PCS to UK
Housing in The UK
Stars and Stripes
May 22, 2026
Terraced housing is common in England (ANTONS JEVTEREVS | Jevanto Protography - stock.adobe.com)
Source
OuOur 2026-2027 “Welcome to The U.K.” magazine is a guide for newcomers and is a vital resource for understanding your new home in England.
Your first stop for finding housing in the U.K. will be the Military Housing Office (MHO). They will assist you in finding a home, whether on-base housing is available or whether you need to search the local area.
RAF Alconbury (RAF Molesworth) Bldg. 572 | 0148-084-3518
RAF Croughton (RAF Fairford, RAF Welford) Bldg. 62 | 0128-070-8951
RAF Menwith Hill Bldg. 416 | 0142-377-7886
Tri-Base Area (RAF Feltwell, RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall) Bldg. 429 | 44-1638-52-2101
MILITARY FAMILY HOUSING (MFH)
Family housing is available on select installations. You can pre-register your interest in MFH before you arrive by visiting homes.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 Alconbury
RAF Bicester / Caversfield
RAF Croughton
RAF Feltwell
RAF Lakenheath
RAF Mildenhall
UNACCOMPANIED HOUSING
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.
With limited on-base housing options, many people find homes in their local area.
FINDING A HOME
Your Housing Office may have listings for local homes. In addition, the following websites are good sources for finding a home.
VIEWING 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 equivalent to one week’s worth of rent. Ensure you get a written description of what the holding fee entails.
LEASE SIGNING
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 a 30 day notice of termination due to military reasons.
Security deposits are capped at five week’s rent. 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 government-secured account, 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.
When living off-installation, you are entitled to allowances that help offset the additional costs. Visit www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances to calculate the amounts of your compensation based on location, rank and family situation.
OVERSEAS HOUSING ALLOWANCE (OHA)
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 mind when searching for homes.
Complete and submit the council tax exemption form 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.
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 Office (FMO). Available temporary furniture items might include beds, dressers, sofa and dining set. You can also contact your local M&FRC for loan locker items.
Items available to off-base residents for the duration of their tour.
Dryer
Refrigerator
Transformers
Wardrobes
Washer
Note: You will need a form, available at FMO, signed by your landlord stating that they will not hold FMO property as collateral if you fail to pay rent.
INTERNET
Ask about internet speeds before moving on base or deciding on a house off installation. Depending on the location of your home, providers may not be able to guarantee fast connection speeds.
To check what provider works best in your area and has the best deal, it is helpful to visit a price comparison website.
Commonly used providers:
British Telecom (BT)
Javelin
Sky
Three
Unlimited Data SIM option: As an alternative to broadband, you may choose to use an Unlimited Data SIM card paired with a router in your home. You will need to purchase a SIM Wi-Fi router and a SIM card with unlimited data to use in the router.
HOME PHONE
Many people opt to use their cell phones as their primary phone, thus eliminating the need for a landline. If you choose to set up a landline, many companies (such as those listed) offer bundle packages. A landline might be required for internet service in your home.
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.
TELEVISION LICENSE
You will need to obtain a television license if you plan to watch live TV, live stream video on any device (TV, cell phone, tablet, laptop, etc.) or watch BBC programs on iPlayer. For more info go to www.tvlicensing.co.uk.
AFN Now is available as a streaming service and offers U.S. programming. Visit afn-now.myafn.mil to sign up.
Recycling is a requirement in England. Each local district council has its own regulations. Check with your landlord or neighbors for pick up schedules. Your installation will also have specific recycling and waste disposal regulations.
Visit www.gov.uk/recycling-collections to search by postcode for specific rules in your council