AFF is increasingly being approached by families who need advice on housing in civvy street; whether it is accessing social housing, exploring options for civilian housing or using FHTB to help with a house purchase. Below is a range of topics based on the questions families have come to us with. If you have any other questions not covered here, contact AFF at housingsupport@aff.org.uk.
AFF understands how daunting the prospect of leaving military accommodation can be for many families after Service. In this section, we aim to provide you with information to ensure obtaining suitable housing for you and your family is as smooth as possible.
Whilst many families find that their last posting is away from their support network, it’s not always possible for them to move back to their preferred area for many reasons, while other families see it as an opportunity to put down roots in new locations, having moved regularly, and are looking for new adventures.
We are also aware that sometimes, leaving your SFA is due to other reasons, relationship breakdown, being discharged from the Army and a change in circumstances. This section provides information on all these situations and how to obtain relevant guidance from both AFF and outside agencies.
We would strongly advise that you start to look at your options at least three years before you are due to leave the Army, taking into consideration house prices for purchase or private rental, location, schooling at all stages, employment and potential commuting time for all members of the family.
If you have young adults living with you, please ensure that you consider their needs in any decision making, especially if employment or higher education needs to be taken into consideration. Remember that they may not be included in social housing calculations.
Please look at our Transition page for more information.
If you have any questions regarding civilian housing, please contact our Housing team on housingsupport@aff.org.uk
Back to topSocial housing is very scarce and most councils having long waiting lists – the Armed Forces Covenant means that you will not be disadvantaged by not having a local connection, however, it will NOT mean that you get to the top of the list.
If you have more than £16,000, most councils will not consider you for social housing so, if you have been made redundant, left with a medical discharge payment or at the end of Service with a pension and lump sum, you need to look at alternatives.
Even if you are at the top of the list, it could still be years before you get a house; it is worth remembering that, if you leave SFA and are homeless, the council will have a duty of care to put a roof over your head. However, this may be a hostel or B&B which isn’t ideal for a family.
As soon as you know you are leaving (or even if you are just considering it in the future), it is worth finding out all the options open to you – for more information contact Veterans Services via email at:
DBSAFVS-VSTriage-Team-National@mod.gov.uk (Mainland & Overseas)
DBSAFVS-VS-NI-ROI@mod.gov.uk (NI & ROI)
Back to topA change in statutory guidance means that recently separated spouses and civil partners of Service personnel can now access social housing registers without needing a local connection.
Previously, although Service personnel were protected from local connection rules for up to five years after leaving, their partners who were just as mobile often faced barriers.
AFF has been highlighting this issue since 2013, leading to some local authorities updating their policies, and we continued to push for wider change through collaboration with other agencies and government consultation.
In June 2020 the outcome of the consultation was published and AFF is pleased to announce that the new statutory guidance states: ‘The Secretary of State strongly encourages local authorities to exempt from any local connection requirements divorced or separated spouses or civil partners of Service personnel who need to move out of accommodation provided by the Ministry of Defence.’
This isn’t legislation, however, AFF hopes that, as all local authorities have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, they will look to include this action in their housing allocation policies going forward.
And whilst this should help families get onto a waiting list, it doesn’t confer any priority over non-military families.
For the full guidance, see gov.uk/government/publications/improving-access-to-social-housing-for-members-of-the-armed-forces/improving-access-to-social-housing-for-members-of-the-armed-forces.
Read AFF’s 2017 AFF brief.
AFF would be very interested to hear from you if you are still experiencing issues with local authorities. Please contact the AFF Housing Specialist on housingsupport@aff.org.uk.
AFF is also pleased that new advice is given within this document for local authorities, who take into account rent arrears, to be sympathetic towards Service personnel or their former partner who have accrued mesne profit debt.
Occupants of SFA who remain in residence following the expiry of a 93-day notice to vacate become irregular occupants and are charged mesne profit charges for trespass, which are not currently taken into account in the housing element of Universal Credit.
AFF is concerned about the issue of mesne profits after the 93 days and has raised this with the MOD and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). For more information see Universal Credit – housing costs element.
If you have been affected by this, contact the AFF Money & Allowances team on moneysupport@aff.org.uk
Back to topThe most up to date paper Veterans – Access to Social Housing discusses various civilian housing options including how to apply for social housing in England, Scotland and Wales, renting privately and home ownership.
Back to topIf you are a becoming a Veteran or are a Veteran, and are unsure what your options regarding civilian housing are after service, we would strongly advise that you contact Veterans Services who will be able to provide you with the relevant advice and guidance.
Veterans Services
Veterans Services provides free information, guidance and welfare support on behalf of the Ministry of Defence to serving personnel, Service leavers, veterans and their families. Support is available at any stage of service, during the transition to civilian life and beyond, helping individuals and families manage change and access the right support for their needs.
