The Housing Welcome Office Pensacola Region no longer provides rental information for mail out to incoming personnel, or to the FFSC Relocation to be included within the Welcome Aboard Packets.

First what are your requirements?  Before you start the hunt, take some time to think about what you and your family members need in a rental property.  Are you concerned about schools, how far you will have to drive to work, the square footage of living space.

How much can you afford?  As a rule you should try to keep your total monthly rental costs about equal to one month's gross pay.  This should include maintenance fees, utilities, renter's insurance, and trash, water, and sewer services.  Don't forget school tuition (if going to a private school), credit card debit, etc.

What types of rentals are available?  Generally, rentals can be found in the following categories: apartment, townhouse, condominium, cooperative, single family house.

How do you find the right property? As a military member, you have access to what is known as a Sponsor.  These are personnel who are already in the area and have a "feel" for what is available - speak with them before you rent, or start looking on your own.  Your sponsor can save you heartache and a lot of time.
Tips on Leasing an Apartment: The lease is a written, dated legal contract between the landlord and you, the tenant.  It specifies the terms of the rental, and the rights and responsibilities of both the landlord and tenant.  It should include: a description of the apartment, the duration of the lease.  Leases are at a minimum, by Florida Law, 6 months in duration, which means that if you leave before that time, you may risk penalty fees.  Make sure there is a "Military Clause" in your lease agreement that exempts you from paying a penalty for breaking the lease.  Identify the landlord and the tenant(s).  Due date for the rent.  After a certain grace period (usually a couple of days), if you have not paid the rent, you will have to pay late charges, which can mount up fast.  Amount of rent.  Security deposit.  In order to discourage renters from damaging property, the landlord usually requires a security deposit to cover possible repairs caused by rough treatment of an apartment.  This deposit is returned to you upon your moving out, that is, provided you leave the property pretty much as you found it.  The lease should provide you with a space for you to write in any defects in the property before you move in - if it is not listed BEFORE YOU SIGN you can, and probably will, be held responsible for any and all damages to include those that were there before you moved in.  IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU READ YOUR LEASE CAREFULLY TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO HIDDEN COSTS OR UNREASONABLE RESTRICTIONS.

Always take your lease back to the Housing Office for review before signing.

The NAS Pensacola Housing Welcome Center (HWC) should be the first place you visit when looking for local housing.

The Housing Welcome Office offers a personalized and convenient housing locator service.  The Housing Office is located in Building 735 just inside the NAS front gate (to the right).  The Housing Office staff is available to assist you with all of your housing needs. Hours of operation are Monday - Friday 0830 to 1600.  The Pensacola Automated Housing Referral (PAHR) Drive-Thru is located on the west side of Building 735. 

Multiple Listing Service is provided by the local Realtors Association and available at the HWC and are available M-F, 0830-1600, closed on holidays and weekends.


IMPORTANT NOTICE

Pensacola is considered a Critical Housing Area due to damage incurred by Hurricane Ivan.  Rents are high for community housing, and temporary housing is extremely limited.  Rentals for less than 6 months are almost impossible to find.  Do NOT cancel your renters insurance upon upon receipt of orders, transfer it with you.  You are strongly advised NOT to rent housing sight unseen.  Service members are encouraged to arrange permissive TDY House Hunting to secure housing prior to relocating family members.  You may be eligible to draw BHA based on the location of your dependents - you must submit a chit through PSD Pensacola for Critical Housing Area (CHA) pay.  Check with your local PSD for more details on all pay entitlements.

You are required to report to the Housing Welcome Center Prior to negotiating any agreement for off-base housing (OPNAVINST 11101.3 and OPNAVINST 11101.21 series).

Temporary lodging accommodations should be reserved prior to arrival.  Make sure you call for reservations upon receipt of your orders, especially if you will transferring during our tourist season (Mar - Sept.).  Month-to-month leases usually do not exist and you will be required to sign a 6 month lease.  The provision in the "Sailors and Soliders Act" which releases military personnel from a lease in the event of receipt of orders is not applicable to military personnel who are assigned to NAS Pensacola under instruction for less than 6 months.  Military personnel who enter into a lease, with the knowledge they will be assigned elsewhere before the lease expires, can be held monetarily accountable for the full term of the signed lease.