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Military families invited to help shape the future of Service Family Housing
The MOD has today launched the Red Tape Challenge, inviting families to tell us about processes that are getting in the way of them enjoying their homes, so that we can work to change them.
This is just one of a series of new pledges setting out clear commitments to Service families on the quality of their homes, customer service, and ensuring their voices are heard.
For more information and details on how to make a submission, click here.
Housing Matters – Episode 6
Episode 6 of the Housing Matters podcast is out now!
On this episode, actor and campaigner Anthony Cotton joins Emma Brett, Warrant Officer for Defence Homes, to talk about Service family accommodation and why having a home you can be proud of matters.
They discuss the improvements that have been made in recent years, while acknowledging there is still much more to do to ensure Service families have the homes they deserve.
This episode and all other episodes can be found on our “Housing Matters” Defence Homes page here.
Check your boilers!
While the warmer weather is still with us, now is a great time to make sure your boiler is ready for when temperatures eventually start to fall. Heating issues often only become apparent when the system is switched on after a long period of inactivity, so a quick check now could help you avoid problems later in the colder months.
Try turning your heating on and checking that your radiators warm up properly. It is also worth looking at your boiler pressure gauge. Most systems work best with a pressure reading between 1 and 1.5 bar. If the pressure is too low, your heating may not perform as effectively when you need it.
For guidance on how to check the boiler pressure and what to do if you need to top up your boiler pressure, step-by-step videos are available on the Pinnacle website to help you through the process.
Heating oil notice
As fuel prices increase, there is a small but increased risk of fuel theft from households using heating oil. While this affects only a very limited number of families, the following safety advice is intended to help those households reduce the risk of heating oil theft.
To minimise the risk of theft, we ask you to consider these measures if your home requires oil for heating:
- Secure the tank physically by installing a good quality lock on the tank cap. We also recommend contacting Pinnacle to request any foliage that may obscure your tank is trimmed or pruned back.
- Monitor oil levels regularly and keep a record of your usage.
- Work with your neighbours to watch for suspicious activity in your area and report any unusual behaviour to the police.
- Be smart with your deliveries by avoiding letting your tank run empty. Schedule the oil delivery when someone is home and request that suppliers not the leave the oil unattended.
- If a theft does occur report to the police straight away, then report the theft to your unit and Pinnacle. They may ask for your usage records, so it’s important to keep track of them.
Crisis and resilience fund
If you live in SFA, use oil heating, and are having trouble affording a fuel delivery, you may be able to access short‑term support through the Government’s Crisis and Resilience Fund. This funding, provided by local authorities in England, can help with essential living costs where there is an immediate risk to health or wellbeing. For more information, visit GOV.UK.
Families First newsletter
The latest issue of the Families First newsletter, featuring the latest Defence housing news and updates, is now available on the Defence Homes website.