Military

Active Military and Need to Break Your Lease if Deployed?

GCC Partners understands the challenges of housing and leases for our military personnel. In an effort to assist service members with regard to their lease under the Service-member Civil Relief Act, we have outlined some key points below.

Terminate Your Lease with GCC Partners Due to Deployment or PCS

Service members are protected by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act if they need to break their lease on account of a deployment or permanent change of station.

Understanding the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act

Your protection under the relief act begins on the date you enter active duty and generally ends between 30 and 90 days after the date of discharge from active duty. This safeguard applies to:

• Active-duty members of the regular forces
• National Guard members serving active duty status under federal orders
• Reservists called to active duty

Please note: The SCRA does not apply to civilian personnel.

Terminating your lease with GCC Partners

To terminate your lease, under the relief act and without penalty, you must:

• Provide documentation to us that you signed the lease before you entered active duty, and that you will remain on active duty for a minimum of 90 days.
• Provide us written notice of your intent to break the lease and a copy of your military orders, no fewer than 30 days in advance of your expected move.

If you signed your lease agreement after you began active-duty service, you may still be able to terminate it without penalty under the relief act if you:

• Received permanent change of station or deployment orders that will last for more than 90 days
• Provide written notice to us and a copy of your orders, with at least a 30-day notice

Here are the highlights of the SCRA

• 1. You must provide us with written notice of your intention to move.
• 2. You must deliver to us a copy of official military orders. If your orders haven’t come through yet, ask your commander for a letter that states you will be receiving active duty orders or a PCS order.
• 3. You must satisfy rent payments for both the month notice is given and for the following month. Example: If notice is given on March 15, you will need to pay rent through April 30.
• 4. When the above conditions are met, your lease is terminated 30 days after the first date of the next monthly payment due. If they are not, you may lose the protection afforded by the SCRA.
• 5. Of course, standard move out procedures for cleaning and repairs still apply. • GCC Partners does not include a “military clause” in their leases and instead relies on the guidelines outlined by the SCRA.
• 6. The best course of action is to let us know in writing as soon as you are aware of a change. Don’t wait until the end of the month you wish to move! You may be liable for more rent than you realize.