VICENZA, Italy — Servicemembers or their spouses stationed at USAG Italy living in private housing should take the Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) survey now through March 31, 2025.

The Department of Defense conducts the survey to collect utility and recurring maintenance and move-in expense data incurred by servicemembers stationed overseas residing in private housing. That data is then used to determine future OHA rates.

Who should take the survey?

Civilians should not take the survey. Servicemembers or their spouses should take the survey if:

• You have been stationed in Italy for at least three months.

• You reside in privately leased quarters (not a homeowner or sharer). A sharer is a servicemember sharing rent with another servicemember or with a civilian in receipt of Living Quarters Allowance (LQA).

• You receive an Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA).

When should I take the survey?

Between January 1 – March 31, 2025

How do I take the survey?

Scan the QR code above or visit this link:

https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Community/se/2511374578A7F41D

Is the survey mandatory?

Participation in this survey is voluntary and failure to respond will not result in penalty to the respondent.

But note, however, that you play a critical role. The data you provide will directly impact allowances paid to servicemembers. Your time and effort spent answering the survey questions helps set equitable OHA rates.

How long does the survey take?

The survey takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and should be completed by you the servicemember or your spouse, whoever has knowledge of your housing expenses. A Common Access Card (CAC) is not required to access the survey.

What do I need to take the survey?

For the utility expenses portion, gather your bills, receipts, and records of utility and recurring maintenance expenses incurred within the last 12 months and compute a MONTHLY AVERAGE for each of these expenses.

For the move-in portion, gather your receipts for all expenses incurred when initially moving into your residence.

You may save the survey, obtain additional information, and resume the survey at any time during the survey timeframe. Please note that incomplete surveys cannot be used. Allowance adjustments based on incomplete data could disadvantage service members.

Responses are held in the strictest confidence and are not shared with any other office or agency.

Anything else I should know?

Report all your expenses in the currency in which you paid them. Do not convert costs.

Also, in the comments section, enter any explanations that might help better explain your expenses. You may add any additional expenses that were not included in the survey. See the chart below for a list of reportable and non-reportable expenses for this survey.

Preparing for the Utility Expenses Survey

Expenses that Should be Reported

• Air filters

• Alarm monitoring fee

• Appliance repair

• Bottled drinking water

• Chimney sweep

• Coal

• Currency exchange fees for housing costs

• Electricity

• Firewood

• Heating oil

• Housing-related taxes

• Kerosene

• Landlord's maintenance fee

• Light bulbs

• Mold treatment

• Natural gas

• Pest control

• Plumbing

• Propane

• Renter's insurance

• Repair of permanent fixtures

• Running water

• Sewer

• Trash disposal

• Wear and tear

• Wood pellets

• Other housing-related expenses may be reported in the comments section at the end of the survey.

Expenses that Should NOT be Reported

• Cable TV

• Internet

• Telephone bills

• Tuition

• Auto gasoline/diesel fuel

• Auto expenses

• Books

• Pet expenses

• Postage

• Road taxes

• Gifts

• Furniture

• Repairs to personally owned electrical equipment

• Maid service

• Yard/garden maintenance

• Any and all expenses not associated with the physical dwelling

Preparing for the Move-In Expenses Survey

Expenses that Should be Reported

• Air conditioners and/or fans

• Air purifiers

• Burglar alarm

• Cabinets

• Carbon monoxide detectors

• Clothes dryer

• Curtain and/or shower rods

• Dishwasher

• Door locks and keys

• Electricity hook-up fees

• Freezer

• Fumigation

• Heating hook-up fees

• Home inspection

• Humidifiers and/or dehumidifiers

• Insulation material

• Permanent fixtures

• Plumbing hook-up fees

• Refrigerator

• Security doors

• Shelving

• Sinks and/or toilet seats

• Smoke detectors

• Space heaters

• Stove

• Telephone hook-up fees

• Transformers and/or voltage regulators

• Trash and/or recycling containers

• Wallpaper and/or painting

• Wardrobes (i.e. clothing storage)

• Washing machine

• Water heater

• Water purifier

• Window and/or door screens

• Window bars

• Window coverings

• Other move-in expenses may be reported in the comments section at the end of the survey.

Expenses that Should NOT be Reported

• Rugs, curtains, and drapes

• Lawn and garden expenses, fencing, or other yard related items

• Small/personal appliances

• Television, antennas, and cable installation

• Light bulbs

• Taxes of any kind except sales tax as part of purchase price

• Personal labor costs

• Refundable deposits

• Rental vehicles

• Installation of internet

• Initial purchase of cleaning supplies or food