Finding a civilian home as a veteran
Find out about how to find a civilian home if you're a veteran of the UK armed forces.
Finding private-sector housing
In general, being a veteran doesn鈥檛 give you any priority in the private housing sector.
For general civilian advice in the private sector, find out more about:
Finding social housing
Being a veteran improves your chances of getting rented social housing in certain circumstances. Councils are required to give additional preference to veterans who meet the relevant preference criteria and have an urgent housing need.
When applying, veterans are exempt from a 鈥榣ocal connection test鈥� for up to 5 years after leaving service. This means they can apply to any local council in the country during this period.
However, it鈥檚 important to note that being a veteran doesn鈥檛 guarantee you鈥檒l be given rented social housing. Find out how to:
The Veterans鈥� Nomination Scheme
The Veterans鈥� Nomination Scheme has been set up to help veterans find rented social housing. It鈥檚 aimed at:
- single people and couples without children, who would not normally be able to get rented social housing, and
- service leavers who are making the transition to civilian life
You cannot self-refer to this scheme. You must be referred by a third party, such as your local council or a charity. The Veterans Welfare Service or Defence Transition Services may refer you to this scheme if it鈥檚 appropriate for you.
The scheme is run by the organisation , which helps veterans find suitable affordable accommodation.
Low-cost home ownership schemes
There are a number of government schemes available to help people buy their own home. These are available to anyone who meets the qualifying criteria.
Find out more about:
Finding veteran-specific housing
Most veteran-specific housing is focused on veterans with additional needs beyond housing, such as care needs.
If you have additional care needs, you may wish to consider finding a care home or managed accommodation as a veteran.
A limited amount of general housing for veterans does exist, based on need and eligibility.
is a housing provider for ex-service personnel, with over 1,500 properties in over 50 locations across the UK.
Find more organisations
To search and filter support organisations by topic and location, visit 迟丑别听188体育 directory for veteran support.
If you鈥檙e at risk of homelessness, find out about getting homelessness support as a veteran.
If you鈥檙e in the process of leaving the armed forces
If you鈥檙e still in the process of leaving the armed forces, Defence Transition Services (DTS) may be able to help.
DTS聽is part of the Ministry of Defence and can provide advice on:
- housing queries
- 迟丑别听MoD聽Referral Scheme
The run regular online civilian housing briefings, which are open to all service personnel.
For more information, or to book a place on a briefing, you can find out about聽getting help to find a civilian home when leaving the armed forces.
You can contact聽DTS聽by email at: DBSVets-DTS[email protected]
The following support is available for those in service who are transitioning to civilian life:
Surplus service family accommodation
You may be allocated surplus service family accommodation if you鈥檝e recently retired or been made redundant from service. You can live in service family accommodation at market rates for a maximum of 12 months. This is to assist you with the transition to civilian life while you鈥檙e looking for a home.
Find out more about service family accommodation.
Forces Help to Buy
The Forces Help to Buy scheme enables you to borrow up to 50% of your salary, up to a maximum of 拢25,000 interest-free, towards the purchase of a property. You must be a full-time regular and have completed at least 12 months鈥� service and phase one training.
Find out more about the Forces Help to Buy scheme.
Discounts on new builds for serving personnel
Some house builders offer discounts to service personnel for new-build properties. Ask the house builder if any discount is available.
Adaptations to private accommodation
If you鈥檝e been injured while serving in the armed forces and are in the process of transition out of service, adaptations may be provided to your home. You may also be relocated to another property more suitable for your needs. Speak to your support staff.
The full policy can been seen in the tri-service accommodation regulations (Volume 1, Part 1, Chapter 3, Annex C).
Getting independent financial advice
If you鈥檙e considering purchasing a property, you may wish to contact 迟丑别听. SIIAP members are insurance and independent financial advisers who specialise in providing services to members of the armed forces community.