Cohabitation and long-term relationships (LTR) in Service accommodation

Requirement 

Evidence that you and your partner are joint parents of shared children. This evidence does not need to be more than 365 days old. 

Detail 

Proof of parental responsibility 

• A birth certificate showing the names of both partners. 

• Proof of adoption showing the names of both partners. 

• A birth certificate and proof of adoption court order (if you have adopted your partner’s child, or vice versa). 

Requirement 

Evidence of your child-related / financial / domestic / legal / other commitment to each other. This evidence must be more than 365 days old. 

Detail 

Child-related commitments 

• Proof that your partner acts as carer for your child/ren during periods of absence from your home that are directly attributable to your service in the Armed Forces. 

• Proof that you accept financial responsibility for your partner’s child/ren, or your partner accepts financial responsibility for your child/ren. 

• Proof that you and your partner foster a child/ren together. 

Financial commitments 

• Mortgage or Tenancy documents showing joint ownership or rental of a property. 

• Joint bank account. 

• Proof of financial support to the other partner. 

• Transferring of funds between partners. 

• Loan documentation for major assets such as homes, cars, or major appliances in both partners’ names. 

Domestic commitments 

• Proof that both partners’ names are on the Electoral Roll at a shared address. 

• A Council Tax bill for the same property in joint names. 

• Utility bills in both names. 

• Two separate utility bills (one in each partner’s name) that evidences the same address. 

Legal commitments 

• Life Insurance that shows your partner as the beneficiary. 

• The terms of your wills. 

• Proof that you have granted Power of Attorney to your partner. 

• Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) Benefit Information Statement (BIS) as the recipient of the Death Benefit Lump Sum. 

• Other legal documents (e.g., car insurance that shows both as named drivers, home insurance which includes both names etc). 

Other commitments 

• Partner listed as Emergency Contact on JPA. 

Requirement 

Current evidence of your enduring commitment to each other. This evidence must be less than 90 days old. 

Detail 

• Any document listed in Section B above showing a date within the last 90 days. This is to demonstrate that the relationship continues to endure. 

• The AFPS BIS is sent to all SP annually (shortly after their birthday). A second BIS can be requested throughout the year free of charge. 

If you are in an Established Long-Term Relationship (LTR(E)): 

• You may be able to apply for surplus SFA 

• Allocation is based on availability within a 50-mile radius of duty station 

• There is no automatic entitlement to a property 

LTR(E) provides access to apply for surplus SFA only and does not in itself create entitlement. 

AFF would encourage anyone looking to take up the option to cohabit in surplus SFA to look to the future at the same time. 

There is currently no guarantee that there will be surplus SFA available at your next posting so it is a good idea to think about how your family will manage your accommodation needs going forward. 

Savings plans for a private rental or a house purchase could help you plan for the future. 

Prior to registering a Established Long-Term Relationship (LTR(E)) you will need to clarify your PStatCat. In some circumstances, where Service Personnel can properly be regarded as the centre of and prime mover in the life of the child they may be able to apply to be recognised as PStatCat 2 under JSP 752. 

It is important to note that once registered as being in an LTR(E) service personnel are to retain their existing PStatCat. Dual-serving service personnel in an LTR(E) are deemed to be PStatCat 1s and 5s as appropriate. 

 This may apply where: 

• You have recognised responsibility for children 

If you are granted PStat Cat 2: 

• You may become entitled to SFA at your duty station, rather than relying on surplus accommodation 

Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis in line with JSP 752. 

If you think this may apply to you, you should speak to: 

• Your Unit HR 

• The Accommodation Service Centre (ASC), the AFF Money and Allowances Specialist – see Need help or advice

If you are already entitled to SFA (including under PStat Cat 2): 

• You will normally retain your current entitlement and property size 

If you wish to apply for a larger property that is not within your entitlement: 

• You would need to give up your entitlement rights 

• You would then need to apply for surplus SFA 

This means: 

• The property would be allocated based on availability 

• There is no guarantee of allocation or retention 

You should seek advice before making this decision, as it may affect your long-term housing position. 

This may apply if you: 

• Are currently living in surplus SFA 

• Have an LTR(E) recorded on JPA 

• Receive a new assignment (posting) 

Retention allows you to: 

• Remain in your current SFA property when you are posted for a specific time period up to a maximum of 12 months  

• Avoid the need to move to a new location until a specific task is completed. 

• Access the Dual Accommodation Waiver (DAW) where applicable 

Applications for retention are considered in line with JSP 464 and are not automatic. You must apply for and be granted retention prior to your new AO start date. Retention is not granted retrospectively.

