Can the Marine Corps inspect off-base (non-military) housing?

  • Thread starter Thread starter rea_of_sunshine
  • Start date Start date
R

rea_of_sunshine

Guest
My husband and I have been renting off base for almost a year now and he informs me last week that they are going to come inspect our house because of something bad they found (I won't go into details) in one of the houses on base. (Note: I do not live in base housing. My husband and I rent privately.) I expect that they are going to come by some time between today and Friday.

Can they do this? Is it legal? Can I say no?

I've heard a variety of reasons as to why they might check a house (make sure it is a safe neighborhood, isn't falling down, doesn't have bugs, etc), but if that is the case, shouldn't they have inspected the house before we lived here for almost a year? (Btw, my house IS tidy and IS in a safe neighborhood, etc.)

Are there some sort of official documents that say whether or not they can inspect my house? Have I lost my personal rights to privacy because I married someone in the military?

I've heard some people say that they are allowed to come inside just because he has to follow orders, but what if I personally don't give consent for them to come in? I do live there too and I'm not in the military. I've had people tell me everything...That I have to let them in or my husband will get in trouble. I've also been told that I do not have to let them in that actually if they show up and won't go away that, that is trespassing and I can call the police...and also if they were to punish my husband for that it would be considered unethical or something and they could get in trouble. So, what is it? (Note: I do know that my husband will be present when they come by, so it isn't a fear of letting strangers into the house...I just value my right to privacy.)

Thanks for taking the time to answer. Sorry that my question is so long.
 
I can't give you a good answer for this but I believe they can. Military is of necessity totalitarian. Here is something I know they can do. My friend was living off base and had a problem with his land lord. New carpet had been installed in his apartment and was damaged by a leaky roof. The landlord blamed it on the tenant. An officer from the Adjutant General office had this piece of advice for the landlord. You can probably take this to court and win, If you do were are going to place all of your properties off limits to military personnel.
 
Basic reason they have the right is because they are paying for it. Should there be bug problems (just to name one), your husband could be bringing them on base. If you dislike your situation, try being in the Marine Corps and married to an FBI employee, as I was, and see what your privacy rights are.
 
Why are you so upset about them coming in to look at it? If you have nothing to hide then it isn't a problem at all. yes they can come look at the place if someone or several people have had issues in having illegal things in housing. They have given you notice that they are coming, he is going to be there. They will come in and walk through, nothing more. They have the right to inspect where he lives.
 
I had this happen in the Army after a hurricane, my NCO's came to check and make sure the house was still standing, and my kids and I were all right. They checked to see what was damaged (my car was, I had htree trees down) so when the insurance CO came by to do their inspection, and if they did not do their job, the military would get involved. (JAG).
If you have nothing to hide, then let them in, Just have the house cleaned, they should tell you when the time is that they are going to come, this should not be a surprised inspection by the way. They must inform you of the time of arrival.
If your afraid they have a differant version of clean, then your diffinition then get a cleaning service to clean your house before they come in.
 
Back
Top