Notice Extended For Families Facing Eviction From Military Rented Homes

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has confirmed that families facing eviction from military rented property will now be given more time to make alternative plans.

More than 350 families living in southern England will now be given one year, after initially being offered just six months' notice, to quit the property and find new homes, as part of an MOD efficiency drive.

Annington Homes owns the freehold of all the affected properties.

The Ministry of Defence then leases them back, primarily for military families, but when properties fall empty they can then be let to civilian tenants.

It rents properties to civilians on a short-term basis, rather than keeping properties vacant, particularly if there is uncertainty over future demand levels.

Tenants had initially been told their leases would be terminated by the end of March 2021.

In a statement, the Ministry of Defence told Forces News: "We are aware of the issues facing tenants and where, in cases of hardship, extra time is required, we are willing to extend tenancies by up to a further six months through to September 2021 on a case-by-case basis.

"Tenants who have been served notice are being informed."

The department says it is engaging with Annington Homes and would like a process for properties to be returned with sitting tenants if the tenants wish to remain.

Civilian resident Justin Baragry, who lives in Lyneham, where more than 90 households received the original eviction notices, said he and his family were "devastated" at the prospect of leaving.

"We've lived here three-and-a-half years; we know there’s insufficient housing stock in the area," he said.

"It’s completely blown up in everyone’s faces."

Annington's website carries the following message: "We understand a number of people have been contacted by Orchard & Shipman about the termination of tenancies with the MOD, which has understandably caused concern.

"While Annington is the effective freeholder of the properties, we have had no involvement in the decision to terminate these tenancies and were not previously aware of it.

"We suggest that you direct any communication on this matter to the MOD and Orchard & Shipman."