DPW Housing Division

Mission:

DPW provides our joint enduring military community with quality facilities, first-class services, programs that enhance mission readiness and foster a hometown neighbor environment.

• Contact information
• Housing policy
• In-processing
• Advanced housing application
• On post housing and eligibility
• Off post housing: allowances, inspection procedures, utility and maintenance costs
• Finding off-post housing
• Realtor fees
• Quiet hours and German rental law
• Furnishing and appliances
• Pet policy on and off post
• Recycling
• Army Housing Online User Services*
• USAG Stuttgart photos and floor plans

Housing polices

Mandatory Housing Assignment:

Accompanied: USAG Stuttgart is under mandatory on post family housing assignment for all personnel in grades E1-4 according to IMCOM policy. Sufficient units have been designated for this grade category in all bedroom requirements.

Unaccompanied: Personnel in grades E6 and below are required to reside in the barracks.

All personnel who are eligible to receive Basic Allowance for Housing [BAH] at the “with-dependent” rate are required to reside in government quarters unless issued a Certificate of Non-Availability [CNA] by the Unaccompanied Personnel Housing Office [UPH].

Bonafide bachelors: Personnel who are eligible to receive BAH at the “without-dependent” rate may choose to reside on or off post. A CNA is not required.

Temporary Lodging Allowance : TLA is for military personnel and is closely monitored. Certain criteria must be met to receive TLA.

Certificate of Non-availability:

Accompanied personnel in grades E-5 and above: A CNA is issued to reside off post when on post family housing is not available within 30-45 days of arrival.

Unaccompanied personnel in grades E-7 and above: A CNA is issued to reside off post when on post quarters are not available within 30- 45 days of arrival.

Unaccompanied personnel in grades E6 and below: Personnel in grades E5 or E6 may reside off post if quarters are not available or an exception to policy is approved by the Garrison Commander. In these cases, a CNA must be issued by the Unaccompanied Personnel Housing Office.

In-processing

All accompanied military and civilian personnel will in-process within two days of arrival to Stuttgart at the USAG Stuttgart Housing Office, bldg. 2913 at Panzer Kaserne. The housing briefing is approximately one hour.

Military accompanied and civilian sponsors: Bring a copy of your orders and all amendments. All aspects of housing will be briefed; therefore, spouses and family members are welcome to attend.

After the housing brief, civilians will proceed to their servicing civilian personnel office for Temporary Quarters and Subsistence Expense [TQSE] and Living Quarters Allowance [LQA] brief and authorization.

Single service member/unaccompanied personnel in-process at the garrison UPH, Bldg 3113, Bring a copy of your orders and all amendments. UPH is only for military personnel.

The Stuttgart Housing Office does not service contractors.

Advanced housing application

All Personnel: Complete DD Form 1746 Application for Assignment to Housing, sign, attach copy of your orders and email to hsg.stuttgart@eur.army.mil. Your losing housing office can assist you with this application. We accept applications 90 days in advance of your arrival date. Your name goes on the wait list the day you arrive, check into your unit, and in-process with housing. The effective date on the wait list is the day you signed out from your last post. Members transferring from a Dependent Restricted Tour receive credit, up to a maximum 14 months, on the waiting list. If you were TDY en-route, your eligibility date for the wait list will be the date you signed-out of the losing command before going TDY. We can’t determine your wait list number until you arrive. Nor can we determine if housing will be available at a certain time frame until you arrive.

On post housing and eligibility

Family housing [FH] is located at four bases in the Stuttgart area.

Patch Barracks, Kelley Barracks, Robinson Barracks [RB], and Panzer Kaserne, with 60% of the housing units located on Patch Barracks and RB.

Accompanied military: The garrison has approximately 1300 family housing units. Units are in multi-family apartment buildings locally known as stairwells. The buildings have three to four floors with two to four stairwells per building and no elevator. There are apartments with two, three, four and five bedrooms.

Three to eight families share a common stairwell entrance and outside area. Each unit is equipped with a U.S. style washer and dryer, in the unit or basement, refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher. There is no air conditioner or garbage disposal.

Units have both 220V and 110V outlets, one uncovered parking space and a storage unit.

Eligibility for on post housing:

Accompanied: Sponsor must be on accompanied tour orders for one year or longer, dependents listed on orders by name and birth date, excluding spouse, dependent travel status identified as concurrent or delayed, and DEROS.

