Service secretaries: Tenant bill of rights will 'protect and empower' residents of privatized housin

https://www.militarytimes.com/pay-benefits/2019/03/07/service-secretaries-tenant-bill-of-rights-will-protect-and-empower-residents-of-privatized-housing/

Service secretaries: Tenant bill of rights will ‘protect and empower’ residents of privatized housing

By: Karen Jowers    10 hours ago

Following visits to military housing units, where they saw firsthand some of the problems military families are facing, the service secretaries have announced a joint tenant bill of rights to help address the problems. Included in those rights will be the ability for rent payments to be withheld from the property manager while the resident’s dispute is being heard by a neutral decision maker. Once a decision is made, it could result in a refund to the resident of that rent, which is generally the Basic Allowance for Housing.

The service secretaries made the announcement on the eve of a hearing where they will answer questions from senators about the chain of command’s accountability for providing safe housing for service members and their families.
(snip)

Among other things, tenants will have the right to:
• Safe and healthy homes and communities, with working fixtures, appliances and utilities and well-maintained common areas.
• A housing advocate designated by the installation chain of command to be their advocate before the landlord.
• Effective methods of two-way communication with the landlord and maintenance staff, with honest and responsive communications from those staffs.
• Prompt, professional repairs. If life, health and safety repairs are not finished within 30 days, the resident will be offered a no-cost move into an alternative residence on the installation or in the civilian community.
• A process for dispute resolution, mediation and arbitration. A decision in favor of the resident will include a determination of any reduction in rent that’s owed by the landlord to be paid to the resident.
• No reprisal if the residents engage government housing staff or the installation chain of command regarding housing issues.
• Professional property management services that meet or exceed industry standards.