The Rental Partnership Program (RPP) provides service members with affordable off-base housing.
In this article, we’re going to look at a more detailed explanation of this program and how it works.
The RPP
The goal of the RPP is to ease the transition for military members relocating because of orders. It also exists to manage some of the costs associated with moving. Service members receive reduced rental costs, pay reduced or no security deposit and pay little to no application fees. If state or local laws allow the use of surety bonds, they can be used to satisfy this requirement. Credit checks are minimal as applicants are approved based on End of Active Obligated Service (EAOS), Projected Rotation Date (PRD) and drawing Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) or Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA). Applicants need permanent orders to the area to qualify for these things.
The RPP permits Landlords to voluntarily obligate apartments, houses or townhouses for rent to military personnel. Housing units which are offered to the RPP are evaluated and qualified to meet specific military branch’s minimum standards.
Eligibility and Requirements
For the most part, all full-time active-duty service members are eligible to take part in the RPP if they meet these two criteria:
- They have a minimum of six months to one-year left on End of Active Obligated Service (EAOS) and Projected Rotation Date (PRD)
- If they’re single and they’re E-4 pay grade or below with less than 4 years of active duty, they must get approval from their current command to live off-base and receive BAH signed by an E-7 or above with rank/rate clearly stated
Benefits
Here is a list of the benefits this program offers:
- Housing inspected by HSC’s and pre-approved as appropriate and affordable for service members
- Discount of 5% on rental rates
- Waived of lowered security deposit
- No administrative fee and application fee cannot exceed $50
- Rent payment by allotment or automatic payment
- Lease cannot be denied to a service member because of a negative credit check
How it Works
The RPP encourages property owners and property management companies to offer military members a discounted rate on market rent, along with waiving security deposits, application fees, and other move-in costs. In return, property owners benefit from reduced marketing and turnover expenses when financially pre-qualified prospective tenants referred by the military sign, at a minimum, 6-month leases. Rent is paid through Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) on the first day of each month, ensuring a reliable cash flow. Participating in the RPP enables property owners to minimize vacancy days and provide an important service to the military community.
Military members, regardless of rank or marital status, from any uniformed service authorized to reside in the area can participate in the program. Each property owner enters into an agreement with the military installation, specifically tailored to meet the requirements of the local rental market. These agreements offer incentives to military members while creating a stable market segment for landlords. They are carefully reviewed by the legal office to ensure that the government bears no financial obligations and clearly state that occupancy is not guaranteed. The agreement does not obligate landlords to reserve properties exclusively for military members. Landlords and the military housing service center collaborate as partners, regularly evaluating the program and making necessary adjustments as needed.