Single family homes are for designated command positions.

Unaccompanied military personnel must be on PCS orders.

Contact Army Lodging for a reservation if you are TDY/TCS and authorized per diem.

The UPH office does not issue CNA's to personnel on TDY/TCS orders.

If Army Lodging is not available, the service member must obtain a statement of non-availability from the on post Army Lodging hotel.

Military reservist on per diem for six month or more must contact the UPH office for assistance with short term off post apartments if available.

Bedroom and authorized housing entitlements:

Accompanied:

Sponsors are authorized one bedroom per dependent not including the spouse. Dependents names must be listed on orders. Example: A sponsor with a spouse and three children will be authorized a 4-bedroom unit. Sponsors who are expecting a child will be authorized an additional bedroom for the pending birth. Medical documentation is required.

Unaccompanied:

UPH is located at four bases in the Stuttgart area: Panzer Kaserne, Patch Barracks, Kelley Barracks and Robinson Barracks.

For E-7 and above, most senior enlisted quarters[SEQ] and bachelor officers quarters [BOQ] are small one bedroom, furnished apartments with kitchenettes or a common kitchen per floor.

E-1-E-6 reside in the barracks with shared or private bedroom with either a shared bath or common latrine.

Assignments are based grade:

• Grades E–9, CW3, CW4, CW5, O–3 and above: 400 square feet net living area: living room, bedroom, private bath, and access to kitchen
• Grades WO1, CW2, O–1, O–2: 250 square feet net living area: sleeping/living room, private bath
• Grades E–7 & E–8: 270 square feet net living area: private room, private bath
• Grades E–5 & E–6: 135 square feet net living area: private room, bath shared with not more than 1 other
• Grades E–1-4: 90 square feet net living area, not more than four per room, central bath

SEQs and BOQs are limited. Rooms for grades E-1 to E-6 are usually available.

Off post housing

allowances, inspection procedures, utility and maintenance costs

There is adequate off post housing: apartments, penthouses, maisonette apartments [apartment on two floors], townhouses, duplexes, and free standing houses. Large homes or free standing single houses, with multiple bathrooms, large yards and 5+ bedrooms are more difficult to find and located outside the school zone.

The Stuttgart area is expensive because of a large competition due to the location of major industries in the metro Stuttgart area. The square meter prices are high and therefore there will be units over your OHA. Apartments, townhouses, and duplexes are generally easier to find.

Housing Allowances for Military Off Post Residents: - Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA): While stationed overseas and living off post, you will receive OHA instead of BAH. OHA is adjusted to the dollar's value against the Euro on a daily basis. Rent caps for off post housing are established by rank. A SM will either receive his rent or his rent cap, whichever is less. You will also receive a monthly utility allowance that will help pay your utility costs. Click this link for more Information on rates and allowances.

Advanced Housing Allowance - Army only: With a copy of your signed rental contract you may request, through your S1, advance OHA to pay your first month rent and security deposit, which is normally two months’ rent. For other services, contact your finance office for details on advance payment of OHA. - Move In Housing Allowance or MIHA – Miscellaneous: You will receive MIHA Miscellaneous once you move into your off post rental. This is a one-time payment. It is designed to defray the setup cost of your off post home to include transformers, curtains and other items. - MIHA - Redecoration Fee: If your landlord charges you a “redecoration fee” to cover the cost of painting and cleaning of your home, the government will reimburse you up to a certain cap. The cap takes into consideration the square meters of the home, number of rooms, doors and windows, etc. The details of the redecoration fee will be explained at your contract review. - MIHA - Realtor Fee Reimbursement: Realtor fees are authorized for SMs that have special housing needs such as 5 or more bedrooms, ADA compliant home for handicapped family members, special housing needs for family members enrolled in the EFMP program, and other circumstances which are deemed unique and unusual by the Housing Chief/Garrison Commander.

Inspection Procedures – Off Post Housing It is mandatory for all military personnel to have an assignment (in-check) and termination (out-check) inspection. A pre-termination inspection between the tenant and landlord is recommended 45 days prior to departure to identify any discrepancies in your dwelling unit that you might be held accountable for, and to allow you time to complete repairs prior to the final out-check inspection. Initial in-check and final out-check inspections will be conducted with the service member (tenant), the Landlord and one of the ASPEN Consulting inspectors. Please come to the Aspen office to schedule the appointment at least 2 weeks in advance to be able to get the appointment you and your landlord prefer. DOD Civilians and Contractors may perform those inspections with their Landlord/Realtor, but without ASPEN Consulting. Blank in- and out-check protocols can be picked up at the housing office.