You will need to meet the relevant criteria, which may include: 

• Operational or service reasons 

• Welfare or family circumstances 

• Certain schooling or employment reasons 

All applications are assessed: 

• On a case-by-case basis 

• Against current (extant) accommodation policy. For more information please see the Retaining SFA or SSFA section on the Applying for SFA/SSFA page.

Retention for LTR(E) personnel represents a change in policy direction, but it does not create entitlement to SFA. Approval will depend on your individual circumstances and the availability of properties.

If retention is not approved, you may need to:  

• Move to alternative SFA (if entitled), or 

• Apply for surplus SFA at your new duty station 

If you think you may be eligible to retain your SFA: 

• Speak to your Unit HR as early as possible 

• Contact Pinnacle and the Accommodation Service Centre (ASC) – see Need Help or Advice?

• Seek advice from the AFF Housing team housingsupport@aff.org.uk 

Early engagement is important to ensure you understand your options before your assignment date.

For many families, the pilot has provided a valuable opportunity to live together overseas where this may not otherwise have been possible.

Benefits may include:

• Living together overseas as a family unit.
• Access to overseas SFA under pilot arrangements.
• Overseas allowances to support accompanied assignments.
• Greater family stability and reduced periods of separation.

The pilot has also provided important evidence to help the MOD better understand how accommodation policy can support modern military families.

While the pilot can provide significant benefits during an overseas assignment, families should think ahead to what will happen when they return to the UK.

It is important to understand that:

• Participation in the pilot does not create an ongoing entitlement to UK SFA.
• Accommodation arrangements on return to the UK may be different from those experienced overseas.
• Returning personnel will be assessed under the accommodation policy in place at the time of return.
• Surplus SFA remains subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.
• A property available overseas may not mean accommodation will be available when you return to the UK.

For some families, this may mean considering alternative housing options, including private rented accommodation, as part of long-term planning.

AFF says

The Overseas LTR(E) Pilot has enabled many families to live together who might otherwise have remained separated. For many participants, the benefits of family life overseas may outweigh the uncertainty around future UK accommodation. However, AFF encourages families to make informed decisions and understand both the opportunities and limitations of the current policy before accepting a pilot assignment.

Preserved rights have ended

Until 31 March 2026, participants benefited from ‘preserved rights’, which allowed them to retain access to SFA in the UK when returning from an overseas assignment.

These arrangements ended on 31 March 2026 and have not been extended.

This means that personnel returning from Overseas LTR(E) Pilot locations will now be assessed under the same accommodation rules as other personnel in an LTR(E), rather than retaining SFA entitlement through the pilot.

This mirrors the ending of preserved rights associated with earlier UK-based accommodation pilots conducted through the Future Accommodation Model (FAM).

What does this mean in practice?

If you are returning to the UK:

• Access to UK SFA will not automatically continue.
• You may need to apply for surplus SFA under current UK policy.
• Any application will be considered under the current surplus SFA prioritisation arrangements however from 1^st September 2026 those returning from overseas as LTR(E) will be a high priority for case work.
• Surplus SFA remains dependent on availability.
• An LTR(E) does not create an entitlement to accommodation.

The MOD has confirmed there are currently no plans to reinstate Preserved Rights.

The pilot itself is continuing

The ending of Preserved Rights does not affect participation in the overseas pilot.

The pilot is currently scheduled to continue until 31 March 2027.

If the pilot eventually ends, this would not require participants to immediately leave their overseas accommodation and return to the UK. Personnel should continue to occupy accommodation in line with their assignment arrangements and pilot policy unless advised otherwise.

The MOD is asking all personnel currently participating in the Overseas LTR(E) Pilot to support future accommodation planning.

Complete the Return Planning Information Form

All participants are encouraged to complete the Return Planning Information Form Return Planning Information Form, even if:

• You have not yet received an Assignment Order.
• Your next duty station has not yet been confirmed.
• You are not due to return to the UK for several years.
• Your future plans remain uncertain.

The MOD has specifically requested this information to help the ASC, DIO and housing delivery partners better understand future accommodation demand and plan more effectively for returning families.

Information requested may include:

• Expected return dates.
• Family size and composition.
• Children’s ages.
• Likely or preferred UK locations.
• Known or anticipated duty stations.

Keep your information updated

If your circumstances change, including:

• Assignment details.
• Family composition.
• Relationship status.
• Preferred return location.

you should update the ASC (as well as JPA) so that planning information remains current.

Providing this information:

• Helps DIO understand likely future demand for accommodation.
• Supports planning for returning families.
• Allows accommodation providers to identify potential pressures earlier.
• Helps ASC provide more informed support and advice.

