Finding a civilian home as a veteran
Source: gov.uk (2025-06-24)

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’t give you any priority in the private housing sector.

For general civilian advice in the private sector, find out more about:
- private renting (https://www.gov.uk/private-renting)
- how to buy a home (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-buy-a-home)
Finding social housing

Being a veteran can improve 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 in England, veterans are exempt from a ‘local connection test’. This means they can apply to any local council in the country.

However, being a veteran does not guarantee you’ll be given rented social housing. Find out how to:
- apply for council housing in England, Scotland and Wales (https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-council-housing)
- apply for social rented housing in Northern Ireland (https://www.nihe.gov.uk/housing-help/apply-for-a-home)
The Veterans’ Nomination Scheme

The Veterans’ Nomination Scheme has been set up to help veterans find rented social housing. It can help:
- 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
Find out more about the Veterans’ Nomination Scheme. (https://www.stoll.org.uk/housing/vns/)

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 (https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/veterans-welfare-service) or Defence Transition Services (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/help-and-support-for-service-leavers-and-their-families) may refer you to this scheme if it’s appropriate for you.

The scheme is run by the organisation Stoll (https://www.stoll.org.uk/), 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:
- low-cost home ownership in England (https://www.ownyourhome.gov.uk/)
- low-cost home ownership in Wales (https://www.gov.wales/help-buy-home-schemes)
- low-cost home ownership in Scotland (https://www.gov.scot/policies/homeowners/)
- low-cost home ownership in Northern Ireland (https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/information-and-services/buying-selling-and-renting-home/home-ownership-schemes)
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 (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/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.

Haig Housing (https://www.haighousing.org.uk/apply-for-housing/) 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 the GOV.UK directory for veteran support.

Search veteran support directory (https://www.gov.uk/support-for-veterans)

If you’re at risk of homelessness, find out about getting homelessness support as a veteran (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/getting-homelessness-support-as-a-veteran).

If you’re in the process of leaving the armed forces

If you’re still in the process of leaving the armed forces, Defence Transition Services (DTS) may be able to help.

DTS is part of the Ministry of Defence and can provide advice on:
- housing queries
- the MoD Referral Scheme
They host regular online briefings on civilian housing, which are open to all service personnel.

For more information, or to book a place on a briefing, you can find out about getting help to find a civilian home when leaving the armed forces (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/getting-help-to-find-a-civilian-home-when-leaving-the-armed-forces).

You can contact DTS at: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

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’ve 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’re looking for a home.

Find out more about service family accommodation. (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jsp-464-tri-service-accommodation-regulations-tsars)

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 £25,000 interest-free, towards the purchase of a property. You must be a full-time regular and have completed at least 12 months’ service and phase one training.

Find out more about the Forces Help to Buy scheme. (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/forces-help-to-buy)

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’ve 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 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jsp-464-tri-service-accommodation-regulations-tsars) (Volume 1, Part 1, Chapter 3, Annex C).

Getting independent financial advice

If you’re considering purchasing a property, you may wish to contact the Services Insurance and Investment Advisory Panel (SIIAP) (https://siiap.org/). SIIAP members are insurance and independent financial advisers who specialise in providing services to members of the armed forces community.