# PCS to San Antonio Apartment Checklist by Report Date > Shortlist, video tour, apply, sign, and move in, in date order around your report date, with documents and utility setup steps. URL: https://newsanantonioapartments.com/guides/moving-on-orders-checklist/ Last-Modified: 2026-10-25 Author: New San Antonio Apartment Team Tags: pcs to san antonio apartment checklist, pcs jbsa apartment, military move apartment checklist ## How do you lease a San Antonio apartment around a report date? Many homeowners and business owners relocating to San Antonio choose to lease an apartment first while they scout the local real estate market. Our professional service team understands that timing this transition alongside military orders creates a unique challenge. Coordinating a move to Texas from across the country requires absolute precision. Work backward from the date. This pcs to san antonio apartment checklist puts those steps in order for renters looking at new apartments near JBSA [/new-apartments-near-jbsa/ →](/new-apartments-near-jbsa/) , with the documents you will need at each stage. ![Folder of documents and new keys on a kitchen counter](/images/content/folder-of-documents-and-a-set-of-new-keys-on-a-new.webp) Moving on orders with a report date? We will line up video tours around your specific timeline. Here is the whole process, step by step, with what happens next and when. > **Before anything else** > > Confirm your BAH with your finance office. It follows your duty station (MHA TX285), not your address. ## Step 1: Send your dates and gate (day 1) Tell us your report date, which installation you will report to, your budget, bedrooms, and pets. If you know your gate, even better, because JBSA-Lackland, Fort Sam Houston, Randolph, and Camp Bullis each have different closest areas. For example, the Luke East gate at JBSA-Lackland handles over 12,000 cars during morning rush hour, creating massive backups on Military Drive. Fort Sam Houston entries off I-35 and Harry Wurzbach routinely stall between 5 PM and 6 PM. We shortlist buildings by free-flow minutes to your gate and confirm each unit, special, and fee sheet with the leasing office that very same day. This strategy keeps you out of daily gridlock. ## Step 2: Compare with BAH (day 1 to 2) Your shortlist comes with true monthly and year two rent for every building, plus BAH minus true monthly for both years. For 2026, the local MHA TX285 rates took effect on January 1. - **E-5 Rates:** $1,869 with dependents or $1,500 without dependents. - **E-7 Rates:** $2,112 with dependents or $1,731 without dependents. Other grades are pending verification. We update our data directly from the Defense Travel Management Office to ensure accuracy. Comparing these 2026 numbers against local rents helps you lock in a property that fits your budget. See BAH vs true monthly [/guides/bah-vs-true-monthly/ →](/guides/bah-vs-true-monthly/) . ## Step 3: Live video walks (day 2 to 4) We schedule live video walks of the actual units, timed to your time zone and schedule. You will see the unit number, every room, the exact view, and the hallway. - **Evaluate ambient noise:** Listen closely for traffic noise near busy corridors like Loop 1604 or Interstate 35. - **Check cell reception:** Ask the leasing agent to check signal strength on the call, since concrete construction often blocks AT&T and Verizon. - **Inspect layout:** Verify exactly where your furniture will fit. Our guide on choosing an apartment by video tour [/guides/choosing-an-apartment-by-video-tour/ →](/guides/choosing-an-apartment-by-video-tour/) lists exactly what to ask for during the call. ## Step 4: Pre-check approval before any fee (before you apply) Each community handles orders differently. Application fees in San Antonio typically run $50 to $100 per adult, plus administration fees that can reach $200. These non-refundable charges add up fast if a building denies your application due to military-specific income rules. Before you pay a single application fee, we confirm several critical details. - Whether BAH counts as income, and the required income multiple. - Whether a copy of orders can stand in for local employment history. - Specific documents required, and whether they can be submitted remotely. - Any deposit alternatives or military-specific community policies. Our guide on applying on military orders [/guides/applying-on-military-orders/ →](/guides/applying-on-military-orders/) covers this entire screening process in detail. ![Laptop showing a blank video call window beside a printed timeline](/images/content/laptop-on-a-desk-showing-a-blank-video-call-window.webp) ## Step 5: Apply and sign (one to three weeks out) Apply through the community portal, and then we read the lease with you line by line. This review covers concession terms, fees, and the military clause. Texas Property Code §92.017 lets a servicemember end a lease on PCS or 90-plus day deployment orders received after signing. You must provide written notice and a copy of the official orders. ### Understanding the Texas Military Clause Landlords cannot force you to waive this right, with one narrow exception for moving into base housing within 30 miles. Section 92.017(g) even includes a provision releasing you from delinquent unpaid rent if the lease lacks a specific required statutory warning. Protecting yourself requires knowing these precise boundaries. See the Texas military lease clause [/guides/texas-military-lease-clause/ →](/guides/texas-military-lease-clause/) . ## Step 6: Set up utilities (one to two weeks out) Start electric and water in your name before your official move-in date. CPS Energy serves most San Antonio addresses, while New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) serves much of New Braunfels. A few outer addresses use cooperative providers like GVEC or Seguin Electric. ### Waiving Utility Deposits Standard utility deposits in Bexar County often run between $150 and $370 for new accounts. Fortunately, both CPS Energy and NBU waive these deposits completely for customers holding an active military ID. If you use a cooperative provider, a 12-month utility letter from your last electric company showing on-time payments can usually remove their required deposits. We will help you set up the connection before you arrive. See setting up utilities [/guides/setting-up-utilities/ →](/guides/setting-up-utilities/) . ## Step 7: Move in and check in (report week and after) Photograph every single room before unpacking your