Military Clause in rental contracts

[illinijoe05]

Ok from what I agther via search florida has mandatory military clauses in every rental contract. SO my question is this. If I and some other roomates were to sign a 12 mo lease during api and then wanted to leave when we got follow on orders to whiting corpus or vance would this void the entire lease or would any roomates who happen to be nfos still have to come up with the rest of the cash?

 

[crysmc]

That would be a really messy situation. I wouldn't try it at Marcus Pointe Apartments. My husband got follow on orders to Corpus when we lived there and although we were let out under the military clause, we got stuck with "redecorating fees" (of about $350) for living there less than 6 months. Yes, we got in touch with JAG, and yes, they got in touch with Marcus Pointe. But no, JAG couldn't do anything about it. I don't know what would happen in your situation, but it has bad news written all over it in my opinion.

 

[zippy]

Ok from what I agther via search florida has mandatory military clauses in every rental contract. SO my question is this. If I and some other roomates were to sign a 12 mo lease during api and then wanted to leave when we got follow on orders to whiting corpus or vance would this void the entire lease or would any roomates who happen to be nfos still have to come up with the rest of the cash?

Governor's Gate is pretty flexible with this. If a roomate leaves using military clause, you have 30 days to leave yourself. Or, you can replace the roomate or downgrade to a smaller apartment (if any are available of course).

I would talk to the individual places you are looking to live though. Things aren't always the same everywhere.

 

[Fmr1833]

Marcus Pointe Grand folkes are Nazis. As for the original question, I asked the office folkes at my place (Village at Southern Oaks - whom I recommend) and they said that if some of the roomates were staying, then they would either have to come up with the rest of the rent or find a roomate that was approved through the application process. It happens all the time, but don't go thinking that one guy (or gal) having orders will cover the whole lease. Here's what the clause at Southern Oaks says:

In case Resident enters extended active duty with the armed forces of the U.S, Resident or spouse may cancel this Lease Agreement by giving Landlord a thirty (30) day written notice under the following conditions:

1. If the service member has received official orders transferring him or her to a duty staion more than 50 miles as traveled by automobile from the main gate of the service members duty station.

2. If the service member retires or is voluntarily or involuntarily separated from active duty in the armed services of the U.S.

3. If the service member dies during the term of the lease.

4. Resident shall provide Landlord a certified copy of orders to active duty and shall comply with all other provisions of this Lease Agreement to the effective date of the cancellation. Management must receive said orders prior to vacating.

5. Residents with orders shall be released from this Lease Agreement including spouse and dependents, NOT co-residents. Co-resident(s) have the option to add roommate(s) to the said Lease Agreement or transfer to a smaller apartment providing the length of occupancy in new apartment exceeds 90 days. A transfer fee of $150 will be due upon date of actual on-site transfer and original apartment must be left clean and in satisfactory condition.

Hope this helps.

Having had quite a few friends leave either for pilot training elsewhere or for involuntary separation (two guys) I can honestly say that these people take care of us. If you are nice to them, that is, because the girls in the office don't take any crap!!!

 

[snizo]

If the people are nice - no problem. Unfortunately, most are not nice.

The lease will probably not be broken - only the individual's place. The NFO's would either have to pay for you or find a new roommate.

To make matters worse, if you go to Whiting - you may not be able to get out of the lease either. Those apartment complexes know exactly how far Whiting is and you would only be able to get out of your lease if you lived on Perdido or farther from Milton.

You wouldn't be the first person to try and game any of those leasing agents, either - so don't bother. Just ask straight up when you get there (and get it in writing if they seem shady).

 

[Red2]

My lease (which is written for three people in a house) says that if one person moves out due to orders, the other two are on their own. If two move out, the third can break the lease as well.

 

[SemperGumbi]

Gov Gate is very upfront about any fees associated with breaking the contract early. And, like said, they will work with you. They have a lot of military there becasue word about them has spread like wild fire.

If you can get in there, it is worth it.

If they say they are full, keep calling. The "waiting list" doesn't usually work out, and frequently someone will call, get an apartment, and then discover that 5 of his friends are on the waiting list and still haven't got an apartment. As opposed to most places, they will bend over backwards for you AFTER you live there, as opposed to most places that will treat you like a king until you sign on the line.

