Nationwide Building Society has launched an independent financial guide exclusively focused on the housing needs of the armed forces.

It is available to download free.

When forces personnel wish to consider their housing options, outside of service accommodation, the guide will provide information and guidance on all aspects of housing tenure, from different rental options, to buying a home or becoming a landlord.

The launch of the Nationwide’s Armed Forces Guide to homes and home ownership provides practical insight to initiatives like the Armed Forces Covenant and Forces Help to Buy scheme too. Both measures have been introduced to address low levels of home ownership (only 43% own their own home), as well as to ensure services personnel are on a level playing field with the rest of the population, and receive the financial support they need to get onto the property ladder.

Nationwide has also confirmed it will be an active participant in the new Ministry of Defence’s Forces Help to Buy scheme (FHTB) and the current range of Nationwide mortgage products will be made available to applicants eligible for this new initiative.

Tracie Pearce, Nationwide’s head of mortgages, said: “For many troops returning home during 2014, despite their dedicated service, securing a settled home of their own can often be a priority that is hard to achieve.

“With the launch of our independent guide, we hope to be able to show our support for those military personnel wishing to make the transition from base to private living, by equipping them with the information they need to know.”