Leaving the armed forces can be hard. Housing is one of the biggest worries veterans face. This page sets out the rights and support for veterans in England.
On this page
- Do veterans get priority for social housing?
- Local connection: a barrier for some veterans
- What if I am homeless after leaving the forces?
- What about leaving service accommodation?
- Veterans with mental health needs and housing
- Private rented housing: knowing your rights
- When should I contact Support for Tenants?
- Sources
- Related articles
Leaving the armed forces can be hard. Housing is one of the biggest worries veterans face. This page sets out the rights and support for veterans in England. It covers priority for social housing, help when homeless, and help with private renting.
Do veterans get priority for social housing?
Yes, in some cases. Councils in England must give extra weight, called "reasonable preference", for social housing to:
- People who are homeless
- People living in poor housing
- People who need to move for medical or welfare reasons
The Armed Forces Covenant says veterans must not fare worse than civilians using public services. Most councils write veteran rules into their housing policies. The rules accept that the move back to civilian life runs hard.
In practice, that means:
- Time in service should count when the council weighs your housing need
- Service away from the area should not cost you on local ties
- Some councils give veterans extra banding points
Check your council's rules for who gets housed first. They show exactly how veterans get treated.
Local connection: a barrier for some veterans
One of the biggest problems veterans face is the local connection rule on housing lists. Maybe you served away from your home area. That can leave you without a local tie to the place you want to live.
The Armed Forces Act 2021 made the covenant stronger. Councils must now weigh it in housing choices. So local tie rules should never treat veterans unfairly. In many areas, time in service should count as a kind of local tie.
Feel a council is using the rules unfairly against your service? Ask them to look again. And get advice from a housing charity.
What if I am homeless after leaving the forces?
Homeless after leaving the forces? Contact the council's housing team straight away. In some cases veterans count as a priority need group.
Under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, councils must take "reasonable steps" to stop homelessness for anyone at risk. They must also give each person a personal housing plan.
Veterans in England can also get help from:
- Veterans' Gate, once called SPACES, a referral route for homeless veterans
- SSAFA, the armed forces charity, free advice and hands-on help
- Royal British Legion, welfare support and housing advice
- Walking With The Wounded, work and wellbeing support, housing included
What about leaving service accommodation?
Leaving the forces means leaving service family housing. Enough notice and help should come with it. It flows through your service's housing scheme and resettlement support.
At risk of homelessness as you leave service housing? Speak to the council before you go. It matters even more with a family.
Veterans with mental health needs and housing
Some veterans carry mental health problems after service. Post-traumatic stress is one. Is a condition making a home harder to find or keep? These services help:
- Op COURAGE, the NHS veterans' mental health service. It can give evidence backing housing bids
- Combat Stress, mental health support built for veterans
A letter from a mental health worker can back your housing bid. It can lift your list priority on medical grounds.
Private rented housing: knowing your rights
Veterans renting privately hold the same rights as any other tenant:
- The right to a home fit to live in
- The right to repairs done by the landlord
- Protection from illegal eviction
Is your rented home in disrepair the landlord will not fix? A claim may stand, whatever your veteran status.
When should I contact Support for Tenants?
Disrepair the landlord has not fixed may mean a compensation claim. That holds whether you rent privately or from a housing association.
Call us on 0800 030 4669. No upfront cost. You only pay if you win, and the fee comes out of the compensation, not your pocket. If you don't win, you pay nothing.
Sources
- Armed Forces Act 2021 (Armed Forces Covenant) (legislation.gov.uk)
- Housing Act 1996, Part 6 (allocation of housing accommodation) (legislation.gov.uk)
- Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 (legislation.gov.uk)
Related articles
We review every guide at least twice a year and update it when the law changes. If you spot something out of date or wrong, email help@supportfortenants.co.uk.
Reviewed against current housing law for England and Wales as at 15 June 2026. Checked by our SRA-regulated panel solicitors. This is general information, not legal advice for your specific case. Any compensation figures or ranges shown are illustrative only, not a promise; every case is different.
Related guides
Can you help me in my language?
Yes. Whatever language you speak, we can help. If English is not your first language, we arrange an interpreter so you can talk to us in your own words, free.
Read
Noisy neighbours and antisocial behaviour
Antisocial behaviour and noisy neighbours are not housing disrepair, but here is who can help: your landlord's ASB team, the council, and the police.
Read
Housing help if you are experiencing domestic abuse
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, your safety comes first. Here are the free, confidential services that can help, and your housing rights.
Read
Still stuck?
Call us free or start a claim online. We'll tell you honestly whether you have a case worth pursuing.