FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- This is the second installment of a series of questions and answers to help current and future privatized family housing tenants understand the differences between military family housing and privatized housing. These Q & A articles will help answer a majority of the concerns that you may have; also, they may help mitigate any rumors that you may hear. If you have specific questions that you need answered, feel free to call the Fairchild Housing Office. Here are this week's questions and answers:
Question: Why are the rules for privatized housing so different than what we are use to in military housing?
Answer: Under military family housing, the rules for management and control of your home and your living standards are governed by Air Force Instructions and Policies. Under privatized housing Balfour Beatty Communities is empowered through Washington state laws to establish policies that they feel are in the best interest of maintaining a uniform community environment that enhances the livability for all tenants. Some of the differences you will see are associated with pet policies, alterations to quarters, swimming pools, rents and deposits. This is why the lease is so important: it spells out the requirements to comply with in order to live in a privatized community.
Question: If I am locked out of my house, what are the procedures for getting a key to my unit?
Answer: Under military family housing, you were able to get a key from the housing office during duty hours; otherwise you could call Security Forces to have them let you in during non-duty hours. This procedure will change under privatized housing. Security Forces will no longer have access to the keys, therefore if you lock yourself out of your unit you will need to contact Balfour Beatty Communities. If a tenant requests the Community Management Office to unlock the door of their home, the following charges will apply:
a) The first lockout during regular business hours: no charge.
b) The second and subsequent lockouts during regular business hours: $25.00
c) All after-hour and weekend lockouts: $50.00
In all cases, a tenant or other person listed on the lease over the age of 18 must be present with valid identification in order to have the door unlocked. No one will be given a key to gain access to a unit.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact the housing office at 247-2341; the Housing Privatization manager at 274-2734; or Balfour Beatty Communities at 244-6500.