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DIO Accommodation - Stakeholder Briefing.

The aim of these Stakeholder Briefings is to keep people in the MOD housing community informed about any issues which may impact on those living in SFA.

The format of this briefing is simple and includes two elements:

1. The text in the white areas is for your information – to provide context rather than to share further.
2. Information in the shaded boxes are customer messages that we would be grateful if you would share at the earliest opportunity on your channels and through your chain of command.

This stakeholder brief includes:

1. SFA Improvement and Maintenance by Service Personnel
2. Scam Emails Awareness

SFA Improvement and Maintenance by Service Personnel

DIO understands that many Service Families wish to increase their sense of ownership of military homes by carrying out their own home improvements. The MOD fully supports empowering families to make their house feel more like a ‘home’ a, and as a result, DIO has issued guidance to staff and families on DIY modifications.

Any DIY task carried out by Service Personnel is notifiable as an Encroachment under the Standard Operating Procedure Encroachments, Service Family Accommodation. The encroachment process currently in place allows Service Personnel, on application, to carry out certain work, following an assessment of the task and its implications within UK Legislative requirements and MOD mandated requirements. This enables local teams to exercise greater judgement and discretion in allowing approved modifications to remain in place when the occupants of that home move out.

DIO’s main priority is ensuring that any DIY works are carried out safely and do not contravene any UK or MoD standards and requirements. If not properly assessed, the MoD would not be able to assure the relevant Health and Safety legislation is adhered to and could expose the Department to legal risk.

Scam Emails Awareness

DIO is aware of a recent spate of phishing and spoof emails, connected to the delivery of the SFA accommodation services, and is currently investigating these through SPOC and DIO’s Chief Information Office (CIO).

'Phishing' is when criminals use scam emails, text messages or phone calls to trick their victims. The aim is often to make you visit a website, which may download a virus onto your computer, or steal bank details or other personal information.

‘Spoofing’ is usually a threat that involves sending email messages with a fake sender address.

More details about these risks can be found via the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) website.