Construction / Renovation Questions
Q: What are the plans for new construction and renovation of current housing?
A: The remaining Scope and Site Plan:
The new construction at PICA is complete (26 new homes). The Project has six homes remaining to get renovated once the current occupants vacate. All other homes identified in the Initial Development Plan have been renovated.
Utility Questions
Q: Will I have to pay utilities for my home?
A: Currently utilities (gas, electric, water and sewer) are included in your rent. Once all of the homes in a neighborhood are equipped with electric and gas meters, consumption and costs will be tracked for one year. An average consumption will be determined for each type of unit in each neighborhood and this will be established as the initial utility allowance. This allowance will be placed in a reserve account. Residents whose consumption exceeds 115% of that initial utility allowance will be billed for that excess amount over 115% on a quarterly basis in arrears. Residents whose consumption is at less than 85% of the initial utility allowance will be given a credit for the cumulative savings at the end of their lease.
Q: When will homes be metered?
A: All homes are metered for water, electric, and gas (as applicable).
Q: How will heating bills be handled for duplexes with a common heating unit?
A: Residents will not be responsible for heat costs/consumption until the systems have been split. In some neighborhoods, this will take a long time to accomplish, therefore, other utilities, such as electricity, will probably be metered and billed well before home heating.
Miscellaneous Questions
Q: What happens in the event of service members death?
A: You must contact your casualty office and notify the management office immediately.
Q: How far is the PX, Commissary from housing?
A: They are walking distance from the Spicer East, Spicer West, Lenape, Middle Forge area and a five minute drive from the Farley neighborhood.
Q: Will BAH impact the WIC Program?
A: No. BAH is not counted as income when calculating eligibility for this nutritional program.
Q: Will BAH impact the Free Lunch Program?
A: Now that BAH will be shown on your LES statements, it may be counted as income which could impact your family's eligibility for this program.
Payment Questions
Q: If both spouses in are service members, do they both "forfeit" BAH rent?
A: Dual military will pay rent equal to the "with dependents" BAH of the higher ranking spouse.
Q: When BAH increases, what hapens to the amount of my rent?
A: The rent will increase for a promotion and decrease for a demotion. The rental amount is always the amount of the BAH. It is your responsibility to notify the Community Management Office within fine (5) days of any promotions or demotions.
Q: What does my rent include?
A: Your rent will include your electric, gas, water, sewer, and fuel oil for heat. It also includes a Personal Property Insurance policy to cover your personal belongings up to $20,000 with a $250 deductible.
Q: If my rent is late, do I need to pay a late fee?
A: The late fee for rent and all other charges that are not paid in a timely manner is $25.
Q: How much is my rent?
A: The amount of your rent is set at your BAH at the with-dependant rate based on the DPC for Picatinny Arsenal.
Q: If I receive a promotion or demotion, what is the amount of my rent?
A: The rent will increase for a promotion and decrease for a demotion. The rental amount is always the amount of the BAH. It is your responsibility to notify the Community Management Office within five (5) days of any promotions or demotions.
Q: What is the eviction policy?
A: Residents may be evicted for non-payment, egregious acts, or failure to follow Community Policies. The Command will always be involved in all eviction proceedings.
Q: Will I start to receive BAH?
A: Military families living in Privatized Housing will collect the BAH.
Q: Now that BAH is noted on my LES, is this amount taxable?
A: No, BAH is not taxable.
Q: Who is responsible for answering our payment questions?
A: You may direct your questions to the Community Manager.
Q: Can BAH allotments be automatically processed for each branch of service?
A: No. BAH allotments can only be automatically processed for those service members who are "Active Army". If you live at Picatinny Arsenal but are serving in another branch of the military such as The Marine Corp, Army National Guard, Foreign Military, Coast Guard, or any Military Reserve, etc. you must process an additional form or forms with your respective finance office.
Q: Will my personal check be accepted for rent?
A: Personal checks are not accepted. You may pay by money order, debit card or credit card.
Q: Will rent be prorated if I move out other than the last day of the month?
A: The month will be divided into 30 equal periods, despite the number of days in any given month. The rent will be assessed only for the days that you lived in housing.
Q: How do I pay rent?
A: For Service Members in the Army, Navy and Air Force:
Rent is paid by Allotment. Your BAH will be wired to the Military Assistance Corporation (MAC) who is a contractor that collects allotments and remits these payments to vendors. MAC will wire the funds to Carlisle Barracks/Picatinny Arsenal Housing, LLC (Balfour Beatty Communities). You will see your BAH on your LES as an entitlement and as a payment to Carlisle Barracks/Picatinny Arsenal Housing, LLC. The advantages of payment by Allotment are that you will not be required to pay a Security Deposit and your rent will be due in arrears.
