Serving your country comes with enormous sacrifice, and yet, when it comes to finding secure and suitable housing, too many Veterans and their families face unnecessary hurdles.
In this blog, I want to provide some guidance, reassurance, and practical advice for Army personnel seeking housing, whether you are transitioning back to civilian life, relocating due to a posting, or simply looking to secure a stable home for you and your family.
The Challenges Military personnel Face
Army life often involves frequent moves, sometimes with very little notice. While this lifestyle is part of the commitment you make to the Forces, it can create unique difficulties when it comes to housing:
- Short notice relocations – making it harder to sell, buy, or rent in time.
- Breaks in rental history – which may complicate mortgage applications or tenancy agreements.
- Limited access to local authority housing – as councils may not always take service-related circumstances fully into account.
- Family disruption – ensuring spouses, partners, and children have stability, particularly around schools and healthcare.
- Break in employment – when you transition to the Civilian world and are looking for housing, you may have a gap in employment, making it harder for mortgage applications.
Legal Rights and Protections
It’s important to know that, as Military personnel, you are not alone in this. The law recognises your unique circumstances and provides certain protections. For example:
- Armed Forces Covenant – many local authorities and housing associations commit to supporting service families under this pledge. This can include prioritisation for social housing.
- Tenancy protections – if you’re renting, there are legal safeguards in place to prevent unfair eviction or discrimination based on your military status.
- Stamp Duty Relief – for some service users who own or are purchasing property, exemptions or reliefs may apply in certain situations.
- Council Housing Rights – councils are legally required to treat service-related moves fairly and not disadvantage you for moving frequently.
Practical Tips for Securing Housing
From my experience advising Military personnel, here are some key steps that can help:
- Engage early – as soon as you receive posting, discharge or have signed off from the Military, start the housing conversation. Early action gives you more options and planning helps!
- Seek specialist advice – whether it’s about a tenancy, mortgage, or purchase, a residential property lawyer can help protect your rights and smooth the process.
- Use Armed Forces support channels – organisations such as the Joint Service Housing Advice Office (JSHAO) and SSAFA offer tailored advice.
- Know your legal standing – don’t be afraid to challenge decisions if you believe your service circumstances haven’t been properly considered.
Final Thoughts
Serving in the Military is more than a career, it’s a duty and a lifestyle. You and your family deserve the security of a safe, suitable home, without facing additional burdens due to the demands of service life.
Here at Nockolds we can help to ensure your housing journey is as straightforward as possible. Whether you are buying your first property, renting privately, or seeking support from a local authority, the law is there to protect you and so are we.
If you’re in the Military or a Veteran that has left service in need of housing advice, reach out now. A conversation today can prevent stress tomorrow. For more information contact on 0345 646 0406 or fill in our online enquiry form and we will be in touch.