Housing Utility and Maintenance Costs - Utility Tax Avoidance Plan (UTAP): Enrolling in UTAP is mandatory for military and DoD civilians. It utilizes your VAT (Value Added Tax) privilege to reduce home utility cost as follows: 19% electricity, 19% gas and 7% water. A $77.00 administrative fee is charged upon registration. The sponsor must register or provide a power of attorney to a spouse or other agent acting upon your behalf. If you move after you've registered, you must update your account. You can purchase oil on base at the post exchange or on the German economy. Please check in advance if they accept the VAT form. - Utility Information: Heating, water and electricity are very expensive in Germany. Rent and utilities are paid in local currency, the Euro, and costs vary based on the US Dollar to Euro daily exchange rate. German utility companies may bill you every month, every two months or quarterly. You usually pay a flat amount each billing cycle. When you first move in, this flat rate is based on the usage of the prior tenant. After you have been in the quarters for a year, the rate is adjusted based on your average usage. At this time, if you haven't paid enough for the year, you receive a year-end settlement bill and will have to pay the difference to the utility company. If you have over paid, you will receive the overpayment back in your bank account. You will not pay most bills at the utility company; you pay them through your bank. - Heating Oil: If you live in a house that uses heating oil, the oil is usually paid in a lump sum when the tank is filled. You should have money from your utility allowance set aside for this cost as well. The landlord will fill the oil tank prior to you moving in or at least determine the tank's current level. You will be required to refill the tank to the agreed upon level when you terminate your quarters, or if the tank was full at move-in you must fill it at move-out. Your landlord or the current tenant should be able to provide you with an estimate cost to fill the tank. A home of 150 SM may cost about 2000 Euro to fill the oil tank. Large homes could cost upwards of 6,000 Euro to fill the tank. Oil is usually cheaper during the summer months so plan to fill your tank during that time. Also, you may be able to negotiate a cheaper price if you and your neighbors buy in bulk and have it delivered at the same time. Don't forget to check prices at several companies including AAFES prior to purchasing your heating oil. You will be eligible to purchase heating oil, using a VAT form, tax free. Please contact the oil company for more information. - Other Utility Costs: garbage collection, sewage disposal, and recycling. The cost for these will be added to your utility portion of the total rent. There is a yearly base fee + 4 pickups for your general waste (black bin). Each additional pick will cost you about 4-6 Euros. The bio waste (green bin) is a yearly base fee and no extra charge no matter how often it gets picked up. Paper (blue bin) is free of charge. Pickups are usually every two weeks. You will be briefed on these costs at your contract review. - Maintenance Expenses and Information: There are some charges that you may have to pay in Germany or do them yourself: snow/ice removal, chimney sweep, heating unit inspection, common area cleaning, and common area lighting in stairwells, basement, parking garage, laundry rooms, storage areas and outside lighting. The landlord will usually add these charges, if they apply, to the utilities portion of the rental contract. You may be required to remove snow/ice and salt driveways and sidewalks or take your turn cleaning the common areas. Some landlords charge you the cost to inspect the heating unit once per year and the cost to clean the chimney. -Fire and Home Owner Liability Insurance and Property Tax: are paid by the tenant.

Finding off post housing

Automated Housing Referral Network: Register for AHRN at http://www.ahrn.com. If you use your Smart Card/CAC you will be registered in a few minutes. You can only register with your .mil or dodea.edu email address. Contractors are unable to use the website. The sight is user friendly and gives you a lot of information about the units and also provides you some pictures for a first impression. All units have a kitchen and light fixtures. The landlords accept the housing contract rules. There is no finder’s fee. Prior to arrival, you can search for housing to get an idea of what’s available. Please keep in mind that German housing is very small compared to the states and that the rooms are smaller, spread out over 2-4 floors and the yards are usually small to medium.

