Armed Forces News

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As the Defense Department moves forward with a plan to introduce a new universal housing lease for families who live on base, legal offices are standing by to prepare residents on what to expect. Lawyers at Fort Carson, Colorado, for example, are taking steps to let residents know in advance that the new lease will include a tenants’ bill of rights.

“Residents have a right to legal assistance during the dispute resolution process with privatized housing providers,” said Stephanie Howell, the chief of the post’s legal assistance office. “Fort Carson Army leaders want soldiers to know that they don’t have to fight their legal battles themselves.”

Howell said she wants soldiers to get the help they may need when dealing with often-complex tenant landlord law, which can vary significantly from state to state. Prevention of trouble before it happens is a key goal for Howell and her staff, she said, because it is much easier to resolve issues from the onset rather than once they should arise during the course of a lease.

“We prefer that people come to us before they decide to sign a contract or make other types of important decisions,” Howell said. “In effect we can prevent issues from occurring in the first place.”

Legal offices such as the one at Fort Carson typically provide walk-in hours, and can help with other matters besides landlord-tenant disputes. These attorneys are an official part of the Army team, but are distinct from a base’s trial defense service. As such, rather than provide legal representation during trials, offices like Howell’s exist solely to help service members and their families.