Housing
Checklist for this page
New Home Ownership Scheme Moves Armed Forces Up The Property Ladder
NEW 1132 form to be used from 01 Sept 09
MHS Extended Hours Update
National Hedge Reduction Programme Update
Pre-payment Cleaning Scheme – successful pilot in Aldershot leads to roll out across England and Wales
Defence Estates Loft Insulation Programme
Does Disturbance Allowance cover the cost of moving house? - Fill in the AFF Moving Budget form and find out
Condition Surveys Stage 2
National Audit Office Report into Service Families Accommodation
Improved Social Housing Support for Service Personnel and their Families
Irregular Occupancy
14 Day Observation Report
Lampshades - No longer provided
Visitors to Services Families Accommodation
Family Housing Complaints
Service Families Accommodation Move In Standards in England and Wales
Council Tax on Second Homes
Housing Information Centres
MHS Gurkha Translation Service
Retaining a quarter or hiring for educational reasons
Surplus quarters – a place in history?
New Home Ownership Scheme Moves Armed Forces Up The Property Ladder
Members of the Armed Forces looking to buy their own home could benefit from a new home ownership scheme launched by the MOD and DCLG.
Under the pilot scheme, the Government will provide members of the Armed Forces with up to 50 per cent of a property’s value. Unlike similar schemes, personnel will be allowed to purchase properties anywhere in England through a single service provider, in order to meet the needs of the Armed Forces’ mobile workforce.
In addition, applicants can sub-let their properties and will not normally pay any fees on the equity while they remain serving members of the Armed Forces.
The scheme builds on the good work that the Government has already undertaken to ensure that members of the Armed Forces are not disadvantaged by the demands of service life.
Defence Minister, Kevan Jones said: “Getting a first foot on the property ladder is an important step in any young person’s life. By providing the flexibility to live anywhere in England and giving applicants the opportunity to sub let when they are working away from home, we have delivered a scheme that is tailor-made to meet the unique needs of the Armed Forces. This is yet another example of the MOD working with other Government departments to ensure that service men and women get the best deal.”
The £20 million pilot will initially run until Spring 2013 and will be funded by the MOD and managed and delivered by the Homes and Communities Agency.
Junior Housing Minister, Ian Austin said: “We want to help our servicemen and women buy a home of their own that meets the needs of their unique situation. This new scheme, exclusively for the Armed Forces, will give them the chance to buy an affordable home on the open market anywhere across England. On top of this, service personnel will also continue to have priority status and be able to apply for other affordable housing schemes."
Regular members of the Armed Forces who have served between four to six years and could not otherwise afford to get their foot on the ladder will be eligible to apply.
Lindsay Todd, Chief Executive of Radian said: "We are delighted to be working with the Ministry of Defence to deliver this exciting new scheme. We have a strong track record in providing affordable homes, and a great deal of experience in successfully delivering Low Cost Home Ownership schemes to key workers, including Armed Forces personnel and others. We look forward to working with the Ministry of Defence to help even more members of the forces to buy their first home."
Swaythling Housing Society has set up a new website for the scheme at www.afhos.co.uk which includes further information and details of how to apply.
Back to checklistThe New SFA Application Form (1132) MUST be used from 1 Sep 09
Click here to download a copy of the revised MOD Form 1132. Please note that from 1st September 2009 this will be the only version of the 1132 that will be accepted by the Housing Information Centres.
Back to checklistMHS Extended Hours Update
MHS has extended maintenance jobs into the evenings by allowing contractors to continue work up to 8pm with the customer’s approval. This means that rather than the contractor finishing at 4.30pm, they are able to work later to complete the job - meaning that a return visit the next working day would not be required. Saturday morning appointments (8am to 1pm) are also available for restricted appointments such as Landlord Gas Safety Inspections.
MHS are also exploring the option of booking maintenance appointments after 4.30pm. However, this is in the early stages of development and if proven successful, MHS will look at rolling this out to all areas. An update will be made available once the results are known. For further information, visit www.modernhousingsolutions.co.uk
Back to checklistNational Hedge Reduction Programme Update
Defence Estates (DE) have announced the temporary suspension of the hedge reduction programme which they initiated in June this year. DE has said that this is to enable available funding to be targeted at key areas of Service Delivery. Occupants will be contacted before the hedge reduction programme resumes and any work starts on their property. DE also said that in areas where the hedge reduction programme has not yet taken effect, this work will be completed where possible at the next move-out at no cost to the occupant.
Where a hedge has been reduced, maintaining the reduced height will be the occupants responsibility; where hedges have not been reduced, the responsibility will remain with Defence Estates.
