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Frequently Asked Questions

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: The partnership will pay for your move. Your transfer of cable and telephone will also be reimbursed.
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 until separately metered and monitored for one year to determine the average utility usage.  At that point, your rent would be reduced by 110% of the average utility allowance.  The resident would then retain that in their pay and would become financially responsible to the utility provider for their own gas and electric consumption. 
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 two to three years.
Miscellaneous Questions
Q: Will I still be required to mow my yard?
A: Residents will only be required to mow inside their fenced back yards.
Q: Are RVs and boats permitted in Privatized Housing?
A: Parking for recreational vehicles, boats and trailers are not permitted in the neighborhoods.  Recreational vehicles will be allowed 12 hours before and after use.  Unregistered, inoperable, unlicensed or abandoned vehicles may not be parked in the neighborhoods.  Violators will be ticketed by the Security Forces and be subject to having their vehicles towed away at the resident's expense.  At no times are vehicles to be left up 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 BAH impact the Free Lunch Program?
A: You may contact your State Program for information.
Q: How will we learn more about the MHPI project?
A: We will communicate important and immediate updates through town hall meetings, newsletters, fliers and our website.
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. We will stock Self Help where residents can obtain common yard materials and tools as well as fluorescent bulbs.  You may visit Self-Help at 2002 Begonia. 
Q: Are provisions being made for exceptional family members in Privatized Housing?
A: The program requires that 5% of the homes meet accessibility standards.  Additionally, the Community Manager will ensure that each family requirements are discussed and a plan developed to meet their individual needs.
Payment Questions
Q: If both spouses are service members, do they both "forfeit" BAH rent?
A: BAH is collected only from the most senior service member with dependent rate.
Q: If my rent is late, do I need to pay a late fee?
A: If rent is not received by the 5th of the month, a $25 late fee will be charged.  If the rent is late at no fault of the resident, the fee will be waived.
Q: How much is my rent?
A: The amount of your rent is set at your BAH with dependents 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 dependents. 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: Will I start to receive BAH?
A: All eligible military members assigned to Altus AFB will see BAH on their Leave and Earnings Statements beginning February 1, 2007.
Q: Now that BAH is noted on my LES, is this amount taxable?
A: No, BAH is not taxable.
Q: What does my rent include?
A: Your rent will include your electric, gas, water and sewer.  It also includes a Personal Property insurance policy to cover your personal belongings up to $20,000 with a $250 deductible and $100,000 General Liability insurance policy.
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 your pro-rated rent 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: The month will be divided in to 30 equal periods, despite the numbers of days in any given month.  The rent will be assessed only for the days you lived in housing.
Q: How will I pay rent?
A:

For Service Members in the Army, Navy and Air Force:
When you sign your lease, you will also sign a "Payment by Allotment” form.  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. 

Deployment Questions
Q: What happens if I am on the wait list and I am deployed?
A: Please make sure we have contact phone numbers for your spouse that we may call when your wait list number comes up.  Your spouse may sign for housing on base but will need a Special Power of Attorney allowing them to start allotment for your BAH, as well as pay the pro-rated rent.  Please also make sure your spouse knows how to contact and set up your transportation appointment.
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 will be your new eligility date.
Q: What do I do if my allotment is stopped for any reason during my deployment?
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've missed your allotment would be due immediately.  Your spouse may come to the Community Management Office to pay this directly.  Please contact our office, or have Rear Detachment contact our office, if this occurs.  If this becomes a reoccurring situation and Balfour Beatty Communities is not contacted, we may conclude that your home has been abandoned and contact your unit to clear it.
Q: What if I am a single parent and I am deployed?  Can I appoint someone to occupy my home to take care of my children?
A: Yes. We will need an Exception to Policy document filled out with point of contact information as well as a copy of the paperwork showing you've given temporary guardianship of your child/children to your appointee.
Q: What if I am deployed and my family wants to visit relatives for an extended period of time?
A: We will need your spouse to come to our office and fill out a Point of Contact form with the phone numbers of where the spouse can be reached in case of an 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.  You will still be held responsible for cutting grass in a fenced yard or designate someone to do it for you. 
Q: What if I decide to move off base before/during my deployment?
A: We require written documentation of your status stating you are deployed for more than 90 days as well as a 30-day written Notice to Vacate.  The spouse will also need a Power of Attorney to clear if the service member is not present. 
Q: If I currently live in housing on base, do you need any additional information from me 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.
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.  Current residents will be allowed to keep their pets if they execute a Pet Addendum.  Residents are responsible for any damages caused by the pets.  
Assignment Questions
Q: What is the process for the waiting list?
A: Residents must apply for housing within 30 days of arrival.  If housing is not available, an active waiting list by grade and number of bedrooms will be established.  The waiting list will be posted at the Balfour Beatty Communities Management Office as well as on the website.  It will be updated weekly.
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 go to the Community Management Office to be placed on the proper referral list.  You may apply for a larger unit through the Community Management Office.
Maintenance Questions
Q: Who will provide maintenance for my home?
A: Balfour Beatty Communities will provide maintenance services.
Q: Who do we contact with concerns about maintenance issues?
A: Contact the Balfour Beatty Communities Maintenance which is located at 2002 Begonia.  Office hours are Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm and Saturday - 8:00am-12:00pm.  Or call us at 580-482-0073. 
Q: How do we make a maintenance request?
A: You may call 580-482-0073 or stop by our office at 2002 Begonia.  You may also initiate maintenance service by way of our website at www.altusfamilyhousing.com.   Emergency maintenance issues should not be made by way of the website but should be called into the office.
Leasing Questions
Q: What does my rent include?
A: Your rent will include your electric, gas, water and sewer. 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 days?
A: The lease contains provisions that will allow you to break your lease with thirty (30) days notice and a copy of the orders.
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 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 days month notice and pay a lease termination fee equal to one month rent/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. In this case, the lease may be broken.
Q: How will I sign the lease if I am deployed or on an unaccompanied tour?
A: Only a military sponsor can sign a lease; therefore you may provide a special or general power of attorney permitting your spouse to sign the lease in your absence.  If you are unable to do that, please contact the Community Management Office for further assistance.