Providing information early does not create an entitlement to accommodation and does not guarantee surplus SFA will be available. However, it does help accommodation planners build a clearer picture of future requirements.

When you receive your Assignment Order

• As soon as you receive your next Assignment Order, you should:
• Complete and submit an e1132 Self-Preference Form.
• Apply for surplus SFA through Pinnacle using the normal application process.
• Contact the ASC, if you would like advice on your accommodation options.

AFF says

Please complete the Return Planning Information Form even if your future plans are still uncertain. The more information DIO has about likely return dates and accommodation needs, the better it can understand future demand and plan support for families returning from overseas assignments.

Although Preserved Rights have ended, the MOD has confirmed that personnel returning from Overseas LTR(E) Pilot locations will continue to receive support.

This includes:

• Return travel allowances.
• Removals allowances.
• Access to advice from the ASC.
• Priority casework consideration by ASC.
• Early planning support for future moves.

The ASC will work with returning personnel to discuss accommodation options available under current policy, including whether surplus SFA may be available within a 50-mile radius of the assigned duty station where policy and availability allow.

However, it is important to understand that this support does not guarantee accommodation will be available.

If surplus SFA is unavailable at your assigned duty station, the ASC can explain what options may be available under the current policy.

Where appropriate, this may include consideration of surplus SFA elsewhere within the permitted policy framework, including within a 50-mile radius of the assigned duty station.

Families should remember that accommodation outcomes will always depend on available housing stock and local demand at the time of return. Should no surplus be available you will be expected to source private rented accommodation at your own expense.

No.

The ASC can explain current accommodation policy, support return planning and discuss available options. However, it cannot source, arrange or secure private rented accommodation on behalf of Service personnel.

Families considering private renting should begin exploring options as early as possible to maximise planning time.

AFF advice

The Overseas LTR(E) Pilot has been a positive development and has allowed many families to live together overseas who might previously have remained separated.

However, families should understand that accommodation arrangements when returning to the UK may be very different from those experienced overseas.

If you are considering joining the pilot or are already participating, AFF strongly recommends that you:

• Engage with the ASC as early as possible.
• Complete the Return Planning Information Form.
• Keep the ASC updated if your circumstances change.
• Understand how the surplus SFA process works before returning to the UK.
• Think about alternative housing options as part of your long-term planning.
• Consider your future financial commitments if private renting may be required.

Whilst the MOD remains committed to widening access to accommodation for modern military families, there is currently no automatic entitlement to UK SFA for returning LTR(E) pilot participants.

Accommodation outcomes will continue to depend on policy eligibility and the availability of housing stock at the time of return.

Accommodation Support Cell (ASC)

People-Accom-ASC@mod.gov.uk
0800 368 7406

Overseas Bases Team

UKStratCom-DirOB-HR@mod.gov.uk

Related information

• Applying for SFA 
• Changes to Surplus Service Family Accommodation (SFA) from 1 September 2026 
• JSP 464 Volumes 4 (Pilots UK & Overseas) and JSP 464 Volume 5 (Overseas Accommodation Policy)

To apply for surplus SFA, you must:

• Ensure your LTR(E) is recorded on JPA.
• Complete an e1132 (Self-Preference Form).
• Submit your application through the accommodation process.

The Pinnacle Home Services team will then:

• Process your application.
• Confirm your eligibility.
• Allocate accommodation where available.

There is no set timescale for surplus SFA applications. Demand and availability vary widely across the estate.

Some families may receive accommodation relatively quickly, while others may wait many months. In some locations, there may be no surplus SFA available at all.

Surplus SFA is only available where there are more homes than are needed by entitled Service personnel. A property may be available at one duty station but unavailable at another.

Don’t be discouraged from applying. The Pinnacle team will consider what options may be available and will advise you accordingly. For example:

• Surplus SFA may be available and offered immediately.
• No surplus SFA may be available at the duty station or surrounding area.
• Accommodation may be available further away from the duty station.
• Properties may become available in the near future.

Remember, just because a house appears empty doesn’t necessarily mean it is available. Homes may already be allocated, reserved for future unit moves, or temporarily unavailable while work is carried out to meet the Decent Homes Standard.

For detailed information on the new surplus SFA application rules, priority categories and retention arrangements, see Section 17: Changes to Surplus Service Family Accommodation from 1 September 2026.

If you’re unsure how the policy applies to your circumstances, contact the Accommodation Support Cell (ASC):

People-Accom-ASC@mod.gov.uk
0800 368 7406