Housing in Bahrain is varied and includes luxury apartments, townhouses and courtyard homes. (philipus - stock.adobe.com)
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Only active-duty personnel who are frocked E-5 and below will be assigned lodging in the Unaccompanied Housing (barracks) at NSA Bahrain.
Unaccompanied Housing (UH): NSA 1: Bldg. 266 | NSA 2: Bldg. 765, Phone: +973-1785-9674 | DSN: 318-439-9674
There is no accompanied housing on base. All paid E-5 and above, accompanied personnel and DoD civilians will live off base.
Be prepared to pay the first month’s rent out of pocket. If you foresee a monetary shortfall before arriving in Bahrain, you are authorized to request one month of Advance Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA).
Begin looking for housing by attending the Housing Services Briefing.
Housing Service Center (HSC): Bldg. 265, Phone: +973-1785-4104/6732 | DSN: 318-439-4104, Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (1 p.m. on Tuesdays)
House Hunting
HSC Counselors assist newcomers in locating a residence off-base, and can provide local housing market information. The HSC can help negotiate rental contracts in coordination with the landlord and can explain lease agreements. There are two methods you may employ to find a home.
Visit the HSC for a list of approved rental agents and managers. There are typically more homes available via realtors than there are listed online. All realtor fees are incurred by the landlord. Agents will assist in home viewings.
Search www.homes.mil for available residences within your 25% FP threshold. During peak PCS season, from June to September, check daily for new listings. Visit the HSC in-person to schedule a house viewing, this service is available at specific times during the workweek.
Lease Signing
Once you find a home, inform the HSC who will provide a pre-contract and schedule follow-up appointments.
Pre-Contract. You will fill out and sign the Pre-Contract with the landlord or realty agent, who will also need to provide accompanying documents.
Lease Drafting. The Pre-Contract must be returned to the HSC so they may draft the lease.
Residential Inspection. All homes must be inspected and approved by the HSC before tenants are permitted to move in.
Lease Signing. The landlord (or authorized representative) and tenant must come to the HSC to sign the lease. You will receive copies of the lease agreement.
You are responsible for paying monthly rent and utilities. The tenant pays the landlord or property manager directly. Utilities include electricity, water, BTUs (if separate) and municipality tax. Civilians may negotiate an inclusive lease through the HSC.
Your first month’s rent is due on the move-in date and every month thereafter.
It is preferable to pay via a certified check or an electronic fund transfer via the Dinar Exchange.
Keep a record of all your rental and utility payments just in case they become lost or misrouted by the company billing you.
The Electricity Water Authority (EWA) bill will be maintained under the landlord’s name. The landlord will provide you with the EWA bill and BTU (if applicable), and you will pay the landlord.
Internet and Phone
STC Bahrain—Offers cell phone plans, home internet with broadband, mobile and fiber, plus car and device insurance.
Batelco—Offers mobile and home internet with fiber, mobile broadband and fixed lineoptions.
Zain Bahrain—Offers mobile plans and home broadband.
Television and Streaming Services
American Forces Network (AFN)— Provides programming from current U.S. networks, movies, and sports programming via its streaming service at AFN Now. Download the App and sign up at afn-now.myafn.mil.
Streaming Services—Show availability will be based on your location. Example providers include Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu and OSN.
Visit www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/Overseas-Housing-Allowance to find current OHA rates.
Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) only covers the rent from active-duty members, on an exclusive lease (no utilities included). For civilians it can covers rent and utilities, if they have an inclusive lease.
Advance OHA can be requested by obtaining a memo from the Housing Office for command approval.
NMCRS also offers Household Setup Loans to assist with the cost of moving to Bahrain.
Move-In Housing Allowance (MIHA) exists to help cover the move-in costs associated with occupying an off-base home covered under the OHA program.
Components of MIHA can be used to improve the security at your new home, visit the HSC for details.
There is no temporary furniture program, but arrangements can be made with the Household Goods and Transportation Office.
When your household goods are delivered, make sure every box that was shipped has arrived by marking each item off the inventory list as it is unloaded. Take note of any damage to your household goods, and any damage caused to your home during delivery.
Filing a Claim
You have 75 days from the scheduled delivery date to submit a notice of loss or damage report in the Defense Personal Property System. From then, you will have nine months to submit your claim in order to be eligible for a full replacement value.
Take photos of your damaged goods.
Submit purchase receipts.
Keep any paperwork until all claims are processed.
Transformers
As Bahrain power supply is 220 volts and 50 hertz, always check your product before plugging in to ensure the voltage is compatible. Transformers are to be negotiated with the landlord.
You will need a transformer to use your single voltage electronics (U.S. is 110-120 volt and 60 hertz) in your Bahraini home.
A plug adapter is fine for dual voltage electronics (labeled 110–240 volts), but an adapter will NOT change the voltage or current.
