A Realistic Guide to British Army Housing

Thinking about joining the British Army? You might have questions about where you’ll live, what your accommodation looks like, and what happens if you have a partner or family.

Moving away from home and starting a new career is a big change, so it helps to know what to expect.

The good news is that the British Army offers tons of housing support to serving members. There are different options depending on where you’re based, where you are in your Army career, and if you have children or a partner.

Here are some of the main things you need to know about housing in the British Army.

What does Army base housing actually look like?

If you’ve never lived on an Army base, it can be hard to picture.

And there isn’t really one 'type’ of Army house. Accommodation will vary between bases and locations, and ongoing upgrades mean more modern accommodations are being built every day.

Some newer housing in the barracks can feel a lot like modern student accommodation, with an en-suite bathroom and shared social areas. So, if you see a picture online and think, 'Is that what my room will look like?', the answer is: maybe, but not necessarily.

Where will I live once I’ve joined the Army?

Housing in the British Army is heavily subsidised and can give service members a lot of financial flexibility. But you don’t have to live in Army housing once you’re done with training. You can buy or rent privately in most circumstances and there are pathways to help make buying a home more affordable.

Throughout your life in the Army, you may move to different places during your career. That means your accommodation can change too, so you don’t need to plan your whole housing journey before joining.

Army Housing: In Training

You won’t need to find your own flat before you join. During basic training, you’ll share a room with other recruits of the same sex. In Phase 1, you’ll be assigned to a 12-person room with shared facilities. In Phase 2, you’ll typically share a room with 3 other recruits.

Army Housing: After Training

If you’re single or living away from your family, you’ll have access to Single Living Accommodation. This is usually a room with an en-suite on or near your Army base. You’ll have your own space, plus common areas that you’ll share with other soldiers like a gym, entertainment lounge, and mess hall.

If you’re married, in a civil partnership, or have children, you are entitled to Service Family Accommodation. These are subsided family homes, like a house or flat, that are typically on or near base.

If you’re based overseas, the Army will get you set up with accommodation either on base or within commuting distance to our overseas operations.

What are my options for family housing in the Army?

Being in the Army doesn’t mean that family life stops.

If you’re married, in a civil partnership, or have permanent custody of children you are entitled to Service Family Accommodation.

You’ll be assigned Army family housing based on your circumstances, including the size of your family. Private rentals may sometimes be used if there isn’t any suitable Service Family Accommodation available at the time.

While unmarried couples don’t currently have the same automatic entitlement to family housing, you may still be able to access it. If you’re in a long-term relationship and there is a surplus of Service Family Accommodation available, you can apply for Army family housing on or near base.

No matter what, your unit will be able to offer guidance if your personal circumstances change and you need to switch the type accommodations you have.

How much does Army accommodation cost?

Army accommodation is not usually free, but it is subsidised. The exact cost will vary and depends on the type of accommodation that you’re in.

For many soldiers just starting out, Army barracks housing can make things simpler. There’s no commute, no unpredictable bills, and no messing about with rental deposits.

If you want to buy your own home, the Forces Help to Buy scheme can help you get on the property ladder. The scheme lets you borrow up to 50% of your salary, interest-free. If eligible, you can put it towards a deposit and other hefty fees that come with buying a home.

What you need to know before joining

There are lots of things to think about when joining the British Army. Where you’ll live shouldn’t have to be one of the biggest worries.

Accommodation is part of the ongoing support that’s available to you during your Army career. And as your career and your life shift, your housing options can shift with them too.

Whether you’re single, have a partner, are married or have children, you’ll have options that fit your needs and you won’t be navigating it alone.

If you still have questions, that’s completely normal. Housing is something you can ask about during the recruitment process and as you move through training.