boxes. Turn in the move-in inventory form, which most property managers require within 48 hours of getting your keys. Texas Property Code §92.103 governs security deposits, making this initial inventory form critical for proving you did not cause pre-existing damage. Our property specialists check in with you at Day 7 and Day 30 to ensure everything works properly. A final Renewal Check happens at month 10 to help you evaluate your next move. ## Documents to have ready Gathering your paperwork early prevents delays during the application process. Keep these files accessible on your phone or laptop. | Document | Used for | | --- | --- | | Copy of orders | Application, lease, §92.017 notice later | | Military ID | Identity, utility deposit waivers | | Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) | Income verification, including BAH | | Photo ID for each adult | Application screening | | Pet records | Pet addendum, if applicable | | 12-month utility letter | Removing utility deposits, if needed | ## A sample timeline for your pcs to san antonio apartment checklist This pcs jbsa apartment timeline shows the typical sequence of events from receiving orders to your first month in the new home. | When | Step | | --- | --- | | Orders in hand | Send dates, gate, and budget | | Same day | Shortlist with confirmed units and specials | | Within a few days | Live video walks of top picks | | Before applying | Approval pre-check | | One to three weeks out | Apply and sign | | One to two weeks out | Utilities started | | Report week | Move in, inventory form within 48 hours | | Day 7, Day 30, Month 10 | Check-ins and Renewal Check | ## What to do before you leave your current duty station A few steps before you move make the San Antonio side much easier to handle. - **Request a utility letter** from your current electric provider showing 12 months of on-time payments. With active military ID, CPS Energy and NBU waive deposits anyway, but a letter helps with other providers like GVEC. - **Gather documents** into one digital folder. You need your orders, LES, IDs for each adult, pet vaccination records, and prior rental references. - **Check your current lease** for the military clause and notice requirements, so you know exactly when to give official notice to your current landlord. - **Set a budget** using the 2026 BAH for your new duty station, not your current one. San Antonio rates fall under MHA TX285. - **Decide on must-haves.** Outline your required bedrooms, pet policies, parking needs, and maximum drive minutes to your assigned gate. ## If you’re arriving before your household Some renters arrive first and their household follows a few weeks later. If that is your plan, ask each community how they handle adding occupants or a second leaseholder after the initial move-in. Many properties require the second adult to pass a background check before they arrive. Our team will confirm the exact process at every building on your list to prevent surprise fees or delays. ## If temporary lodging is part of the plan If your move-in date falls after your report date, line up temporary lodging. Consider these local options while waiting for your permanent address: - **Base Lodging:** Facilities like the Gateway Villa at JBSA-Lackland. - **Extended Stays:** Local corporate suites offering weekly rates. - **Short-Term Rentals:** Off-base options with flexible dates. Choose a lease start date with a small buffer of two or three days. That way, a short delay in maintenance or cleaning at the building does not leave you without a place to stay. This military move apartment checklist strategy ensures a smooth transition even if the property manager misses the exact target date. ## If plans change Orders change frequently. If yours shift before you sign a lease, we will happily rework the shortlist to match the new timeline. If they change after you sign and you receive PCS or 90-plus day deployment orders, §92.017 may apply to your situation. We are not attorneys. For official legal disputes, contact a JBSA legal assistance office located at Fort Sam Houston, Lackland, or Randolph. ## Conclusion: Executing your move This pcs to san antonio apartment checklist covers the foundational steps for securing a great place near JBSA. Preparation and precise timing make all the difference in a cross-country relocation. We are ready to start pulling data for your specific dates. Reach out today to begin your customized property search. Learn more about New Apartments Near JBSA Gate tables, free-flow minutes, and BAH minus true monthly for renters with a report date. Open Near JBSA [/new-apartments-near-jbsa/ →](/new-apartments-near-jbsa/) ![](/images/squares/sunlit-limestone-facade-of-a-new-san-antonio-apart.webp) Written by · Reviewed by · Updated October 25, 2026 New San Antonio Apartment Team [/about/#new-san-antonio-apartment-team →](/about/#new-san-antonio-apartment-team) Licensed apartment team, Spirit Real Estate Group, LLC The New San Antonio Apartment Team tracks ground-up new apartments across Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, and Kendall counties and prices every special in plain numbers. The team is brokered by Spirit Real Estate Group, LLC, TREC #562021, and is free to renters. Brokered by Spirit Real Estate Group, LLC, TREC #562021 Questions ## Questions about this guide ### How early should I start before my report date? As soon as you have orders. We work backward from your date, so even a few weeks is enough to shortlist, video tour, and pre-check approval. ### Do CPS Energy and NBU waive deposits for military? Yes, both waive utility deposits for active military ID. ### Can you guarantee a price or approval? No. The community sets both pricing and approval. We pull prices every morning and confirm the numbers with the leasing office before you sign. Still have a question? Send it with your shortlist request [/contact/ →](/contact/) and we'll answer the same day. ![](/images/misc/row-of-brand-new-limestone-and-slate-blue-apartmen.webp) Next step ## Want the real monthly price for every building on your list? Send the 60-second form. We make the calls, confirm the unit, the special, and the fee sheet, and send your shortlist the same day. Get my shortlist [/contact/ →](/contact/) See the New Build Board [/new-construction-apartments/ →](/new-construction-apartments/) 512-000-000 [tel:+1512000000 →](tel:+1512000000) We don't guarantee pricing or approval. The community sets both, and we confirm them before you sign.