41 CFR 302-5.6: -5.6 Methods for reimbursing househunting trip expenses.

Agencies will reimburse househunting trip expenses as follows:

(a) Transportation expenses—the employee and their spouse's actual transportation costs.

(b) Subsistence expenses—one of the following three:

(1) For a CONUS househunting trip, a lodgings-plus per diem allowance at the standard CONUS rate, for the employee and/or their spouse or domestic partner if they travel separately, or if both travel together, a lodgings-plus per diem allowance at the standard CONUS rate for the 10 days or less that the agency authorizes. The employee receives 100% of the rate and the spouse or domestic partner receives 75%;

(2) For an OCONUS househunting trip, a lodgings-plus per diem allowance at the locality rate, for the employee and/or their spouse or domestic partner if they travel separately, or if both travel together, a lodgings-plus per diem allowance at the locality rate for the 10 days or less that the agency authorizes. The employee receives 100% of the rate and the spouse or domestic partner receives 75%; or

(3) Only if offered by the agency and chosen by the employee, a lump sum, as follows:

(i) If the employee performs a househunting trip and the spouse or domestic partner does not, or if the spouse or domestic partner performs a househunting trip and the employee does not, multiply the applicable locality rate by 5.00.

(ii) If the employee and their spouse or domestic partner both perform a househunting trip, together or separately, multiply the applicable locality rate by 6.25.