Lib Dems win reforms to end mouldy, flooded homes for military families in Scotland

On Remembrance Weekend, Scottish Liberal Democrat deputy leader Wendy Chamberlain MP has hailed a breakthrough victory to bring military family homes in Scotland up to a crucial legal standard, after years of campaigning by families and the party.

Thanks to an amendment tabled by the Liberal Democrats, Section 101 of the Renters' Rights Act ensures that service family accommodation across the UK meets the Decent Home Standard (DHS), which sets a minimum legal standard for safety, maintenance and comfort of housing.

The Act came into force earlier this week, and while most of its provisions relate to tenants’ rights in England, Section 101 applies to, “service family accommodation in England and elsewhere in the United Kingdom.”

The change will for the first time require the Ministry of Defence to every year assess Service Family Accommodation, including MOD accommodation in Scotland, and report on whether it meets the DHS.

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

Wendy Chamberlain MP said:

“I am proud that the Liberal Democrats have successfully changed the law so that our service families will finally have homes that are decent and safe to live in.

“After repeatedly pressing the UK Government to ensure these changes would be implemented in Scotland, I am also pleased to see that their application north of the border is built into the legislation.

“In my own constituency of North East Fife, the military base at Leuchars has previously been cited as having some of the worst accommodation for single personnel.

“Those who serve our country deserve better than mould, damp and cold homes, and this change will help give both personnel and their families that dignity and security.”