Defence Transition Services (DTS): Civilian Housing Brief Dates 2025

 

Families First newsletter - issue 20

 

A reminder about electric heater safety in the home from DIO/Pinnacle

 

Summer Safety Campaign: Window Restrictors

With the warmer weather and children off for the school holidays, it’s imperative you and your family stay safe this summer by following the current safety guidance on window restrictors.

We understand that it can get very warm, and you may want to open windows wide to let in a cool breeze, but there is a risk of children or vulnerable adults falling from open windows and being injured if restrictors are not engaged.

It is important to check whether your window restrictors are operating correctly. Please contact Pinnacle immediately on 0800 031 8628 if your restrictors are not working or your windows can be opened more than 100mm when restrictors are engaged.

DIO Families First Newsletter - Issue 17

Service Family Accommodation

Single Living Accommodation Survey - Closing on 3 Jun

The Single Living Accommodation (SLA) survey launches today and is an opportunity for all personnel to share your views on SLA and help shape the future of Defence accommodation.

Who can take part and how?

We want to hear from all Service personnel whether you currently use SLA or not. For more information please go to this Sway: Sway (cloud.microsoft)Sway (cloud.microsoft)

Mitie - Sennelager Helpdesk Contact

 

Service Family Accommodation: UK-Wide Townhall Events

Find out more here

You have one week to complete the Families Continuous Attitude Survey

This year’s Families Continuous Attitude Survey (FamCAS) – which is open for a sample of civil partners/spouses of regular serving personnel – closes on Monday 22 April 2024.

With the deadline fast approaching, there’s no time like the present to check the online eligibility tool to see if you can take part, and then go on to complete the survey. These work best with Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.

Where the survey and eligibility tool ask for a token/access code, please enter your partner’s Service number. This is for security reasons only; all responses are anonymous.

DIO Accommodation - Stakeholder Briefing

A safety recall has been issued by IDEAL regarding their Heating Logic 2 gas combi & system boiler range. Around 1,700 homes have this type of boiler installed. Impacted families have been issued a letter and FAQ document informing them of the issue and the next steps to resolve this.

Families are still able to use the boilers, however, IDEAL advise families to repressurise their boiler and ensure they register their details for an upgrade. Instructions on how to do this, can be found on IDEAL's website.

DIO Families First Newsletter - Issue 15

In this issue:

- A Message from DIO Director of Accommodation, Phil Riley
- Modernised Accommodation Offer survey
- Investment across the estate
- DIO SFA Townhall sessions

Families First newsletters can be viewed online 

Accommodation Survey - ARMY 2024

Army - Accommodation Survey - ARMY 2024

Extension to Closing Date: Modernised Accommodation Offer Review – don't miss the opportunity to have your say!

1800 Tues 9th April.

Modernised Accommodation Offer Review – don't miss the opportunity to have your say!

The MOD is undertaking a review of the Modernised Accommodation Offer (formerly New Accommodation Offer), following the pause in rollout of elements relating to Service Families Accommodation (SFA).

As part of the review, we want to gain a clearer picture of your personal circumstances and your future accommodation choices. We will use this data to improve our understanding of the potential demand for family accommodation, including where, how and with whom Service personnel would like to live. It will help us to create an improved accommodation offer for the Armed Forces.

Tri-Service Accommodation Regulations (TSARs) JSP 464 updated to reflect Modernised Accommodation Offer

The following changes have been made to incorporate the elements of the Modernised Accommodation Offer (MAO) that are being implemented from 11th March:

• JSP 464 Vol 1 Part 1 V 30Ch 12: Forces Help to Buy Scheme – Section XII Para 1251. Refund of Legal Expenses (New Buyers) policy
• JSP 464 Vol 3 Pt 1 V24Ch 3: Single Living Accommodation and the Substitute Equivalents - ChargesSLA Waivers 0303c. Amendment to Over 37 Provision. SLA Waivers 0303 y. Inclusion of the Dual Accommodation Waiver.

Details of the amendments are at this link and the full policy document can be found here.

Contact House Directory

Did you know that Army HIVE holds and maintains a directory of all Contact Housing available across the UK and Overseas?

For a copy, or for contact details for a location, do g​et in touch with any HIVE or drop us a message at

rc-pers-hivecomms-0mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Defence Infrastructure Organisation: Service Family Accommodation Communications Update

 A message from DIO Chief Executive, Mike Green:

“On Tuesday, I gave evidence to the House of Commons Defence Committee inquiry into service accommodation.

I welcome the scrutiny of our past performance and the opportunity it provides for us to share the improvements we are making.

I care deeply about the homes that DIO provides for you and your families, and during the evidence session, I was again able to offer my sincere apologies for the unacceptable living conditions that many of you have had to experience.

I am determined to resolve the problems that have affected Service family homes and over the last 18 months we have done all in our power to grip the issues.

Maintenance service performance has significantly improved and more than 80% of jobs are now fixed on first visit. Call waiting times have vastly reduced and complaints are at their lowest level since the contracts began. However, there is much more still to do.

New Accommodation Offer Important Update: Extension of SLA Waiver

The New Accommodation Offer has been changed in respect of the Dual Accommodation Expense element of the Offer. 

The waiver of SLA charges relating to PStatCat and age are being retained for now and extended to other cohorts who maintain a main home away from their assigned location. Please see this SWAY for more information.

DIO Families First newsletter - issue 13

To read the lastest Families First newsletter click here 

New Accommodation Offer Booklet - Version 2

Starting from 11 March 2024, the MOD will begin introducing a New Accommodation Offer for our Armed Forces. Some of the changes will happen immediately whilst others may only affect you when you are assigned to a new role or at the end of the three-year transition period.

The planned changes are intended to modernise accommodation entitlements, improve the standard of Single Living Accommodation, update the Overseas Accommodation Offer, increase support to homeowners and, overall, give you more of a say on how you choose to live.

To read the full booklet click here 

New Accommodation Offer: Introduction of the Dual Accommodation Expense

From 1 April 2024, the Army Over 37 Provision will cease and the existing SLA waiver will be replaced by the Dual Accommodation Expense, part of the New Accommodation Offer. For 
further information on the Dual Accommodation Expense, please go to:
this SWAY
​Draft JSP 464, see Part 8 – Payment and Charges, Section 7

Army Briefing Note: ABN 003/2024 (available to MODnet users only)

Victory Services Club: January Newsletter

To read the latest newsletter click here

For more information about the Victory Services Club, please visit:
https://www.vsc.co.uk/