ASPEN will not be able to give you specific information (addresses and contact details) on the home until you get here. You also have to be in-processed with the housing office first, and fill out/sign the customer routing form. You cannot enter into a rental contract nor can a house “be saved” until you arrive. - ASPEN Consulting: The ASPEN Consulting contractors maintain the content (adding unit information) of AHRN for Stuttgart. ASPEN Consulting is cost free for military and DoD civilians. They do not serve contractors. Keep in mind the selection of amenities in houses here is much different than what most people are used to in the states. Most housing in Germany is multi-family type accommodations. Free standing, single family homes are significantly more expensive and harder to locate than apartments. There are very nice large apartments close to all the bases in the Stuttgart area. Some are spread out over two floors, giving you the feeling of a house. Aspen Consulting will assist military members with scheduling appointments and accompanying you to your off post housing inspection. They are able to drive military members to three viewing appointments per family.

Realtor fees

Realtor fees will not be authorized if adequate on post quarters are available for your grade and bedroom requirement. Realtor Fees are authorized only on a case-by-case basis and the reason must be unique and unusual. Some valid reasons for realtor fee reimbursement are ADA housing required for handicapped or EFMP family member, 5 or more bedroom requirement, other circumstances that are deemed unique and unusual by the Housing Division Chief/Garrison Commander.. Please do not contact a realtor without prior approval by the housing chief. All personnel seeking a realtor fee must submit an Exception to Policy (ETP) to the housing chief. Ask to see the policy on real estate fees during your housing in-brief or email us at: hsg.stuttgart@eur.army.mil.

Quiet hours and German rental law

German law places limits on noise levels. Nighttime quiet hours are from 2200 through 0600; daytime quiet hours are from 1300 through 1500. You cannot use lawn mowers, other gardening machines or any noise making machine from 0700-1300 and from 1500 – 1900. Sunday is considered a day to enjoy family gatherings; German Federal Holidays are days to reflect or remember the reason for the holiday. Quiet hours are 24 hours on Sundays and Germany Federal Holidays. However, on different days and on some holidays and occasions such as the World Cup, wedding celebration, you may hear fireworks.

- Interview Your Family: Landlords in Germany have the right to choose their tenants based on personal preference. They interview potential tenants and then choose the family/person they deem will best fit into the neighborhood. Some may think this is discrimination in housing but it isn’t according to German rental law. - Interview Your Dog: Some landlords will interview your dog to evaluate his behavior. You will bring your dog to the proposed rental home usually in the afternoon when other dogs are being walked. You and the landlord will walk the dog for about 30 minutes or until the landlord is certain that your dog passes the test. If your dog lacks training or is aggressive, you can bet you won’t be renting that home. Landlords are anxious about having pets especially dogs in their unit. Some of them have had bad experiences or heard about it and are worried. Therefore, it is very important for them to get to know your pet. Some might ask for a pet deposit. A pet insurance is a big plus and good to have just in case something happens.

Furnishings and applicances

- Accompanied: Temporary or loaner furnishings are available for up to 90 days incoming and up to 60 days for outgoing personnel on and off post. Appliances and wardrobes are issued to off post housing residents for the duration of their tour or tour extensions. On post housing has installed appliances. - Unaccompanied: All UPH is furnished with bedroom, living & dining room furniture depending on your rank and building assignment. All UPH residents are issued a refrigerator. Off post residents are issued temporary furnishings up to 90 days incoming and up to 60 days for outgoing personnel. Bonafide bachelors residing off post are authorized basic living, dining and bedroom furnishing for their entire tour. Appliances and wardrobes are issued to off post housing residents for the duration of their tour or tour extensions. Caution: please do not bring any US appliance to Germany as you are responsible to store them.

Pet policy - on and off post

Accompanied: On post FH permits two pets not including small caged hamster or guinea pig or aquatic animals. Only domestic house pets – cats and dogs - are permitted. Exotic or wild animals, farm animals, ferrets and "aggressive or potentially aggressive" dogs such as Pit Bull Terrier, Bullterrier, American Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Staffordshire Bullterrier are not permitted. Puppy/cat mills or breeding of any type of animal at FH is strictly prohibited. All pets must be registered at the veterinarian’s office and with housing.

Off post housing permits pets if authorized by the landlord.

Unaccompanied: Pets are not permitted in the barracks, SEQs or BOQs. Off post housing permits pets if authorized by the landlord. CAUTION: Germany has restrictions on bringing into the country certain types and breeds of animals. Check the veterinarian office for specifics.

Recycling

Environmental Division Resources