Key with keychain in the shape of a house on a wooden background (tang90246 (123RF))
There is plenty of variety when it comes to housing in England. It’s important to know that most British homes are smaller than those in America. Whether you end up living on installation or find a house locally, it will be exciting to settle into your new home.
Your first stop will be the Military Housing Office (MHO), which will assist you in finding a home.
Tri-Base Area: (RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, RAF Feltwell): Bldg. 429 | 44-1638-52-2101
RAF Croughton: (RAF Welford, RAF Fairford): Bldg. 62 | 0128-070-8951
RAF Alconbury: (RAF Molesworth): Bldg. 572 | 0148-084-3518
RAF Menwith Hill: Bldg. 416 | 0142-377-7886
Family housing is available on select installations. You can pre-register your interest in MFH before you arrive by visiting home.mil/heat. Once you’ve arrived at your new duty station, you will be added to the waitlist. When living in MFH, the government will cover your rent and utilities, so you do not receive Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA).
Installation housing is available at the following locations:
• RAF Lakenheath
• RAF Mildenhall
• RAF Feltwell
• RAF Croughton
• RAF Bicester
• Caversfield
• RAF Alconbury
• Brington (RAF Molesworth)
Dorms are available for single airmen of grades of senior airmen and below. Your sponsor should secure you a dorm room prior to arrival. Configurations vary from installation to installation but will include a bed, chest of drawers, desk and chair. Dorms also provide newcomers bedding like a pillow, pillowcase, sheets and blankets.
Private homes assessed by your installation’s Housing Office or found by a realtor.
You pay any associated fees.
You will receive Overseas Housing Allowance.
With limited on-installation housing options, many people find homes in the local area.
Your Housing Office may have listings for local homes. In addition, the following websites are good sources for finding a home.
Contact the landlord or realtor in the home’s listing to set up a time to view a home you are interested in. Be sure to verify the availability date, to ensure it is not beyond your permitted 30 days of TLA.
If you would like to rent a property, the landlord or realtor may ask for a holding fee of £250 to £300. Ensure you get a written description of what the holding fee entails.
Once you find a home, contact your Housing Office to verify the property has been inspected and meets adequacy standards. Do not sign the lease until the Housing Office has reviewed it.
It is best to use the standard lease provided by the Housing Office, however, if the landlord or realtor offers a different lease, ensure the military clause is included allowing for 30 days notice of termination due to military reasons.
Security deposits are typically around one month’s rent in pounds. This is an additional cost to your payment of the first month’s rent. The security deposit is used to cover any repairs necessary after you vacate the home. It is deposited in a governmentally-run, and you should ask for the reference number within two weeks of moving in.
It is your responsibility to conduct a condition inspection when you move in. It is highly recommended that you take photos of the home’s condition and provide them to your landlord as a record to avoid discrepancy when you vacate.
Confirm your landlord’s preferred communication method (text, email, phone) and get an agreement in writing.
If you are required to sign a “Right to Rent” letter, keep a copy of it with your lease. Failure to prove your right to rent in the U.K. can result in a £50,000 fine.
Do not use baby monitors or house phones that use Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT 6). They operate on a frequency not permitted in the U.K. or Europe and are illegal with fines of £5,000.
When living off-installation, you are entitled to allowances that help offset the additional costs.
Visit travel.dod.mil/Allowances to calculate the amounts of your compensation based on location, rank and family situation.
Rental Allowance
OHA is approved up to a certain amount but will only be paid out to match the rental cost on your lease agreement. If your rent is higher than your permitted OHA, you will need to cover the additional cost.
In the U.K. landlords may change rental rates at the end of each one-year term. Keep a potential rise in rent in mend when searching for homes.
Complete and submit the council tax exemption form in order to avoid paying local council taxes or fines.
Utility Allowance
A utility allowance helps to offset your costs for electricity, heating and water. You will receive an established rate.
An Energy Performance Certificate should be provided for your rental property to give you an idea of energy efficiency and utility costs. An A-rated home is most efficient, and E-rated home is the least you may accept, while a G-rated home is the least efficient.
Move-In Housing Allowance (MIHA)
MIHA is a one-time payment to help defray additional costs like buying transformers and wardrobes, one time fees, security-related enhancements, window screens, or safety upgrades.
Advanced Overseas Housing Allowance (AOHA)
The Finance Office offers AOHA as an optional interest-free loan to help you pay initial expenses like security deposits and first month’s rent. Applications are available at the Housing Office.
Loaner Furniture
While waiting for your furniture to arrive, temporary items are available for you to use (whether you live on or off base) through your installation’s Furnishings Management Section (FMS). You can also contact your local M&FRC for loan locker items.
Items available to off-installation residents.
Dryer
Refrigerator
Transformers
Wardrobes
Washer
Note: You will need a form, available at FMS, signed by your landlord stating that they will not hold FMS property as collateral if you fail to pay rent.
