Real Estate Expenses and New Residence Construction

An employee requested reimbursement of real estate expenses incurred when he elected to have a new residence constructed at a duty station to which he had been transferred. The employee was reimbursed for his real estate expenses, but the agency limited the reimbursement to expenses comparable to those that are reimbursable in connection with the purchase of an existing residence, and excluded expenses resulting from construction. GAO found that applicable legislation supported the agency's determination, thus the costs of blueprints and plot plans, certificate of elevation, excessive trash pick-up, building permit, development fee, and miscellaneous expenses were not reimbursable. Since no basis existed for payment of the additional expenses claimed by the employee, the claim was disallowed.