MRP Tenant Relations & Leasing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), what notice must an active-duty servicemember provide to terminate a lease early?
- 30 days written notice with a copy of deployment orders (Correct answer)
- 60 days written notice with a copy of deployment orders
- 90 days written notice without documentation
- No notice is required for military personnel
Correct answer: 30 days written notice with a copy of deployment orders
SCRA requires 30 days written notice accompanied by a copy of military orders to terminate a lease early without penalty.
Question 2: When a servicemember vacates a rental unit after providing proper SCRA notice, when does the lease termination become effective?
- Immediately upon delivery of the notice
- 30 days after the next rent due date following the notice (Correct answer)
- 60 days after the notice is delivered
- On the date specified in the deployment orders
Correct answer: 30 days after the next rent due date following the notice
Under SCRA, the termination is effective 30 days after the next rent payment date that follows delivery of proper written notice.
Question 3: A military tenant's lease contains a clause waiving SCRA protections. How should an MRP agent advise the client?
- The waiver is enforceable if both parties signed it
- SCRA rights cannot be waived in a lease agreement (Correct answer)
- The waiver is valid only if notarized
- The waiver is valid only for leases longer than 12 months
Correct answer: SCRA rights cannot be waived in a lease agreement
SCRA protections are statutory rights that cannot be contractually waived in a lease; such clauses are void and unenforceable.
Question 4: Which type of military order qualifies a servicemember to invoke SCRA lease termination rights?
- Only permanent change of station (PCS) orders
- PCS orders, deployment orders of 90+ days, or orders to report to a military facility 35+ miles away (Correct answer)
- Only overseas deployment orders
- Only orders lasting more than 180 days
Correct answer: PCS orders, deployment orders of 90+ days, or orders to report to a military facility 35+ miles away
SCRA lease termination rights apply to PCS orders, deployment orders of 90 days or more, or orders to a military facility at least 35 miles from the current residence.
Question 5: A landlord refuses to return a military tenant's security deposit citing normal wear-and-tear. What is the standard legal position?
- Landlords may always retain deposits for any cleaning costs
- Normal wear-and-tear cannot legally justify withholding a security deposit (Correct answer)
- Military tenants are not entitled to security deposit returns under SCRA
- Landlords have 90 days to return deposits regardless of state law
Correct answer: Normal wear-and-tear cannot legally justify withholding a security deposit
In virtually all U.S. jurisdictions, normal wear-and-tear does not constitute damage and cannot legally justify withholding a tenant's security deposit.
Question 6: An MRP specialist is helping a military family find housing near a new installation. What is the primary advantage of using military housing referral offices?
- They guarantee the lowest rental prices in the area
- They maintain vetted lists of landlords familiar with military tenants and SCRA requirements (Correct answer)
- They provide legal representation for lease disputes
- They offer free property management for military landlords
Correct answer: They maintain vetted lists of landlords familiar with military tenants and SCRA requirements
Military housing referral offices maintain lists of landlords who understand military leasing needs and are familiar with SCRA protections and PCS cycles.
Question 7: When assisting a military family relocating on PCS orders, which lease term is MOST beneficial to negotiate?
- A lease term that matches the typical 3-year PCS tour length exactly
- A short-term lease or military clause allowing early termination without penalty (Correct answer)
- A lease with automatic renewal to ensure stable housing
- A lease with the highest security deposit to demonstrate reliability
Correct answer: A short-term lease or military clause allowing early termination without penalty
A military clause or short-term lease protects servicemembers who may receive unexpected orders requiring early departure without financial penalty.
MRP Tenant Relations & Leasing 2
Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), what notice must an active-duty servicemember provide to terminate a lease early?