Finding a Home & Getting a Dorm

Types Of Housing

Government Leased Housing

Homes that are private homes on your base.
The government covers the expenses of rent and utilities.
You will not receive any Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA).
Contact the Housing Office to sign up on the waiting list for base housing, as necessary.

Private Housing

Private homes are assessed by your installation’s Housing Office or found by a realtor.
Also check sites such as Right Move or Homes.mil for properties.
You pay any associated fees.
You will receive OHA.

Dormitories

Inbound personnel scheduled for a dormitory are not authorized TLA.

Contact your First Sergeant and Unaccompanied Housing Office (UHO) to get a hospitality room. Unaccompanied First Term Airmen will stay in a dormitory, and arrangements MUST be made 14 days before arrival.

If your sponsor has not yet arranged a dorm room for you, or if you would like to confirm the arrangements, please contact the UHO for details.

Unaccompanied Housing Office (UHO)

Commercial 44.1638.54.5735

DSN 238.5735

Availability

Dorms are available for single airmen of grades of senior airmen and below.

Furniture

This is dependent on the configuration of the assigned dorm. Almost every dorm will have different furnishings in each building. The basics should include a bed, chest of drawers, desk, and chair. Dorms also provide newcomers linens for their bed – pillow, pillowcase, sheets, and blanket.

Layout

In older dorms, airmen may have to share a bathroom and will not have a kitchen. In somewhat newer dorms airmen may share a bathroom and a kitchen with a suitemate. In newer dorms, airmen will have their own bathroom but share a common area and kitchen.

Getting a Room

The gaining unit should assign the inbound personnel a sponsor.

Get Ready. Set. Go Start Your Housing Search… And Be Patient.

Living off-base in the English community has its rewards and challenges. There are several steps to complete the housing process to include finding a house, signing a lease agreement, receiving your household goods, and setting up utilities. Do not sign any agreement without the Housing Offices’ approval.

For more details, you’ll hear from the RAF Lakenheath Housing Office during Team Mildenhall Newcomers’ Orientation on Tuesdays.

For more details contact the Housing Office at 48ces.housingassistance@us.af.mil.

Viewing A Home

Verify the available date before viewing the property to ensure the time you will be able to move in aligns within your TLA. Move-in date changes on a property is not justification for extending TLA.
Consider key things such as:
- Will my furniture fit? Take a tape measure with you.
- Narrow staircases and hallways may prevent large items from fitting in.
- Is it safe for my family?
- Is it close to a main road?
- Handrailing available?
- The total amount of smoke detectors?
- How far is this from the DODEA bus route or my child’s British school?
- How will the drive feel in winter when it’s dark, foggy, and icy?
Expect to pay a holding fee for a rental.
Ask realtors what the holding fee entails and have them send that in writing.
Do not feel obliged to make spur-of-the-moment decisions. Ask your Housing Office and sponsor for a second opinion.

Transportation

Your sponsor may be able to assist you in house-hunting. If they are not available there are local low-cost car rentals off-base. Housing counselors may be available with prior coordination.

Lodging While Searching for a Home

TLA is authorized for active duty in 10 day increments. TQSA is authorized for civilians in 30 day increments. For more information refer to Gateway Inn Lodging

Renter’s Insurance

Neither the U.S. Air Force nor the government insures your unit, government property, or your personal property.

Signing A Lease

Prior to lease signing, contact your Housing Office in order to have a housing inspector conduct an Adequacy Standards inspection.
If the inspector states that the property does not meet adequacy standards and you still want to move forward, you can sign a waiver acknowledging the increased liabilities you’d be responsible for.
Ensure the military clause is within the lease and have your Housing Office review it prior to lease signing.
Prepare to pay a security deposit (around one month’s rent) in pounds, which can be used by the landlord for any outstanding obligations when your tenancy ends. To avoid disputes over the condition of the property and your security deposit, ensure a condition inventory of the property is conducted at the beginning of your tenancy and signed by both you and the landlord.
Your security deposit will be placed in the deposit scheme which is government ran.
Ask your realtor for information on where the money is held and a reference number within two weeks of moving in.
Confirm with your landlord what is an acceptable way to communicate with them (text or email) and obtain that in writing.