If occupants have any queries in respect to the works, they should contact the MHS Helpdesk or email them at info@modernhousingsolutions.co.uk
Addressing Environmental Concerns
MHS have instructed contractors to undertake the hedge cutting programme, following a strict regime of assessing risk, with particular attention to the threat to wildlife. These risk assessments are documented and therefore available should questions and queries be asked by any interested party, be they the occupant themselves, an MHS Inspector or a member of the enforcing or regulatory authorities.
Prior to cutting any hedge the operative must assess the hedge for the risk to wildlife, particularly nesting birds. Operatives follow a detailed method statement which instructs them on how to inspect the hedge to determine if nesting birds are present. If it appears that they are present or, in fact, if the inspection is inconclusive, they are not to complete any cutting activities and move on to the next hedge, repeating an identical risk assessment.
We have received assurances from ISS Waterers (the contractors) that this regime is being strictly adhered to. Copies of the completed risk assessments are forwarded to MHS for inspection and review and MHS Technical Officers continue to monitor all works on site to ensure that the correct processes are being followed.
MHS confirms that they will comply, and insist that their contractor complies, with the requirements of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in respect to nesting birds and wild animals that may be present within hedges at the time the proposed cutting is to take place.
Back to checklistPre-payment Cleaning Scheme – successful pilot in Aldershot leads to roll out across England and Wales
The chosen company to provide the new pre-payment cleaning scheme is Ideal Cleaning Services. Basically it will work like this:
- At pre-move out the DE Housing Officer will outline the pre-payment cleaning scheme to you.
- If requested, a representative from Ideal will then visit you and provide a free of charge, no obligation, quote. This quote is specific to your house and will reflect the amount of work required to get that particular property up to move-out standard.
- If you decide to take up the service you then contact Ideal who will re-visit the property and provide a ‘final’ quote with your agreement. The service is then paid for over the phone by debit or credit card.
- You can then move out of the property on your agreed move-out date and Ideal clean the quarter following handover.
The advantage of the scheme is obvious. It reduces the stress of move-out as all cleaning is guaranteed to move-out standard and is carried out after the family has handed their quarter over.
It should be noted that occupants are still liable for any damages to the property such as stains on carpets that cannot be removed, and they are still required to prepare the garden to move-out standard.
On the basis of the successful pilot scheme carried out in Aldershot, the intention is to extend the scheme to all occupants of SFA in England and Wales serviced by MODern Housing Solutions (MHS). The only exceptions to the scheme are those living in PFI accommodation and SSFA who will need to make alternative arrangements. Unit moves will also be excluded from the scheme due the volume of SFA involved.
Click here for more information and the roll out dates of the scheme.
To find out when the pre payment cleaning scheme goes live in your area add your postcode to the postcode checker.
Back to checklist
Defence Estates Loft Insulation Programme
We all know that over the last year our utility 
bills have risen greatly due to the rises in the wholesale prices of gas and electricity. The newspapers have been full of ideas to help people save money on their fuel bills, one of which is to ensure that your house has the correct amount of loft insulation. Read more >>
So far 3,140 properties have been completed and another 4,233 properties about to start in Phase 2 of the programme. Click here for a table showing the locations.
Back to checklistDoes Disturbance Allowance cover the cost of moving house? - Fill in the AFF Moving Budget form and find out.
See how much your move cost by filling in The AFF Moving Budget form. It’s just for your own information but feel free to e-mail us your completed form by clicking the link at the bottom of the form. Your feedback will help us get an idea of whether Disturbance Allowance is indeed keeping up with the cost of moving house.
New Disturbance Allowance Rates (from Apr 09):
SFA/SSFA £1048
SLA/SSSA £90
Privately Owned £1182
Privately Rented £1048
Child Element £138
Condition Surveys – Stage 2
On behalf of DE, MHS has recently tasked Faithful and Gould to carry out Phase 2 of a Condition Survey on 20% of SFA over the next 6 months. Therefore it would be gratefully appreciated if families could arrange to be available for the surveys which should take no longer than an hour and a half to complete. Further information on the surveys can be accessed via the MHS Website.
Back to checklistNational Audit Office Report into Service Families Accommodation
Housing is the number one issue for Army families and good housing is widely acknowledged as a key retention tool for serving soldiers. In fact the recent Families Continuous Attitude Survey (CAS) listed a total of 11 housing points as lowlights of Army life. Read more >>
Back to checklistImproved Social Housing Support for Service Personnel and their Families
Parliament has amended the Housing Act in favour of Service Personnel who are now entitled to establish a local connection in the same way as civilians do. This will benefit individuals and their families for the purposes of applying for homelessness assistance or social housing in England. Previously, being stationed in an area did not count for the purpose of establishing a local connection with that area.
