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Moving to Services Families Accommodation Tips
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Once you have received your new posting or draft and you need the SFA (Service Families Accommodation) to get in contact with the HIC’s (Housing Information Centre) as soon as possible on: 0800 1696322.
The application for housing is MOD form 1132 for the UK, and for moves overseas and Northern Ireland use form AFA 10. The form needs to be signed by the Unit or Divisional Officer.
If you need any adaptations to the SFA due to special requirements then you must include an Occupational Therapist Report with your application for SFA to ensure work is done before you move in. This is important.
If you are moving from SFA to another SFA you will be entitled to Disturbance Allowance and Relocation Allowance which includes a removal firm.
When you receive your new address:
1) Once you get your address if possible, you can arrange a pre-advisory visit, this can be organised through the HIC. You can also get the most up to date information about the local area from the Service Community Hive.
2) If you are moving from SFA to SFA you will be entitled to Disturbance Allowance to help cover the costs of moving. This is payable one month in advance of the posting or draft. To apply for Disturbance Allowance please contact the UPO.
3) When you get your moving date, inform the UPO, they will sort out the removal firm for you. The removal firm will then arrange a date to come and do a survey to see how many removal vans they will need. The removal firm do supply packing boxes and can help with the packing on the day.
4) Before the big day arrives you will have a pre-march out. This is where the housing officer comes round and tells you what needs doing before you move out.
In my experience they always pick up the:
- Cleanliness of the cooker
- Cleanliness of the carpets
- The state of the walls, if you have decorated it, it is best to decorate it back to magnolia/ buttermilk.
The SFA needs to be in the same condition as when you moved in.
5) If you are at college/ adult education you can liaise with your college, university or service education to transfer courses and exams to an educational establishment in your area.
6) Once you have got your new address it is important to inform the various agencies of your new address. You can also arrange with the post office for your mail to be redirected for a small fee.
7) The next important thing to do is arrange a change of house insurance to your new house. However, make sure the house or flat you are handing back is still covered as you are still liable for damages, you may be able to claim for these on your insurance.
A week before the big day:
1) Confirm arrangements with your removal firm and discuss packing arrangements.
2) Make arrangements for move day- childcare arrangements, transport, hotels etc.
3) If you have pets make suitable arrangements for their travel.
4) Three days prior to moving pack a bag with essentials. You may need a change of clothes, essential toiletries or medication. Include a survival kit for the other end:
Light bulbs
Toilet rolls
Cash
List of important telephone numbers you might need
5) Day before the move you will need to empty and defrost your fridge freezer.
6) Give a thought to what happens to your pets when the removal people arrive. They will need to leave doors open and have safe access throughout your house so you may wish to make arrangements for your pets.
On the day
Do not panic this can be a very stressful day. Your removal firm will be doing the packing so you can concentrate on the family and pets. Remember to keep your emergency kit and any overnight essentials with you, also have any bits you need to keep the family amused on the journey ready, like a favourite toy, picnic etc.
Once the removal firm have finished packing walk around the house/ flat to ensure you have left nothing behind.
Remember to give your new address to the removal firm as well as an emergency contact number.
The last thing to do is your march out with your housing officer. As part of the march out your utility meters will be read and the house or flat checked against your original handover from when you moved in. Make sure you agree with the move out document before you sign it.
At your new home
When you arrive your housing officer will have the keys and go over your new accommodation. It is important that you check for any existing damage and wear and tear in the house or flat including the walls inside before you sign the handover agreement form.
When the removal firm have finished remember to check they have left nothing in the van, try to get the essential items of furniture like beds assembled first.
Do not sign the removals receipt for the move unless you are sure your belongings have all arrived safely.
Animalgirl
17 days ago
970 comments
Unlikely but contact the accommodation dept for a definitive answer
mandieward08
17 days ago
2 comments
Iam looking for information on forces accommodation and who qualifies. my partner is a submariner in the royal navy and we are unmarrried at the moment but plan on getting married in the near future. I am 7 months pregnant with our first child and have a 4 year old little girl. we are wondering if we can ge forces accommodation before the baby is born with us being unmarried?