Service Accommodation

What’s it for?

In recognition of your inherently mobile career, frequently remote bases and terms of service, Regular Service and Full Time Reserve Service (Full Commitment) personnel are provided with high quality subsidised accommodation. The type of accommodation offered will be within an appropriate distance of your duty unit and you may be eligible for allowances to support the cost of moving.

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation is responsible for the management of Service Family Accommodation, Substitute Service Family Accommodation and Single Service Substitute Accommodation.

Service Family Accommodation

If you are married, in a civil partnership, or are a single parent with permanent custody of your child/children, you are entitled to Service Families Accommodation (SFA), located within 10 miles of your duty station. The type of accommodation allocated will depend on your rank and/or the size of your family. Additional needs, such as a requirement for an adapted property to meet the needs of the occupants, are also taken into consideration.

If you are living with a partner who is not your legal spouse or civil partner, in an Established Long-Term Relationship (i.e., one that has lasted for more than a year and meets certain evidence criteria which can be found at Paragraphs 0116 and 0117 of JSP 464 vol 1 part 1)  you can apply as eligible to cohabit in surplus SFA in the UK only, where this is available. You must have completed Phase 1 training and be on a regular engagement or a Full Commitment Reservist. In addition, until the launch of the New Accommodation Offer on 11 March 24, if you are assigned to any of the following sites after 30 Oct you will be will be entitled to Service Family Accommodation in the same way as those who are married or in civil partnerships. Visit the Widening of Accommodation Entitlement (Limited Locations) benefit page for more information.  

• RNAS Yeovilton   

• RMB Norton Manor 

• Leuchars Station   

• JHC FS Aldergrove 

• Palace Barracks Holywood 

• Thiepval Barracks Lisburn 

• RAF Shawbury   

• RAF Cosford   

Substitute Service Family Accommodation

If no SFA is available, there is a system to provide broadly equivalent suitable property from the private rental market. This includes the size and specification of the property, and it is to be located within an appropriate radius from your place of duty.

Single Living Accommodation

Single Living Accommodation (SLA) is provided for single and unaccompanied Service personnel. It is normally provided at the duty station in the form of a room (often en-suite) in a Mess or an accommodation block. 

Substitute Service Single Accommodation

If no SLA is available within a 10-mile radius of your duty station, there is a system to provide broadly equivalent accommodation from the private rental market. 

What do I get?

SFA, SLA and Substitute Service Accommodation are all designed to provide you and your family with good-quality, highly subsidised accommodation that is close to your place of work. For SFA, water rates are included in the accommodation charge, but you usually pay any utility bills, direct to the supplier. For SLA, utilities are included in the accommodation charge.

A number of allowances are available to support you with the cost of moving, in particular Disturbance Expense, Movement and Storage of Personal Effects and, Insurance Allowance.

How do I apply?

SLA

When you  are notified that you are to be posted to a new duty station, you should contact your future unit by telephone, email, letter or online application to notify them when you require accommodation. Officers and SNCOs should contact the Presiding Mess Committee (PMC) /Mess Manager, whilst Other Ranks should contact the Quartermaster or the Unit’s accommodation cell. Contract run sites, such as Northwood and Faslane, will have a central booking number which should be in the literature in your welcome pack. Most contact details can be found on the mess tri-Service accommodation database (defnet).

SFA

If you have access to the Defence Intranet, you should complete and submit an application, using e-1132 form (MODnet only). If you don’t have access to the Intranet, complete MOD Form 1132 which can be found in Chapter 4 annex A of JSP 464 vol 1 part 2 and send one copy of the completed form to the Housing Provider serving the Shore Based Unit/Station where you seek accommodation, and one copy to the Ship/Shore based Unit/Station which you are currently assigned.

Any queries should be directed to the Pinnacle National Service Centre on 0800 031 8628  (or on +44 (0) 161 605 3529 if you're overseas). Alternatively, you can email the team at HomeServices@pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk.