more detail, discussing variables such as:
- Maintenance policies
- Lease terms and penalties
- Security deposits
- Utilities and rent inclusions
- Pet policies
- Renovation plans
These details help determine whether this military rental is a good fit for you. Landlords are entitled to security deposits to protect their property from destructive tenants. However, the amount and whether or not it’s refundable is up to the landlord, as long as it doesn’t exceed state laws.
Some landlords include utilities in rent to avoid switching over accounts for each new renter, while others let you handle this. If you’re a military member and unsure of how long you’ll be stationed in this location, it might be worth checking to see the landlord’s extension policy and whether or not there’s wiggle room while you figure out your next step.
While the military clause is nice to have because it shows the landlord understands the military lifestyle, it isn't necessary to receive the protections provided by the SCRA. Qualifying service members may terminate a residential lease after receiving PCS orders, deployment orders for at least 90 days, or separation or retirement orders, provided they follow the required notice procedures.
Reminder: Military members may be required to check in with the housing office before renting a house off base. They will have a list of off-limits housing or banned areas if that's applicable.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Military Rentals
What's the best way for military members to search for rental homes near a new duty station?
Start your rental search as soon as you know where you're headed and have a good idea of your report date. The best way to search for rental homes is to compare listings near the installation, research commute times and neighborhoods, and check with the installation housing office for local guidance or off-limits areas.
MilitaryByOwner lets you search for homes near military installations and connect directly with landlords and property managers advertising to the military community.
How do I calculate how much rent I can afford using my rent-to-income ratio and BAH?
To calculate your rent-to-income ratio, divide your monthly rent by your gross monthly income and multiply by 100. Around 30% is a commonly used affordability guideline, but it shouldn't be your only consideration.
Compare the rent and expected utility costs with your BAH, then factor in transportation, insurance, groceries, debt payments, savings goals, and other monthly expenses before deciding what you can comfortably afford.
What should first-time renters consider when choosing between base housing and renting off base?
Compare more than the monthly rent. Look at commute time, utilities, available space, amenities, pet policies, neighborhood, maintenance responsibilities, lease terms, and availability. Military base housing may offer convenience and proximity to work, while renting off base can provide more choices in location, housing type, and amenities. The right option depends on your budget, household needs, and priorities.
Finding the right rental takes a little research, but knowing your budget, priorities, and lease terms can make the process much smoother. Whether you choose base housing or a rental off base, the goal is to find a home that works for your needs, your finances, and your next assignment.
Start your rental home search here with MilitaryByOwner, where you’ll find rentals near military installations across the U.S.