Housing Allowances

Overseas Housing Allowance

Your OHA will start on the date of your lease agreement. Do not use OHA for services outside of rent and utilities.

Details about other allowances are below:

Rent

OHA is paid at your maximum rental allowance or the maximum rent of the property (whichever is lower).

If the rental payment is over your entitled OHA, that cost is covered by you.

Understand that landlords have the right to lower or higher the cost of rent at the end of each term (one year at a time). Keep this in mind as you search for a home within your OHA cap.

Utilities

Utility allowance will be provided for payments on electricity, heating and water.

You will be provided with an Energy Performance Certificate of a property before renting. The rating is from A to G with A being the most efficient and G being the least.

Council Tax

You are exempt from paying council tax but will need to complete and submit the council tax exemption form. Failure to complete this will result in fines and court appearances and any associated fees.

Move-In Housing Allowance (MIHA)

MIHA is a one-time payment to assist with additional costs you may receive while you move into your home off-base.

Advanced Overseas Housing Allowance (AOHA)

AOHA is an interest-free loan from the Finance Office to pay initial expenses associated with the first two months’ rent and deposit.

Interest-free loan.
Repayment over 12 months.
Forms are available at your installation’s Housing Office.
Must have signed approval from Commander.
Paid-up to three days prior to the tenancy start date.

Internet, Home Phone, And Television Service

Internet

Be sure to ask about the Internet speed before moving on base or deciding on a house off base. Different providers offer competitive pricing. However, certain providers may not be able to guarantee fast connection speeds depending on the location of your residence. To check what provider works best in your area and has the best deal type your postcode into a price comparison website such as:

Money Supermarket, Go Compare, U Switch, Compare the Market, or Money Saving Expert

For more UK money-saving ideas:

Most-commonly used providers:

British
Telecom (BT)
Javelin
Sky Three

Home Phone

There are several different options in regard to home phones. Many 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 above) offer bundle packages.

Television

You will need to obtain a television license if you plan to watch live TV or live stream video on any device (TV, cell phone, tablet, laptop, etc.) or any BBC programs on iPlayer. For more info go to TV Licensing.

Most-commonly used providers:

AFN
Sky
BT
Virgin Media

Household Goods Arrival

Delivery of your property

Log into www.move.mil to update your new phone number and personal email address.
The local carrier will notify you once your shipment arrives.
You may be required to complete customs forms or provide more details on specific items to release your shipment.
Coordinate the delivery of your property directly with the carrier.

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 A&FRC for loan locker items.

Duration of tour (DOT) items are also available for off-base residents that include:
- Dryer
- Refrigerator
- Transformers
- Wardrobes
- Washer
Bring copies of these documents to FMS to utilize services:
- Copy of orders
- Form signed by landlord stating that they will not hold FMS property as collateral if you fail to pay rent

Note: Your local Military & Family Readiness Center has a printer for you to use to obtain copies, and a fax machine too.

Other Important Information

You may be required to sign a “Right to Rent” letter. If so, it’s vital to keep a copy of this and your lease to prove you have the right to rent the property and be in the U.K. Failure to prove this can result in a very large fine.
Notify your landlord and Housing Office if your home will be unattended for an extended period of time (deployments, family emergency in another country, etc.).
DECT 6 devices are illegal (on- and off-base) and you can face a £5,000 fine.
- These items are most commonly baby monitors and house phones brought from the U.S.

Recycling – Do Your Part

Fly-tipping – illegally dumping trash can lead to fines of up to 50,000 pounds. Additionally, bringing waste on base for disposal is not authorized. Recycling is a requirement. Each local council and town can be on different waste and recycle pick-up schedules. Ask your landlord or neighbors for information.
Bulky Household Collection is available through the local council for £30 for up to 5 items, and each item after is charged at £2.50

For more details contact the Recycling Program Manager or the Community Relations Advisor.

Recycling Program Manager

Commercial 44.1638.54.5551

DSN 238.5551

Community Relations Advisor

Commercial 44.1638.54.2254

DSN 238.2254