Helen Maguire MP wins reforms to end mouldy, flooded homes for military families

The change, secured after the Government conceded to a Liberal Democrat amendment to the Renters’ Rights Bill, will for the first time require the Ministry of Defence to assess Service Family Accommodation every year and report on whether it meets the Decent Homes Standard - creating a clear statutory mechanism for identifying and addressing shortcomings.

The Government initially rejected the Liberal Democrat amendment but conceded after sustained campaigning by the Liberal Democrats in Parliament.

Liberal Democrat research earlier this year revealed over 400 families were forced to apply for emergency repairs over VE Day in 2025, as some service families were living in damp, mouldy, and even rat-infested homes.

Helen Maguire MP said:

“For too long, military service families have been forced to live in damp, mouldy, and unsafe homes - conditions no one defending our country should ever face.”

“During my tenure as Liberal Democrat Defence Spokesperson, I heard first-hand from serving personnel and their families about the toll that poor housing takes on their wellbeing and morale.”

“I’m so proud that our party’s relentless campaigning has delivered this long overdue change in law. This is a victory for every service family who spoke up, for every child growing up in military housing, and for the dignity our Armed Forces deserve. Now, at last, their homes will have to meet the same decent standards as everyone else.”