DIO Families First Newsletter – Issue 24

 

This issue and previous issues can be read online 

Give Us Time: March breaks for Forces families

Give Us Time have provided a round up of the breaks they have available for Forces families for March below:

21 – 28 March
Bird’s Nest, Carrick Shore, SW Scotland – property is for 2 people only Airbnb link

17 – 21 March
Letham Feus, Fife, Scotland – 2 bed lodge WITH HOT TUB!

17 – 21 March

STILL AVAILABLE – ALL SLEEP UP TO 6 PEOPLE
Braidhaugh, C Scotland

24 – 28 March
Seawick, Essex

31 March – 4 April
Broadland Sands, Suffolk
Sand Le Mere, East Yorkshire

• As always Our breaks are accommodation only, we cannot cover the costs of food, entertainment, travel etc.
• Breaks are booked on a first come first served basis.
• All the breaks – except Bird’s Nest – are live on the website – The link to create an account/log in is here.
• FAQs including criteria are here 

DIO Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Comms Update

Reporting damp and mould

Tackling damp and mould in SFA remains a top priority for DIO and our suppliers. Over 9,000 homes have already benefited from the delivery of damp and mould works since the taskforce stood up in 2023. In response to the works delivered, reoccurrence of damp and mould has been addressed in circa 85% of cases.

It is important that you report all cases of damp and mould and to let us know of any reoccurrence of the issue so that we can continue to tackle this. Please also see our guide for families that outlines helpful tips to prevent damp and mould developing in your homes.

We are aware of a recent IT issue which may have affected your ability to log damp and mould issues using the online repairs form on Pinnacle’s website. This has now been resolved; however, if you have used the online form to log an issue and have not yet received a follow up call, please call Pinnacle on 0800 031 8628, selecting option 1.

Any issues of damp and mould can also be reported by calling Pinnacle on 0800 031 8628 or emailing repairs@pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk

DIO Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update – Utility Bills

Water bills

We are aware of instances where water providers have written directly to SFA homes, requesting payment of water bills. Families in SFA are not responsible for water charges as a contribution is included in your accommodation fee and so this is paid by DIO. These letters have been sent in error and we apologise for any concern they may have caused. DIO is engaging with water and energy providers to resolve this issue.


If your water provider mistakenly sends you a letter directly to your SFA address, do not make any payments. Please scan, or take a picture of each page of the letter and forward to: DIORDAccn-PFI@mod.gov.uk, as soon as possible. DIO will then work with the water provider to ensure the account details are updated.

DIO Service Family Accommodation (SFA) Communications Update - 24 Jan

Following feedback from families at recent SFA Roadshows; DIO, Pinnacle, Amey and VIVO have opened local housing office drop-in sessions to offer support and guidance face to face. 

The following locations are now available: South West: Larkhill, Plymouth, Blandford, Gosport, and Portsmouth
South East: Windsor, Brize Norton, Brompton, and Aldershot
North: Leuchars and Weeton
Central: Colchester, Cosford, and Waddington

​Dates and times are available on the Pinnacle website.

Raising repairs prior to move-out

It is important to report any necessary repairs in your home even while you're in the process of moving out. This allows for any required work to be completed before a new family moves in, creating a smoother transfer for all. You should report any repair issues by contacting the Pinnacle National Service Centre on 0800 031 8628 or Repairs@pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk

Pinnacle Virtual Outreach Day - Wed 11 Dec

You will be able to access colleagues from Pinnacle's Customer Solutions, Repairs, Home Services and Housing Officer teams who will be on hand to provide you with information on a host of topics. They will also help to answer and resolve any queries and questions you may have.

You can also learn more about Pinnacle's free career and small business support for military families, veterans and communities.

Be part of Pinnacle's Virtual Outreach Day and connect with their representatives via Microsoft Teams. Book your slot by Friday 6th December at Pinnacle Virtual Outreach Day.

Families First newsletter - issue 21

 

This issue and previous ones online: Service Family Accommodation - GOV.UK​

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.