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Federal Protections

Know Your
Rights

SCRA, the Military Lending Act, lease termination, and spouse domicile, explained in plain English so you know what to ask JAG about before a landlord, lender, or court does something that is not allowed.

Not legal advice. This page is general education only. It is not a lawyer, not JAG, and not a substitute for advice about your specific orders, contracts, or case. Laws change. Confirm with installation legal assistance or a licensed attorney before you act.

Informational only. Not legal advice.

USMilitaryMoves does not provide legal representation. SCRA, MLA, state laws, and court procedures vary by timing, contract date, duty status, and jurisdiction. Always verify with your installation Judge Advocate (JAG) office, a licensed attorney, or the appropriate government agency before terminating a lease, disputing a debt, or responding to a lawsuit. See full disclaimer

What these protections cover

Most federal housing and debt protections live in the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and the Military Lending Act (MLA). Eligibility usually depends on active-duty status, when you signed the contract, and whether you gave the other party the notice the law requires.

Housing & leases

  • SCRA can let you terminate a residential lease early when you receive qualifying PCS or deployment orders (often 90+ days). Give written notice and a copy of orders as the statute requires.
  • Landlords generally cannot evict an active-duty servicemember or dependents from a primary residence without a court order when SCRA eviction protections apply.
  • Storage facilities that hold household goods face SCRA limits on enforcing liens against servicemembers without a court order.

Interest rate cap (SCRA)

  • Qualifying pre-service debt can be capped at 6% interest while on active duty if you give the creditor proper written notice and a copy of orders.
  • The cap can apply to mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, and similar obligations you took on before entering active duty.
  • Ask the creditor in writing; keep copies. If they refuse, contact your installation legal assistance (JAG) office.

Military Lending Act

  • The Military Lending Act (MLA) generally caps the Military Annual Percentage Rate (MAPR) at 36% for many consumer credit products offered to active-duty members and covered dependents.
  • Covered credit often includes payday loans, vehicle title loans, and certain installment or open-end credit. Mortgage and some purchase-money vehicle loans have different rules.
  • Lenders generally cannot require arbitration waivers or certain other terms on covered MLA loans. Confirm coverage with JAG or a consumer attorney before you sign.

Foreclosure, repossession & court

  • SCRA restricts foreclosure on a primary residence without a court order during active duty and for a period after, when the mortgage was taken before service.
  • Vehicle and personal-property repossession for pre-service installment contracts often requires a court order while SCRA applies.
  • Courts can stay civil proceedings and set aside default judgments when military service materially affects your ability to appear. Tell the court and your attorney you are on active duty.

Voting, domicile & spouses

  • You can usually keep your legal domicile (home state) while stationed elsewhere. That choice affects taxes, voting, and some benefits.
  • The Veterans Benefits and Transition Act (VBTA) and related rules help military spouses choose domicile and obtain professional license reciprocity in many states.
  • State tax and licensing details differ. Use our state benefits guides, then confirm with JAG or your state tax agency.
State rules still matter. Tax exemptions, spouse licensing timelines, school choice, and some tenant protections are state-specific. Pair this overview with Benefits by State, then confirm locally.

Where to go next

Start with free legal assistance on your installation. Use official sources for the statute. Use our state guides for local tax, licensing, and school rules.

Get free legal help

Installation Legal Assistance (JAG)Free legal help for eligible servicemembers and dependents on SCRA, leases, wills, and family law. Start here for most rights questions.
Find legal assistance
Military OneSourceConfidential counseling, financial counseling, and referrals. Not a substitute for JAG on SCRA disputes.
Open Military OneSource
ABA Military Pro Bono ProjectVolunteer attorneys for qualifying civil matters when installation legal assistance cannot take the case.
Learn about pro bono
Consumer Financial Protection BureauMilitary financial guides, MLA information, and a place to submit complaints about lenders.
Open CFPB tools

Official sources & deeper guides

Benefits by StateState tax, property tax, spouse licensing, school choice, and how SCRA shows up where you are stationed.
Browse states
Department of Justice SCRADOJ Civil Rights Division resources on SCRA enforcement and how to report violations.
Open DOJ
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (text)Official overview of the federal statute that drives many housing and debt protections.
Read SCRA overview
Schools & Military KidsMIC3 enrollment rights, IEP continuity, and school choice across PCS moves.
Open school rights
Military Spouse ResourcesLicense reciprocity, employment, and domicile tools for PCS spouses.
Open spouse guides
Terms of UseFull site disclaimer: this content is informational and not legal advice.
Read terms
Still not legal advice. Nothing on this page creates an attorney-client relationship. If a landlord, lender, storage facility, or court is ignoring SCRA or MLA protections, document everything and contact JAG or a licensed attorney right away. Facts last reviewed for general accuracy in 2026; always check current law.

PCSing with a lease?

Plan the move, then confirm the legal steps with JAG

Use the free PCS Planner for timelines and housing tasks. For lease termination, interest-rate caps, or eviction threats, call your installation legal assistance office before you sign or ignore a notice.

Open PCS Planner