Alternative Accommodation in Emergency Situations

If Modern Housing Solutions (MHS) determine that alternative accommodation is required because your property is uninhabitable, MHS will re-house you and any family members resident with you whilst restorative works are carried out. If no suitable alternative Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) property is available, MHS’s Help Desk will arrange hotel accommodation for you and your family.

What is classed Uninhabitable?

The following items are a guide on what may deem your property uninhabitable:

  • Lack of a working heating system and lack of hot water
  • Property cannot be made secure
  • Major internal disruption such as a collapsed ceiling as a result of internal flooding
  • Long-term absence of one or more utilities; water, gas, electricity.
  • Significant environmental factors such as a leaking oil tank
  • Major H&S or Environmental issue(s) has the potential to endanger human life or cause injury i.e Asbestos, Subsidence, etc.

You should be aware that the above list has been included as a Guidance only. We do have additional requirements that are not included herewith - every job reported will vary depending on the nature of the fault. A final decision will be taken by the DIO Housing Officer during Working Hours (08:00hrs – 16:00hrs) or the Help Desk outside of these hours.

Details of the Service:

If you believe that your property meets the above definition of uninhabitable please contact MHS’s Help Desk on 0800 707 6000.

Our Help Desk will work with DIO Allocations to re-house you and your family in alternative Service Family Accommodation (SFA). If no suitable accommodation is available, MHS’s Help Desk Agent will arrange temporarily hotel accommodation. MHS arranges hotel accommodation on your behalf; MHS will not reimburse any private hotel arrangements.

We will:

  • Take all relevant details from you, including:

 
  • Name of the family member reporting the fault
 
  • Number of family members and age of your children (if applicable)
  • If cots are required for small children
  • Details of any family disability requirements
  • Details of any pets if they require accommodation with you
  • Subject to availability, source the closest Hotel to your home (unless there are none available within a 50 miles radius)
  • Source a hotel with full disability access

You will:

  • Use the hotel arranged by MHS for accommodation, dining and all services.

 
  • Limit expenditure on food and beverages as follows:
  • £10 per person per day (£5 per child under 16 years of age).
  • Note that the £10/£5 allowance is not intended to cover all food consumed. If the customer was in their own home, food would have to be paid for. The £10/£5 is designed to cover the higher costs of hotel or takeaway food.
  • Note that newspapers, laundry, etc are not refundable by MHS.
  • If you exceed £10 per person, per day, you are required to settle any additional costs.

If the works are anticipated to take more than 1 working day, MHS and DIO will attempt to source an alternative SFA. If alternative accommodation is sought, Modern Housing Solutions shall advise the occupants accordingly.