Condition Surveys - Phase 2

Faithful and Gould, a consultancy acting on behalf of MHS, are continuing to carry out condition surveys on SFA across England and Wales. Phase One was completed last year (2008) with around 90% of the housing stock successfully surveyed.

After receiving the results of Phase One, Defence Estates (DE) have asked us to gather additional information. Phase Two of the Condition Survey is now in place and will target 20% of SFA properties. Phase Two, which is programmed for completion in August 2009, is targeting the 10% of properties not surveyed in Phase One and 10% of properties already surveyed which have been chosen at random.

The Condition Surveys programme provides a comprehensive insight into the housing stock of Service Family Accommodation (SFA) in England and Wales. It provides our Client, Defence Estates (DE), with key information which will helps target requirements under the Strategic Facilities Plan (SFP) Upgrade Programmes. To learn more about the SFP, please click here.

There are substantial long-term benefits for the Occupants in carrying out these surveys as disruption to Occupants will be reduced as fewer will be required. The surveys will provide MHS with detailed information relating to the assets in the SFA i.e. make and model of boiler, etc, which will help eradicate additional call-outs for just one job.

When will the Phase 2 Survey take place?

A letter will be sent two weeks prior to the survey being carried out with an appointment date. If the occupant is unable to make the appointment time stated in the appointment letter, the occupant will need to advise the local liaison officer or contact the Project Officer as detailed in the letter. In addition, a local liaison officer may visit the property and introduce himself/herself to the occupant before the survey is carried out to confirm the appointment and explain what the survey entails.

The survey takes on average around 1.5 hours to complete. On arrival, the Surveyor will show their MHS ID Card which the Occupant can check via the MHS Help Desk (0800 707 6000) to verify the individual’s identity if they wish. The Surveyor carries out all the work by themselves and does not need to ask the Occupant for any information.

Once the Surveyor has completed his/her assessment of the property by completing the necessary requirements on his/her handheld device, the information is then electronically transmitted back to the head-office and the information checked before the Surveyor leaves the property. This is to prevent the requirement for future revisits.

Occupants should be aware that the Survey does not affect or influence the grading of the SFA in accordance with JSP 464. Nor will the Surveyor make comments about the standard of the SFA or works under Response Maintenance.

No-Access Rates:

Inevitably there was a high-number of properties that we were unable to gain access to during Phase One even though an appointment had been arranged. As the Condition Surveys will reap great improvements in the long-run to both the SFA and collective Estate, we kindly ask that Occupants meet these appointment times or contact the Project Office (detailed in the letter) if they are unavailable. If Occupants have any feedback that can be shared with us in order to reduce the high-number of no-access rates, please do not hesitate to email us the address below.

Contact Details:

If Occupants would like further information on the surveys or have any issues or concerns, please contact us at the following email address as we would be happy to assist.

info@modernhousingsolutions.co.uk