The Military PCS Process

Help your military tenants by understanding the basics of the PCS process and set them up for a great stay at their new duty station.

Listing your home on AHRN.com is the first step to helping military members during the Permanent Change of Station (PCS) process. Aside from providing a much needed home for military families, it’s also very important for landlords/property managers to understand your potential tenant’s PCS timeline. For military families, PCSing is a stressful and time consuming process. Many are moving across the country or across the world and do not have the time to research their new area before moving. Their knowledge about the new station may be very limited. Start your relationship on the right foot by better understanding what military families go through during a PCS and offering your expertise to help ease their transition.

PCS Orders

Military members can receive PCS orders anywhere from six months to just a few short weeks in advance. These orders are the first step in connecting your potential tenant to your community. Once the orders are received, the process of searching for a new home begins.  When you have connected with a potential tenant, it’s important to understand their move time frame so that you are both on the same page.   Once you are ready to sign a rental contract, be sure the contract incorporates the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), which contains provisions for exiting a lease based on the member receiving PCS orders.

In-Processing

As soon as a military member reports to their new installation, they start in-processing. Depending on the member’s preference, they could choose to live in temporary lodging before moving into permanent housing, depending on how fast they had to report to the new duty station, move distance, or several other reasons. During this time, which can last from one week to one month, the military member will be tasked with adjusting to their new station and finding permanent housing.  To avoid moving twice, military members typically try to secure permanent housing as soon as possible to reduce or eliminate the need for temporary lodging.

To help military members ease into life at their new location, create a move-in packet.

Suggested Move In Packet Items:

1. List of nearby stores, restaurants, schools, etc.  Add some of your favorite spots that way your tenants can enjoy some of your go-to locations.
2. Installation lending closet information because families might not have some of their basic necessities yet. So, they can borrow simple items like pots, pans, etc. before their household goods arrive.
3. Traffic insight and recommended route to installation, especially if your property is off the installation.
4. Nearest parks and attractions, so families can enjoy weekends and plan for any short trips that they wouldn’t otherwise know about.

Providing a resource like this can enhance your property manager/landlord and tenant relationship, setting both sides up for a positive experience going forward. With the power of word of mouth within the military community, this transition assistance can help to ensure that your tenants will recommend your properties to future new arrivals!