Claim for Temporary Quarters Expenses and Club Membership Fee Required for Residence Purchase

A Federal employee submitted a claim for temporary quarters subsistence expenses and for a social club membership fee he was required to pay upon purchase of a home at his new duty station. The employee moved into a house which he intended to purchase at the new station and paid rent pending the closing of the sale. Since he was unable to obtain the necessary financing, he was forced to vacate the house and the sale was never closed. The employee then purchased another residence where he was required to pay a membership fee for a home-owners' club to purchase the property. Employees occupying and paying rent for homes they intend to purchase are not entitled to reimbursement for temporary quarters expenses. Therefore, the employee was not entitled to reimbursement for temporary quarters expenses for the period he occupied and rented the house he intended to purchase. The club membership fee was not reimbursable since such costs are regarded as personal expenses and are outside the scope of miscellaneous costs allowable under travel regulations. Accordingly, the claim was disallowed.