The change took effect on 1 December, 2008 and is most likely to benefit those about to leave the Forces, those who have recently left, separated partners, and their families. Click here to read the Government letter to local authorities about this.
Although the Government’s letter only refers to ‘someone serving in the Armed Forces’, we have received assurances that the amendment extends to estranged spouses and civil partners.
The Joint Service Housing Advice Office (JSHAO) have produced a comprehensive Question and Answer section on the topic of Local Connection Rules in their latest edition of ‘Housing Matters’. Click here and go to the Page 2 to read more.
The Local Connection recommendation, along with others, has come about as a result of the recently published Command Paper commissioned to support Service personnel, their families and Veterans. Recognising the valuable contribution of the Armed Forces, the Government announced a number of significant measures to ensure that current and ex-service personnel have access to the accommodation that they and their families need. Amongst these recommendations are:
- An extension to the Key Worker living programme - This commitment will extend key worker status to Service leavers for 12 months after discharge (to help with purchase of affordable homes).
- Disabled Facilities Grant eligibility - This will ensure that ex-Service personnel seriously injured in the line of duty will not be denied assistance of up to £30,000 Disabled Facilities Grant to adapt their homes and to make them suitable to live in, because of the compensation they have already received from the MOD.
- Local authority guidance on the recognition of the Certificate of Cessation of Right to Occupy Service Quarter – This document is issued by the MOD to show when a Service person’s entitlement to occupy Service accommodation will end. Or, in the case of family breakdown, when the estranged spouse’s entitlement will end. The Certificate can be used to demonstrate to a local housing authority that the Service leaver will become homeless, rather than having to rely on a court order actually evicting them from the property.
Click here to access Frequently Asked Questions about the housing commitments outlined above.
Back to checklistIrregular Occupancy – What happens when a ‘Notice to Vacate’ has expired?
Irregular Occupancy isn’t a subject commonly discussed, unless you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of perhaps a marital breakdown, or just at the end of your service. Irregular occupancy is something that happens more often than you might think. Forget the term illegal occupancy (as it is often called), there is nothing illegal about finding yourself in a married quarter when your entitlement has ceased. Read more >>
Back to checklist14 Day Observation Report - 
Once you have moved in to your married quarter (including bulk hirings) you have 14 days to note down any concerns that you have about the condition of the property. At move-in your Housing Officer should leave you with a 14 Day Observation Report form to fill in, or you will have received one from the Housing Information Centre (HIC) with your move-in details.. If not, visit the Defence Estates website to download a form. The form can be completed on-line and printed off, or printed off and filled in by hand - it's up to you. The item boxes will expand to accommodate everything you wish to type. Now for the technical bit. Should you require more than 4 serials then the final cells can be split to make more rows. Alternatively find a teenager or an IT whiz to do it for you!
Once you have completed the form you should date and sign it (obviously within 14 days of the move-in date) and send it off to your local Housing Information Centre (HIC). Keep a copy for yourself so that you can refer to it when the time comes to move-out.
Back to checklistCommon Errors when completing the 14 Day Observation Report
Families are often unsure about what to include on the 14 Day Observation Report. As a simple rule of thumb, include items that you do not wish to be charged for when it comes to your move-out e.g. stains on carpets, chips in skirting boards, burns on kitchen units etc. Do not include items that can be repaired, such as a cooker or boiler that's not working properly, dripping taps etc. These jobs should have been repaired prior to move-in but if they are outstanding, or new repairs need to be reported, then you should telephone the appropriate Helpdesk:
ENGLAND & WALES 0800 707 6000
SCOTLAND 0800 328 6337
NORTHERN IRELAND 0800 030 4651
The 14 Day Observation Report will then be held on your Housing File until the time comes for you to move-out. Any repair requests included on the form will not be actioned so do not include them - report them to the Helpdesk.
Back to checklistLampshades - No longer provided - 
Since 21 August 2008, lampshades will no longer be supplied in married quarters. However, the plastic and glass shades that are fitted to a base unit (and usually 
require 2 finger nails and an old knife to separate them to change a light bulb!) will still be replaced. Any strip light covers will also be provided.
As most families usually remove the DE-issued lampshades and store them in various garages and lofts until move-out - before desperately trying to remove 2 years of cobwebs and mould from them before re-hanging - this new policy probably will not cause too much inconvenience. On the other hand is this just the thin end of the wedge? Will we soon be called upon to defend our plastic loo brushes and doormats from withdrawal? Only time will tell, but if you feel strongly about this issue please hit the feedback button and let AFF know.