Through a network of case managers across the UK and Republic of Ireland, Veterans Services offers one-to-one, personalised support on a wide range of issues. This includes transition to civilian life, pensions and compensation, benefits, housing options and ongoing welfare needs. They can assess your circumstances, provide tailored advice and connect you with specialist organisations where needed.
Veterans Services also provides guidance on civilian housing options through regular online briefings. These sessions help service personnel and families understand their choices, including renting or buying a home, affordable housing schemes and Forces Help to Buy, supporting you to plan ahead with confidence as you leave service.
How to contact
You can access support through self-referral, phone or email:
Despite recent changes as outlined above, AFF is aware that many councils currently don’t consider divorced spouses/separated civil partners to be part of the Armed Forces community and won’t give them the leeway on a local connection which they give to Serving personnel when they leave.
Whilst we never think that a marriage will end in divorce, it is worthwhile considering having your name down on the social housing register for where you would settle if this did happen (close to family so that you have a local connection etc.). The earlier you register, the longer you will have been on the list should the worst happen. AFF has spoken to several local councils about the best way to apply for social housing and the advice they give is to:
Shelter has included some advice and guidance on their website: Shelter Legal England – Rights of separated partners leaving armed forces housing
If you are experiencing issues accessing social housing as a result of the above, contact AFF at housingsupport@aff.org.uk
Back to topIf Service Family Accommodation (SFA) isn’t the right fit for your family, you may look to use private rental so you can live where you want to.
The upfront costs for private rental can be large, with deposits and rent required in advance, but did you know that you can get help with the deposit through the MOD tenancy deposit loan scheme?
The serving person can apply for an advance of salary loan to the cost of the deposit, which must be repaid within 12 months. Repayments are recovered from the serving person’s salary on a monthly basis.
Once you have paid your deposit, your landlord must put it in a government-backed tenancy deposit protection scheme and you then have 45 days to provide your line manager with evidence that this has happened (usually a certificate).
See this section on Discover My Benefits for more information.
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Local councils all have different criteria to get onto their housing register but if one of those is the need for a local connection, they cannot refuse to register you if you have left the Armed Forces within the last five years.
If you have any trouble getting a council to accept you because they say you don’t have a local connection, AFF would like to know about it – please email details to housingsupport@aff.org.uk
Back to topIf you are looking to settle in the North of England upon leaving the Army, then Avondale House could be the solution.
It provides the perfect environment for a responsible transition to civilian life, especially as public and private sector organisations are helping resident veterans and their families to find jobs, houses, training and other support, as required. Read LAUNCHPAD – a perfect transition solution for further information.
Back to topMilitary Matters is a specialist housing advice project that is open to all members of the Army community: serving, veterans and family.
The service they offer is available free of charge to anyone interested in living in Scotland.
Their focus is Scotland simply because they are funded by the Scottish Government and Veterans’ Foundation but you don’t have to currently live in Scotland to use their service.
Their small team of Housing Advice workers spend time getting to know your individual circumstances and then produce a tailored advice report which provides information and guidance on what options you may wish to consider, and also the options that may not be suitable.
The focus is very much about home ownership rather than social renting, and for that reason, the team know about current incentives such as the Forces Help to Buy (FHTB) scheme.
They do still work closely with colleagues in the veteran’s social housing sector, so if this is something that suits your circumstances, they can help to signpost you to the right place.
It also has developed a guide for housing/accommodation options in Scotland.
Back to topThe Forces Help to Buy (FHTB) scheme is an advance of salary scheme, which is available to help Service personnel who want to buy their first home and to enable the option to self-build amongst eligible Service personnel. See our Military Allowances page to find out more.
Back to topAs part of the consultation on the Armed Forces Covenant, AFF has been included in discussions with ministers regarding improving access for Service personnel to housing, both private and social, for those leaving the Services or for those who simply do not wish to live in military provided accommodation.
The Armed Forces Covenant page that offers support for the Armed Forces community seeking housing solutions will link you into a range of information and guidance on civilian housing should serving personnel and their families wish to explore this option.
AFF would like to hear from families who have experienced difficulties in obtaining a mortgage because of a poor credit history due to credit reference agencies failing to recognise BFPO addresses abroad, or because of constant changes of address on posting. Please email your feedback to AFF to moneysupport@aff.org.uk
Back to topTo protect your home from Land Registry fraud, please visit our Landlords Toolkit for more information.
Back to topWhether or not a member of the Armed Forces lives at home with their parents is a matter for the local authority (LA) to decide based on all the available facts. See our Money Matters page for more information.