Claim for Reimbursement of Rent

An accounting and finance officer requested a determination as to whether reimbursement could be granted to an Air Force employee under safe haven orders for rent paid to relatives. The employee reached an agreement with his relatives under which they would convert their basement into an apartment for a monthly rent. A question arose as to the employee's entitlement to rent reimbursement since a member on temporary duty who stays with friends or relatives is not usually entitled to the lodging portion of his per diem allowance. Although statutory regulations provide that reimbursement will not be allowed when an individual lodges as a guest of relatives or friends, rent paid to a more distant relative for a separate apartment in the relative's house may be allowed. GAO held that the conditions of rent and the lack of close ties with the relatives involved served to show that the family was not lodging as guests. Accordingly, the employee was entitled to reimbursement for the rent.