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Housing Management Office
| Phone |
(+44) 1280-708-951
DSN 314-236-8951 |
| Fax |
(+44) 1280-708-246 |
| Email: 422ces.ceac@croughton.af.mil |
| Address |
422 CES/CEAC
PO Box 7, Unit 5855
APO AE 09494 |
| Hours of Operation |
M - F - 8:00am-3:00pm
(GMT) |
Unaccompanied Housing
| Phone |
(+44) 1280-708-038
DSN 314-236-8038 |
| Email: 422ces.ceac@croughton.af.mil |
| Address |
422 CES/CEAC
PO Box 7, Unit 5855
APO AE 09494 |
Hours of
Operation |
M - F - 8:00am-4:30pm
(GMT) |
Current Local Time
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The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the United States Air Force or the Department of Defense of the external Web Site, or the information, products, or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Services/Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sites, the Unites States Air Force does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the purpose of the Web site. |
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Housing in the Local Community
The Housing Management Office (HMO) provides all DoD personnel with a personalized service to assist in locating suitable housing in your new host country. Moving to a new country can often be confusing and stressful; however, it can also be exciting. Living off base provides members and families the chance to experience a new culture and make friends with their host country neighbors. The HMO will assist you every step of the way to help you find your new home in the local community.
Housing Services
Contact the HMO as soon as you know you are moving. The government housing team will provide you the latest information on the local housing situation as well as local laws governing off-base housing. The HMO partners with landlords, realtors and property managers to make sure you receive the most current information about the local housing market.
We recommend you begin your housing search area within 20 miles of "Croughton, Brackley, Northamptonshire". The HMO monitors off-base rental listings to ensure that they are safe and adequate. Housing units are also listed in the Automated Housing Referral Network (AHRN), a joint service, DoD-sponsored website that offers a 24/7/365 single source of available housing to incoming military and their families.
Go to AHRN.com and create a personal account to view the available housing and get a feel for the size, style and type of housing around your new installation.
If you find available units you are interested in you must wait until you arrive to secure housing so that you can tour the prospective units and surrounding area. The HMO must ensure that your tenancy agreement (lease) includes the U.S. military clause provided by 3rd Air Force in the U.K. This clause must be included for you to receive the Overseas Housing Allowance.
The HMO can assist you by:
- Briefing members and giving advice
- Negotiating lease contracts
- Providing furnishings support. See Furnishings Management for a list of the Duration of Tour Items available
- Mediating in a matter of dispute
- Investigating complaints by landlord and tenant
- Providing GPS/SatNav devices for check-out during your housing search
- Making sure transportation is available for members to view and inspect community housing, as required, when no public transportation is available (foreign OCONUS)
- Allowing you use of an HMO laptop (not connected to DoD server) and phone, which are located at HMO, to use in your housing search
After you move into your home, the HMO is available for on-going assistance with any problems and issues you may have with your letting agent or landlord, as well as reviewing renewals of your tenancy agreement and assisting you with the process again if you move to a different property.
Community Housing Units
The HMO provides up-to-date listings of available economy units and landlord/tenant mediation. Community housing within the Croughton commuting area is good. You should be able to secure and move into an adequate house within 30 days of arrival. Please keep in mind that houses in the UK are generally smaller than ones in the U.S. and the rooms are much smaller. As such, we recommend you do not bring oversized, bulky furniture and items like (American) king-size beds.
Generally houses in the UK do not have central heat and air. You will find that most houses, however, are heated by radiators.
Most landlords/letting agents require you to make your monthly payments by direct deposit/automatic payment from your banking institution. You will need to set up a pound account at the Community Bank at RAF Croughton soon after you arrive in order to do this.
While some landlords rent directly to military members at RAF Croughton, most are facilitated through a letting agent. Estate agents will charge you fees for their services, which range from £100 to £300. All letting agent fees will be reimbursable.
For information about the housing allowances that financially support your move, see Referral and Relocation Assistance.
Personal Property Insurance
You need to obtain legal liability and personal property insurance (contents or renter's insurance) for your possessions and should choose the options and amounts that best fit your needs and lifestyle. Before purchasing your insurance, please consult the HMO for more information about coverage.
Realtor Services
The use of local realtor services is typically unnecessary and is not recommended unless a home for rent is only listed with a specific realtor. In OCONUS, if you choose to use realtor services, discuss fees up front, as some realtors charge a finder's fee and government reimbursement is rarely authorized. To request government reimbursement for realtor services in OCONUS, you must submit a request for authorization through the HMO before signing a lease or contract. In CONUS, fees for realtor services are not reimbursable.
School Information
For families, we understand that where your children attend school plays a large factor in the decision of where to live. RAF Croughton School Options are as follows:
Grades K-6: Students in Kindergarten through 6th grade are fortunate to have DoDDS Croughton Elementary School on the RAF Croughton base. Families may choose to enroll their primary school age children in local British schools, but will not be reimbursed for any expenses.
Grades 7-12: Students have three options: enroll in a local state school, be home-schooled or attend a British independent school where tuition may be funded with acceptance to Non-DoD School Program (NDSP).
Once accepted to NDSP, parents of secondary students attending British schools can be reimbursed for other expenses including registration fees, transportation, required examination fees and some one-time school fees. Expenses must stay under the cap allowed for the year. Other expenses such as uniforms, insurance and meals are not covered.
Public and private school resources:
Northamptonshire County Council
Oxford County Council
Office for Standards in (British) Education
For more information about school options contact the RAF Croughton School Liaison Officer: (+44) 1280-708-578 (DSN 314-236-8578) |
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The Housing Management Office (HMO) is ready to support you in the transition to your new home and community. Use the resources provided to become familiar with the housing options and support services available to you.
Contact Information 
