Claim for Relocation Expenses

The issue of a claim was whether an employee on a permanent change of station was entitled to reimbursement for termite and roof inspection fees and a fee for recertification as relocation expenses in connection with the purchase of his residence at the new duty station. An employee of the Drug Enforcement Administration was transferred. In connection with the transfer he purchased a residence and submitted a voucher with a memorandum acknowledging that the Owner Title Policy expense was not reimbursable but reclaiming the termite and roof inspection fee and recertification charge. The claims for reimbursement of expenses incurred for termite and roof inspection were denied on the basis that these expenses are customarily paid by the seller's allowances for expenses, including incidental charges made of required services, incurred in connection with residence transactions. However, in this case, termite and roof inspection may be considered a required service in purchasing a residence and therefore reimbursable. Recertification for legal or financing purposes was also reimbursable.