Building 5450
Strom Thurmond Blvd.
Fort Jackson, SC 29207

Fort Jackson home Page

Please Read The Security, Privacy and Disclaimer Statements

     Applying for Government Quarters - All incoming soldiers interested in applying for on-post housing must report to the Assignment and Termination section of the Housing Office with a copy of their assignment orders.
This section will process you in, discuss bedroom requirements, the availability of quarters and put you on the appropriate waiting list. Your position on the list is determined by the departure date from your last permanent party duty station. All persons returning from a non-accompanied hardship tour will be inserted just below the frozen top 10 percent of the waiting list.

Personnel eligible to apply for quarters are those in a PCS status, i.e. signed out from their last permanent party station. For waiting times, please use the Internet; go to http://155.75.104.15 / then select PCS Express. Phone numbers for On-post are 751-7561;7567/5331. (DSN: 734:XXXX)

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     Selecting a Home - If you can’t get on-post housing or would prefer to live off-post, select your home after considering the following:
Is the size adequate for your family with the possibility of additions to your family? Is the cost within your means?

Will the neighborhood be a safe, secure place for the growth and well-being of your family?

Will the location provide access to shopping centers, churches, schools and playgrounds for your family?

Soldiers on permissive temporary duty for house-hunting must report to the Community Home finding, Relocation & Referral Service before beginning to hunt. Remember to contact the Community Home finding, Relocation & Referral Service with the information about the home you select. CHRRS is located in Building 5450, Room 2057. Phone numbers are 751-7566 / 5187/7101. (DSN: 734)

Once you’ve made your choice, read your lease carefully before signing. Make sure you’re given a check-in inspection list noting the residence’s condition at the time of occupancy. If there are any problems when you take possession, have it stated on the inspection list with the landlord’s signature on your copy. Reviewing this will come in handy when you’re ready to move.

Once you do plan to move, have the landlord sign the list again. If this isn’t done, you may find yourself paying for damages when you leave. The Community Home finding, Relocation and Referral Service can provide you with other tips about smart leasing.

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     Civil Relief Act - Despite what many soldiers might believe, the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act does not permit military personnel with permanent change-of-station orders to leave a leased home without penalty. The act does, however, provide assistance to people who must transfer after signing a lease.

To avoid the problem, a military clause can be included in a lease which specifically provides that the tenant may vacate within 30 days of getting PCS orders out of the Columbia area. You will be required to provide your landlord with a copy of your official orders

The following wording is suggested for such a military clause: “It is further agreed by and between the Lessor and Lessee that in the event of the receipt of valid military orders by the lessee requiring his/her removal or permanent transfer from the Columbia area, this lease may be terminated at the option of the Lessee by giving to the Lessor thirty (30) days notice consisting of the number of days intervening between the receipt of such orders and the date of departure required by said military orders.”

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     Deposits - Landlords usually require a security deposit of up on one month’s rent in advance. Upon termination of the tenancy, this deposit may be applied to the payment of accrued rent and the amount of damages, if any, with the landlord furnishing a full account. If there are no damages or rent due, the security deposit should be fully refunded within 30 days of your departure. The military tenant should provide the landlord, in writing, a forwarding address or new address to which the refund may be sent.
Wise tenants protect themselves by noting on the lease all pre-existing damages or defects revealed by careful review of the premises. Naturally such a “bill of exceptions” should be incorporated into the lease prior to signing.

Dated photographs of the premises, inside and out, also may help resolve disputes. Every lease should require a joint inspection by the landlord and tenant during the final month of occupancy and should also specify that, to claim any part of the damage deposit, the landlord must furnish the tenant with an itemized list of damages, together with professional estimates or receipts of bills for repairs.

The tenant is not normally obligated to bear the expense of preparing the premises for the next tenant. The landlord’s oral assurance that he/she finds the premises in acceptable condition should be accompanied by the return of the deposit; otherwise, a signed commitment to return the deposit by a specified date is advisable. If a dispute arises, contact the Community Home finding, Relocation & Referral Service immediately.

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     Oral Agreements - Generally, oral agreements affecting real property are not legally enforceable, and for good reason. Such oral “understandings” frequently involve two or wholly different notions as to what was agreed upon. Frequently the result is needless rancor between tenant and landlord. For the purpose of clarity, the lease terms should be in writing, signed by both parties and witnessed. Each party should keep a signed duplicate copy for future reference.

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     Lease Renewals - Many leases contain automatic renewal provisions, effective at the conclusion of the original lease term unless the tenant gives formal notice of his / her intent to vacate.
Notice is required sometimes 60 days or even 90 days before a lease’s expiration date. Be aware of such terms. Some leases provide that the lease terms and conditions will seek a new long-term tenant or may raise the rent on 30 days notice. Landlords naturally prefer that their leases expire during the busy season when new tenants are plentiful, and may desire to set the lease terms accordingly.

Most soldiers know their normal tour lengths when they first sign leases and are then in the best bargaining position to stipulate the time for leases to be terminated. It’s too late to negotiate when the lease terms and the tenant’s tour are almost over.

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     Notices - Unless otherwise specified by the statute or lease terms, notice should be given on or before the date your rent is due. For example, if your rent’s due on the 1st of April and you desire to vacate on the first day of May, 30 days notice should be given on or before the 1st of April. Otherwise, the notice will probably not take effect until the first of June and you’ll be required to pay another month’s rent. All notices required by the lease should be given in writing. And don’t forget: Retain a duplicate copy.

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     Abandonment - Be aware that if you abandon rented property, the landlord may enter and take possession of the premises and seize your property. This measure may be taken to determine whether the tenant has abandoned the premises. South Carolina law states that if you’re absent from property 15 days after rent came due without payment, it’s assumed that you have abandoned the premises. For this and other reasons, it’s important for you to pay rent on time and advise your landlord or apartment manager of your vacation plans, temporary changes-of-station or temporary duty requirements.

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     Eviction - Tenants can be evicted from a property when the rent’s not paid, when the term of the lease has ended or when the provisions of the lease have been violated.

Remember: If the landlord begins eviction proceedings because the rent has not been paid, the acceptance by the landlord or any rent due will not waive the landlord’s right to insist upon eviction and will not represent renewal or extension of the lease. If you find yourself in this situation, call the Community Home finding, Relocation & Referral Service.

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     Alteration of the Premises - Under South Carolina law, you may not alter the premises or remove buildings, such as mobile homes, from the property without first obtaining the landlord’s permission in writing.

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     Off-Post Conduct - Fort Jackson and the City of Columbia have enjoyed a model relationship for many years, and the installation community is particularly proud of this fact. Therefore, off-post residency requires exemplary behavior on the part of all Fort Jackson civilian employees, soldiers and their family members in conducting business transactions, safeguarding of private property, meeting obligations and good housekeeping practices.
All personnel will abide by local laws and ordinances, and will extend the same respect toward local citizens and personal property as they do when living on the installation.

The following are reminders that could help you avoid tricky situations. Soldiers and their families are good citizens, and we want to maintain that image with the local community.

1. Pay rent and other fees by the due date.

2. Keep the interior and exterior of your dwelling in a good state of cleanliness.

3. Control your children and pets.

4. Avoid damage to private property. When damage occurs, make necessary repairs or pay assessments promptly.

5. Learn and abide by all house rules, particularly in multiple-family dwellings, such as apartment complexes.

6. Notify the owner or landlord of needed repairs.

7. Avoid disturbing your neighbors; practice the “Golden Rule”.

8. Give required notification before termination of occupancy. Leave your home clean and undamaged. This should be done even if it’s not spelled out in your lease agreement.

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