Lib Dems secure win to end mouldy, flooded homes for military families

Cambridgeshire’s Liberal Democrat MPs, Charlotte Cane (Ely & East Cambridgeshire), Pippa Heylings (South Cambridgeshire) and Ian Sollom (St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire), have hailed a breakthrough victory to bring military family homes up to the Decent Homes Standard in law, after years of campaigning by families and their party.

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 had initially opposed the amendment but conceded after sustained pressure from Liberal Democrat MPs.

Earlier this year, Liberal Democrat research revealed that over 400 military families were forced to request emergency repairs over VE Day in 2025, with some living in damp, mouldy, and even rat-infested homes.

MPs Charlotte Cane, Pippa Heylings and Ian Sollom said:

“This is an important step forward for the families who serve our country. We are proud to support our Liberal Democrat colleagues in securing this victory, which will finally ensure that military homes are held to a decent and safe standard.

“No one should be living in cold, damp, or mould-ridden housing. This vital change to the law will help restore dignity and security to service families across the UK — including those based at many military bases across the East of England.

“We’ll continue to champion better housing standards for all families across Cambridgeshire, and work to ensure everyone has a safe and healthy place to call home.”