Claim for Reimbursement of Expenses Incurred in Settling Unexpired Lease

A transferred employee appealed a decision denying her claim for reimbursement of expenses incurred in settling an unexpired lease. She was informed of her transfer in October, 1974 and was directed to report to her new duty station on November 16, 1974. She was unable to give more than 1 month's notice of termination of the lease on her apartment and claimed that her lease required 90 days notice at termination or, in lieu of such notice, payment of 3 months rent plus foreiture of the security deposit. She stated that in order to reduce the cost of terminating the lease, she paid rent for 2 additional months. A copy of the lease agreement was not available or any other documentation showing her obligation under the lease in the event of her termination. The employee submitted canceled checks to the corporation managing her apartment; however, canceled checks do not satisfy the documentation requirements. Denial of the claim for unexpired lease is sustained until the employee can furnish a copy of her lease or a copy of the lease agreement utilized by the corporation managing the apartment building and certification that the employee had such a lease.