Mid-Term Housing for Military Families near JBSA: A 2025 Guide
Military moves do not care about your lease dates. If you are heading to Joint Base San Antonio for PCS or TDY, you need housing that is flexible, compliant, and priced to Basic Allowance for Housing. This guide cuts the noise and points you to the rules, the money, and the places that actually help.
First, anchor your budget to BAH
Use official DoD resources to check 2025 BAH for your pay grade and dependent status. Rates vary by duty station and update each January. Start here, then confirm for the San Antonio MHA code TX285.
Tip for planning: if you arrive mid-month, most mid-term operators can pro-rate to your report date if you ask early.
When hotels are too pricey, know TLE
Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) can offset lodging and meals during CONUS PCS. It is a short-term allowance with caps and day limits, so read the DFAS page and your service’s finance guidance before you book. If you need more details or special cases, the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) is the source of truth.
Practical move: line up a mid-term rental that starts as your TLE ends. Fewer double payments. Fewer headaches.
Rights that protect your lease
Two protections matter most in San Antonio.
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). You can terminate a residential lease without penalty when you receive qualifying PCS or deployment orders. Military OneSource and the Department of Justice lay out the steps and documents you will need.
Texas Property Code 92.017. Texas mirrors this protection. Deliver written notice and a copy of orders to end your lease early for PCS or qualifying deployment.
Operator note: advertise “military clause honored.” It signals compliance and reduces friction.
Pets are part of the orders now
As of 2024, DoD can reimburse part of pet relocation costs during a PCS. There are caps and paperwork, so review the policy and your service instructions. Bring this up with finance when you process orders.
Where to get on-base help
JBSA’s Housing Office keeps current guidance and contacts. Even if you plan to live off base, check their page for local briefings, partner resources, and help if something goes sideways.
How to find mid-term housing that fits BAH
Your target is 30 to 90 day stays with written leases, not nightly rates.
Ask for a BAH-aligned quote that includes utilities and parking. If you are TDY, request a tax-exempt invoice if applicable to your orders.
Confirm the military clause in writing. Attach sample language if the landlord does not have one. Back it with SCRA and Texas code.
Check availability across multiple channels. Travel-nurse marketplaces and medical sublet boards often have furnished, month-to-month options near hospitals and bases. Inventory is fluid, but San Antonio regularly shows a large pool of furnished listings.
Document everything. Orders, pet receipts, and any TLE invoices belong in one PDF folder for finance.
For operators: how to be military-ready in 7 steps
Price to the relevant BAH bracket for your ZIP and unit size. Show the math.
Offer 6 to 12 month terms with a military clause riders packet. Reference SCRA and Texas 92.017.
Build a pet policy that aligns with the DoD reimbursement change, then highlight it in listings.
Create invoice templates that split rent, utilities, and any TLE-covered days.
Keep house rules simple and family-friendly. Quiet hours, parking, mail, guest policy.
Be explicit about distance and commute times to Lackland, Fort Sam Houston, and Randolph.
List on a mix of mid-term platforms plus your own site. Link your policies and sample lease.
Quick FAQ
What if my orders shift after I sign a lease?
Use the military clause. Provide written notice with a copy of revised orders. Texas 92.017 supports this locally.
Can I stack TLE and a mid-term lease?
Yes, but avoid overlap. TLE rules are strict on days and reimbursable costs, so align your lease start date with your TLE end date and keep receipts.
How do I know what I can afford?
Use the BAH calculator, then back-test a few ZIP codes near base. Keep total housing under your with-dependents rate if possible to leave room for utilities, transit, and insurance.
Who helps if a landlord refuses the military clause?
Start with the JBSA Housing Office, then legal assistance on base. SCRA enforcement information is available through the Department of Justice if you need it.
