Congratulations on your assignment to the Kaiserslautern Military Community!
Kaiserslautern is a city of approximately 100,000 inhabitants and can be compared to cities like San Bernadino CA or Davenport IA, which is the �sister city� of Kaiserslautern. The neighboring countryside is farmland, rolling hills, and small villages. The climate is similar to the Pacific Northwest cool and damp.
ON ARRIVAL
Every military member arriving in the KMC must report to the Housing Management Office within two duty days of arrival for an initial brief (USAREUR Regulation 37-4). Failure to comply could jeopardize entitle ments. Housing Manage ment provides family and unaccompanied housing support to all US military, US civilians, and NATO personnel assigned to the KMC. The Housing Office is located at Vogelweh, Bldg 1001, a Satellite Office is located on Ramstein Air Base, Bldg 2410. Duty hours are 0800-1500 Monday-Thursday and 0800-1400 on Fridays. The offices are closed on German and American holidays, and from 0800-1000 the second Tuesday of each month for training.
APPLYING FOR ON-BASE HOUSING
If you desire to live in government quarters, please submit an advance application (DD Form 1746) through your Housing Office along with your PCS orders. Your name will be placed on the Waiting List effective the day you clear your previous duty station.
We offer Government Housing in three different locations: Vogelweh, Ramstein and Landstuhl. Our inventory consists of 3 and 4 story multi-unit stairwell buildings and townhouses. All units have 110 and 220 volt electrical outlets, built-in dishwasher, mini-blinds or rolladens and ceiling fans.
Townhouses have small private yards and an attached garage. You will be responsible for yard maintenance and snow removal whether you decide to live on or off base so you may want to bring a lawnmower if you already have one. Cable television is available at occupant expense (no satellite dishes or external antennas are authorized in base housing).
Other restrictions include a two pet limitation. Waterbeds and outside storage sheds are not permitted. Privately owned outside recreation equipment may be installed inside the back yards of townhouses with prior approval of the Housing Office. Schools and playgrounds are located throughout the housing areas.
POWER REQUIREMENTS
The electrical current in Germany is 220 volts and 50 cycles as opposed to 110 volts and 60 cycles in the United States. All economy housing has 220 volts. Transformers for use with small electrical appliances are available through the Furnishings Management Office (FMO) and transformers and 220 volt appliances may also be purchased in local AAFES stores. Departing service members often sell their used 220 volt appliances for a reasonable price. Note 110 volt table and floor lamps can be used with 220 volt bulbs.
OFF-BASE HOUSING
Approximately 10,500 rental units are scattered throughout 300 villages within a 20-mile radius of Ramstein AB and Kaiserslautern. One, two, and three bedroom units are available. There are units with four bedrooms and higher but are some what more difficult to find. Many landlords do not allow pets, so ask before making any commitments. Most off-base units now have built-in kitchens, but FMO will provide a kitchen range, refrigerator and kitchen cabinets when required. They also will provide a washer/dryer and bedroom clothes closets. (So please, whether you desire to live on or off-base, do not ship your large household appliances). Temporary loaner furniture is provided for up to 90 days. Housing Referral provides up-to-date listings of available economy units, translation services, and landlord/tenant mediation.
REALTOR SERVICES
Due to the availability of government housing and the number of economy listings, the use of a German Realtor (Immobilien) is usually not necessary nor recommended. Realtor�s charge a finder�s fee, usually one to two month�s rent and reimbursement by the government is rarely authorized. You must request prior authorization for reimbursement through Housing Management before signing a contract.
BAH/OHA/MIHA
Members who are authorized to live on the economy receive Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) and a monthly utility allowance (if utilities are separate from the rent). Members are also authorized a one-time Move-In Housing Allowance. (MIHA)
All service members are entitled to a 100 percent advance of required up-front rent payments and security deposits. Service members must pay back the advanced rent in 12 monthly payments. They may request to have repayment of the security deposits over $500 suspended until termination of the rental contract. Upon termination, of the contract the member is required to repay the full amount of the security advance.
TLA
Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) is an entitlement to partially offset the more-than-normal expenses incurred during occupancy of temporary lodging. TLA is only authorized until quarters, on base government or off base economy, are available for occupancy which ever is earlier. Member must report to housing in 10 day intervals with a list of units visited and the reason why they were not acceptable to have their TLA entitlements extended for the next 10 day period. Pet restrictions and preferred school districts do not qualify as reasons for non-acceptance of available housing.
DORMITORIES
The Dormitory Reception Center (DRC) staff assigns and terminates rooms for single unaccompanied E-1-E-4 (under three years of service) personnel. The DRC is located in Bldg 2413, Room 175, Ramstein AB. Telephone - DSN: 480-DORM (3676). Dormitories are managed under Consolidated Dormitory Management (CDM) and space is allocated to each organization to house personnel to ensure unit integrity.
Thank you in advance for your support in making the KMC a great place to live and work.
HOUSING OFFICE ASSISTANCE
Assistance Section (Admin. Section):
Assignment and termination of government family housing
DSN: (314) 489-6671/6672
Comm from US: 011-49-631-536-6671/6672
Comm Local 0631-536-6671/6672
Off Base Quarters, process of TLA, contracts, BAH/OHA)
Comm from US: 011-49-631-536-6671/6672
Comm Local 0631-536-6671/6672
Central Dorm Management:
Ramstein Building 2413 Room 175
DSN: (314) 480-3676
Comm from US: 011-49-06371-47-3676
Comm Local 0631-536-6671/6672