§1055 Waiver of Security Deposits for Members Renting Private Housing; Authority to Indemnify Landlord

Summary

The Secretary of Defense can run a program where a military department agrees to protect a landlord who rents to a service member if the member breaks the lease or damages the unit. In return, the landlord must agree not to require a security deposit. The department can sign an agreement with any landlord, but only if Congress has provided the money in advance. The agreement lasts for the lease and any renewals. The department will pay the landlord for lease breaches or damage by the member or the member’s guests or dependents, but never more than the amount the landlord would have required as a deposit. The landlord must first try other remedies against the member (including binding arbitration). If the department pays, it takes the landlord’s rights to recover the money. If the department pays the landlord, it can order withholding from the member’s pay to recover that amount. Before withholding pay, the member must get notice, a chance for a hearing, and to see the record. The Secretary of Defense must write rules for the program, and the service departments must follow them. "Landlord" means a person who rents a unit to a service member.