For Service Members in the Marines:
The same applies as the answer above, however, you are responsible for filling out an Allotment Form (DD Form 2558) and forwarding your copy of the DD Form 2558 to your finance administrator.
For Service Members in the Coast Guard:
The same applies as the answer above, however, you are responsible for filling out an Allotment Worksheet (CG PSC-2040). Balfour Beatty Communities maintains a copy of the PSC-2040 and you take the original signed PSC-2040 to your PERSRU Office for initiation of the rent allotment.
Pet Questions
Q: Are all breeds allowed in family housing?
A: No the following breeds are: Staffordshire Terrier, pitt bull (american pitt bull), yankee terrier, rottweiler, chow chow, presa canario, trained guard dogs are NOT allowed in family housing.
Q: Are there any required pet cleaning instructions upon vacating?
A: Yes, you must have your carpets professionally steam-cleaned and with a pet neutralizer used. You must provide a receipt for this cleaning upon vacating.
Q: How many pets are allowed?
A: Two walking pets are allowed which are dogs or cats.
Q: What if my pet damages the unit?
A: You are responsible for the cost of the repair.
Q: Are pet deposit required?
A: There are no pet deposit required.
Assignment Questions
Q: How will the waiting list process be managed?
A: The Community Management Office will maintain the referral list by rank and bedroom size. A copy of orders and a completed housing application must be given to the Community Management Office before being placed on the wait list.
Q: How will the Assignment process work?
A: Bassed upon availability, assignments will be made based upon eligibility date, bedroom eligibility and rank
Q: Can a family be moved from a three bedroom to a two bedroom if they only have one child?
A: No. Once settled in, you will not be downgraded.
Q: What happens if my family size increases?
A: You go to the Community Management Office to be placed on the proper waiting list.
Q: What is the process for the waiting list?
A: Residents must apply for housing within 30 days of arrival. Assignments will be made from the waiting list in order of the date of completion of out processing from your losing post. If housing is not available, an active waiting list by grade and number of bedrooms will be established. Waiting list will be posted at the Community Management Office as well as on the website. The list will be updated accordingly.
Q: How long is the waiting list?
A: We encourage everyone to apply for housing immediately once they receive orders.
Maintenance Questions
Q: Who provides maintenance for my home?
A: Balfour Beatty Communities provides maintenance services.
Q: How do we make a maintenance request?
A: .Residents can call the Community Management Office at 973-328-2992 to report an emergency, or to request maintenance repairs. Residents can also initiate maintenance service via our website.
Q: Whom do we contact with concerns of maintenance issues?
A: Residents may contact the Community Management Office at 973-328-2992. Refer all questions to the Community Manager.
Leasing Questions
Q: What if I receive orders to PCS or TDY for more than thirty days?
A: The lease contains provisions that will allow you to break your lease with thirty (30) days notice and a copy of the orders.
Q: What if I receive immediate orders and am not able to provide thirty (30) days notice?
A: The lease allows you to provide a shorter notice if you can provide documentation of your immediate orders.
Q: Do all housing areas have fenced in yards?
A: Not all just Spicer East and Spicer West
Q: Do I have to sign a lease?
A: Yes, all residents are required to sign a lease in order to protect themselves as well as the partnership.
Q: What if I decide to "break" my lease for other reasons, prior to the one-year expiration?
A: You will be required to provide a thirty days month notice and pay a lease termination fee equal to one month BAH.
If the soldier is not being required to move, then the move will be at his/her convenience/personal choice. Move at Government expense is not authorized.
Q: What is the average square footage of all quarters?
A: Approximately 1300 to 3593 square foot
Q: What is the length of the lease?
A: The lease is for one year and then continues month- to- month.
Q: What happens if a divorce occurs in a family residing in Housing?
A: The policy is the same as it was when the Army operated the Housing. The first day that the service member resides away from the home, a thirty (30) day written notice must be submitted. The spouse and the family will be required to vacate the home within thirty (30) days of physical separation. In these cases, the lease may be broken.
Q: How will I sign the lease if the military member is deployed?
A: Please designate a special power-of-attorney for you spouse. If you are unable to do that, please contact the Community Management Office for further assistance
Q: What if my dependent status changes?
A: If a service member has a change in dependent status, the community management office must be notified immediately. The proper forms must be completed and submitted to the respective finance office for processing depending upon the member's branch of service.