Back to checklistVisitors to Services Families Accommodation - 
Recent changes to rules on visitors staying in your quarter mean that you are able to apply for them to stay longer than 28 days in any 93 day period with permission from Defence Estates. You must apply in writing, through your Unit Welfare Office, to your local Housing Information Centre (or local housing allocation office if serving abroad). You need to include the following information in your letter, Serving soldier's name, Unit, Address of SFA, Full name and date of birth of your visitors, reason for visit and length of stay. For more detail refer to JSP 464, Part 1, Annex D to Chapter 1.
Back to checklistFamily Housing Complaints
On Monday 28 April 08 AFF did two BBC News interviews about Service Family Accommodation complaints. The main focus of these interviews was complaints received about the communal 'patch' area, and was based on AFF's Jan-Mar 08 Families Concerns report. Read more >>
For a summary of these interviews please click onto http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7372128.stm
Back to checklistService Families Accommodation Move In Standards in England and Wales
AFF asked over 100 people whether their Service Families Accommodation was of an acceptable standard last time they moved. The AFF Survey February 2008 was sent to the Under Secretary of State for Defence, the Chief Executive of Defence Estates, and the Managing Director of MHS
Council Tax on Second Homes
Service families living in MOD housing in England, Scotland and Wales and paying council tax on their own properties in England and Scotland should automatically receive a 50% reduction in council tax on their own property (if it is not rented out). A number of service families are concerned that they now have to pay 90% of council tax on their second homes, instead of the 50% as set down in legislation under the Statutory Instruments (downloadable from the links given below). Families having problems obtaining this discount should show their local authority the Statutory Instruments, and if still unsuccessful should contact the AFF Housing Specialist (email housing@aff.org.uk).
Statutory Instruments 2003
Statutory Instruments 2004
Statutory Instruments 2005
(please note that the second two links amend the first)
Scottish Statutory Instruments 2005
Useful link: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/local-government/17999/22220
Council tax: members of the armed services - Click here for full details.
Back to checklistHousing Information Centres
Housing Information Centres (HICs) are the primary points of contact with the customer offering a ‘one stop shop’ on all housing issues including the allocation of SFA at your new duty station. If your enquiry is of a general nature it will be routed to the first available person at any of the seven HICs. This is because general enquiries - such as the implications of leaving the Service or learning about your entitlement to housing - can be answered by any of the staff wherever they are. But if your call is specific to a particular location - such as the need to arrange a move in or out - you will need to select the relevant HIC from the options offered. A downloadable map shows the geographic area covered by each HIC. When calling please listen carefully to the instructions you will hear.
The Housing Information Centre (HIC) Location map includes postal and email addresses
HICs can be contacted in the UK through the free-phone telephone number: 0800 169 6322
From Overseas phone 01904 418000 or Mil (9) 4510 8000
They are open from 0830 to 1630 hrs and are manned by experienced DE staff. On the last Wednesday of the month HICs will close at 1300hrs for staff training.
Some of the HICs’ main responsibilities are to manage the application process in accordance with the rules and regulations laid down in Tri Service Accommodation Regulations (JSP 464) Chapter 5 and in particular to:-
- Acknowledge receipt of the application form (MOD Form 1132) and allocate SFA in accordance with the applicant’s entitlement and availability
- Identify any additional needs or disability requirements and liaise with appropriate welfare authorities
- Manage the provision of Non-Availability Certificates (NAC) in cases where SSFA needs to be utilised
- Maintain JPA records for incoming and outgoing occupants
- Consider and action requests for retention of SFA
- Deal with enquiries from prospective occupants on any aspect of the allocation process
MHS Gurkha Translation Service
MHS have introduced a Gurkhali translation service at the Helpdesk. This is proving to be extremely useful. However families need to make sure that when the Helpdesk operator answers and acknowledges the need for the translation service, it will take a few minutes for the translation link to be established. Please wait for the link. Some families appear to be hanging up before the link can be established.
Back to checklistRetaining a quarter or hiring for educational reasons
Families who have children reaching critical examination periods may apply for retention for up to four months (one academic term) leading to the final public examination. Also, where it is not possible for the child to transfer schools whilst within two years of public examinations (because of school availability, regional syllabus differences or Continuous Assessment Work), then retention is possible up to the public examination. Read more >>
Back to checklistSurplus quarters – a place in history?
The number of surplus quarters is decreasing and their availability is slipping into history. I have received numerous calls from eligible personnel who have been told that there are no surplus quarters available in many areas. Read more >>
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