 

[phrogpilot73]

I lived in two different apartment complexes while I was there - Lamplighter, and Creekside. At both places, if a roommate got orders the original lease was null & void. You could either sign a new lease for your current place, sign a lease for a smaller place, or move out entirely.

 

[snizo]

A lot of people say Governor's Gate is the way to go - but they still assessed fees, right?

If you don't mind living much closer to NAS P and farther from Whiting, try Fairfield Lakes. Just as new/nice as Governor's, but I didn't pay a penny for fees. In fact - I gave them 2 wks notice about leaving to come to TX, and they didn't even hold me to the 30 days that was stated in my lease.

and they have free fresh cookies in the leasing office, too hahaha

 

[squorch2]

One thing to remember - no matter what, you're allowed to terminate any rental contract upon receipt of PCS orders, thanks to the Servicemembers' Civil Relief Act , passed in late 2003. Specifically, section 305:

(a) TERMINATION BY LESSEE- The lessee on a lease described in subsection (b) may, at the lessee's option, terminate the lease at any time after--

(1) the lessee's entry into military service; or

(2) the date of the lessee's military orders described in paragraph (1)(B) or (2)(B) of subsection (b), as the case may be.​

(b) COVERED LEASES- This section applies to the following leases:

(1) LEASES OF PREMISES- A lease of premises occupied, or intended to be occupied, by a servicemember or a servicemember's dependents for a residential, professional, business, agricultural, or similar purpose if--

(A) the lease is executed by or on behalf of a person who thereafter and during the term of the lease enters military service; or

(B) the servicemember, while in military service, executes the lease and thereafter receives military orders for a permanent change of station or to deploy with a military unit for a period of not less than 90 days.​

As for the fees... well. You're stuck there. And for your roommates... well, when multiple people are co-signors of a lease and one of them terminates it, the other roommates are still on the hook for the remainder of the lease period.

 

[riley]

I have several buddies living in Austin Woods (just outside the back gate). They sound really flexible and will even allow cancellation of the lease if they get orders to Whiting after API.

Housing is crazy and demand is so high, you most likely can't negotiate on lease terms with most places. Not all apartments have the same lease terms, so by starting your search early, you improve your chances of getting what you want.

 

[SemperGumbi]

The demand for housing has dropped a lot (!!!!) in the last 5 months or so. A lot of it was still from the contractors being here post-Ivan.

 

[gregsivers]

A lot of people say Governor's Gate is the way to go - but they still assessed fees, right?

If you don't mind living much closer to NAS P and farther from Whiting, try Fairfield Lakes. Just as new/nice as Governor's, but I didn't pay a penny for fees. In fact - I gave them 2 wks notice about leaving to come to TX, and they didn't even hold me to the 30 days that was stated in my lease.

and they have free fresh cookies in the leasing office, too hahaha

I lived at Fairfield Lakes and when I told them I was leaving they just said show them a copy of the orders. I didn't have any orders til 3 days before I left, so my roommate, an NFO, showed them a copy of his orders for reporting to Pcola, and they accepted them. They were really easy about it, and didn't give us any kind of problems.

Those cookies were awesome, not to mention the pool table. And of the office ladies was hot, which always made for something nice to look at while playing pool. :icon_smil

 

[ElCidAv8tor05]

good places to live

from what I gather reading this thread, Govenor's Gate and Fairfield LAkes seem like pretty good places to live. Are there any others that you guys might recommend? places that are in good shape, good price, not too far from NASP or NASW, and are good to military people? My roommate and I are moving down in October (he's a SNFO and I'm a SNA), and because more than likely I'll be leaving Pensacola at some point during TRACOM, I don't want to live in a place that is gonna screw him if I get orders elsewhere. So any suggestions would be good. Also are any of these places dog friendly, I know Govenor's Gate is, but waht about the other ones? I appreciate your guys' help.

- "Easy"

 

[kelly]

We live in Kings Mill Apartments, they were great about us breaking the lease. We just had to show orders and that was it, if you can give the 30 day great. There are times though the Navy does not give you 30 days. Kings Mills were very nice, they have free cookies too!! lol. Plus my hubby always enjoyed the ladies in the office, while he was working out. lol

I just suggest you look at a few and ask them all the questions you have. We know a few poeple that live in Govenors gate, and had no problems breaking lease.