Repairs & Maintenance
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DIO Ops Accommodation SFA Improvement Programme
Offers to improve the insulation of your home
Review of process for New Works
Guidelines to combat condensation and mould
DIO Ops Accommodation SFA Improvement Programme
As previously advised, the MOD review of all expenditure has meant that the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has been cautious about issuing letters to occupants of SFA to notify them of improvement works until funding has been secured.
When funding has been agreed it is important that we start work as soon as practicable – to ensure spend in year. However, this may mean that we cannot give our normal period of notice of the proposed work to customers. For example, whereas we normally aim to give notice in months, we may only be able to give families a few weeks notice. Whilst every effort will be made to carry out the works in a timescale that meets the needs of individuals, DIO does need to ensure that any additional costs, such as extending the overall time contractors are required on site, are kept to a minimum. Therefore, we would appreciate the support of families to help us achieve our planned timescales.
DIO and MODern Housing Solutions (MHS) will continue to give as much notice as possible of intended work starting in SFA properties, and every effort will be made to effectively engage with the families concerned; as well as the local Chain of Command, Family Federations and Unit Welfare. However, we would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused where the notice period is significantly shorter, and we would like to thank customers for their understanding and support in our efforts to make improvements to their homes.
Any concerns about access during the programme of works should be addressed to either the Housing Allocations Service Centre (0800 169 6322), or the contact details provided on notification letters from DIO and/or MODern Housing Solutions.
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Offers to improve the insulation of your home
Various Utility companies and insulation providers offer to install loft and cavity insulation for free, or reduced rates, for their customers – with the promise of lower emissions and lower bills. Naturally this is an attractive offer for some customers in Service Family Accommodation.
However, before Service families sign up for these initiatives, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) would like to advise that all customers carefully read all the terms and conditions of the offer they have received, and ring their Housing Allocations Service Centre (0800 169 6322) to seek authority by asking for an encroachment form which they need to fill in and send back to the HASC who will then decide whether or not to authorise the work before agreeing or signing anything.
This is important because, in accordance with your Licence to Occupy, customers should inform DIO of any changes they wish to make to their SFA - and to ensure that DIO is satisfied those changes are appropriate. In addition, customers may not be aware of future planned improvements in their area such as installing improved loft insulation.
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Review of process for New Works
Customers often ring the MODern Housing Solutions (MHS) helpdesk with enquiries for new works or request work that is outside of the DIO OPS Accommodation contract with MHS.
The current system has led to an expectation from some customers that if they call the helpdesk and their information is taken, then they have successfully organised a request for news works. In turn, customers are disappointed when these requests are subsequently turned down for valid reasons such as policy, non-entitlement or cost.
DIO OPS Accommodation and MODern Housing Solutions are currently reviewing the process to make it clearer for customers at an earlier stage, with the aim of:
- Reducing the likelihood of inappropriate works requests being raised.- Ensuring that customers are given better advice.
- Allowing DIO OPS Accommodation to concentrate on valid works requests for health and safety and additional needs.
More information will follow.
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Guidelines to combat condensation and mould
Condensation is the water produced when warm moist air or steam meets a cold surface such as windows, walls or floors. It is sometimes so severe that householders believe their windows leak or that their house is structurally damp.
Condensation is often more of a problem in newer houses where doors and windows are more draught proof than in older properties, where there is central heating installed and there are no or fewer chimneys.
Condensation can cause mould growth on walls and can damage clothes and furnishings. Controlling it is a matter of reducing sources of water vapour to a minimum and finding the right balance between heating and ventilation in your particular house.
MHS has produced a useful factsheet: Guidelines to combat condensation and mould
