Snapshot of NEM(May 2015 Edition)


The Combined Accommodation Assessment System (CAAS) SFA - UK Ex There are differences with overseas CAAS, these will be covered by a separate communications product from JFC. n


Accommodation charges will be determined by Three Factors: Condition, Scale and Location. Where a standard is not, or cannot, be met the charge is reduced to reflect the deficiency from the target standard. Against each of these factors, SFA will fall into one of three incremental levels.


Condition What makes a decent home ?


• Effective Drainage • Adequate lighting, heating & ventilation • Safe electrics • Effective noise & thermal insulation • Buiding in safe & reasonable state of repair • Efficient boilers / plumbing • Kitchen of adequate size and layout • Efficient heating • Energy efficient • Appropriately located bathroom


A Decent Home is determined by the national standard and requires SFA properties to meet all of the following four criteria:


• It meets the statutory minimum standard for housing; • It is in a reasonable state of repair (assessed from the age and condition of a range of building components including walls, roofs, windows, doors, chimneys, electrics and heating systems);


• It has reasonably modern facilities and services (assessed according to the age, size and layout/location of the kitchen, bathroom andWC and any common areas for blocks of flats, and to noise insulation);


• It has a reasonable degree of thermal comfort. This is assessed using the Government’s Standard Assessment Procedure for measuring energy efficiency. n


Scale


The scale element of CAAS is based on two factors: size and features (functional amenity and physical characteristics), benchmarked against DCLG national space standards. Each property will be assessed as Upper, Middle or Lower scale based on the following criteria:


Size Properties will be assessed based on either one of the following size criteria:


1. A measure of the overall size – the Gross Internal Area (GIA) (measured in accordance with Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Code of Practice); or


2. A measure of the habitable space – the Effective Floor Area (EFA) (measured in accordance with Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Code of Practice); a cumulative floor area of the kitchen, sitting, dining, bedrooms, dressing room and study.


The measure of habitable space (EFA) does not apply if the overall size (GIA) has already been applied.


LevelCondition 1Decent Homes Plus (DH+) 2Decent Homes (DH) 3


Decent Homes Minus (DH-) (Will not be allocated after Apr 16)


Features CAAS will provide a discount if a property lacks certain functional amenities. The measures of size and


features are used to identify properties that are affected by one or more of the scale factors to produce an overall CAAS classification (Upper, Middle or Lower). A rental discount will be applied to


properties by adjusting the property to a reduced Scale category, with the starting level set at Upper (no discount), and the lowest rent level capped at the Lower category. n


Location


Assessment Criteria Location assessment is based o to services and determined by a classification system, using indi property postcodes. Each prope assessed as Urban, Intermediate based on the following criteria:


Accessibility The overall measure of average by assessing travel time to eigh key amenities:


• Food store • GP • Public transport pick-up po • Primary school • Secondary school • Further education institutio • Hospital • Town centre


This is measured by public trans using Department for Transport indicators, at the following thre


1. Urban (less than 20 minutes 2. Intermediate (between 20 a minutes); or


Assessment Process


SFA will be assessed by a combination of surveys and extrapolation of survey results. More than 8,000 surveys have been carried out to date primarily in empty SFA to minimise disruption to occupants. During the period May – Nov 15 further surveys will be


carried out, including occupied SFA (you will be advised in writing if your SFA has been selected for survey). It is expected that a significant proportion of SFA will need to be surveyed. A survey looks at the condition and scale criteria (location


has already been calculated). The survey programme will focus on example houses that


are the same by age, design, condition and energy rating; similar SFA will be gathered into groups of 2 or more, and within a group a minimum of 2 surveys will be carried out.


OctNov Dec JanFeb 2015 When can I expect to see more&where?


May 15: Test communications of CAAS at RAFWyton – Tri Service Unit.


May - Nov 15: Continued assessment and surveys of SFA.


As at May 2015 Produced by Air Media Centre, HQ Air Command. 1539_15SJD © UK MOD Crown Copyright, 2015


Jul 15: Receive estimate CAAS Band & explanation of methodology and transition to CAAS. No appeal at this stage.


Between Sep Receive final C plan for your S at this stage.


More than 4,000 groups have been identified to date


and this figure is expected to increase as the survey programme progresses. Within a group, if the results of the survey sample are the


same, they will be extrapolated to the remainder of the group. Where we have extrapolated SFA, we will do a number of sample surveys to confirmbandings. If differences are found, at least 2 new groups will be created,


and the process will start again. DIO know that there are large groups that will need fewer surveys as all the SFA are the same and have been recently upgraded. There will also be estates with many groups because they have a wider range of SFA by age and design, and these will require more surveys. The assessments are subject to an assurance process by


Carillion Amey and separately by DIO. The results of the condition and scale assessment will be combined with the location criteria, and the CAAS Band calculated. n


MarApr MayJun Jul AugSep OctNov Dec JanFeb 2016 MarApr


The roadmapto fairer charges


n Details released on the Combined Accommodation Assessment System


n Survey of properties n Estimates of rent bandings sent to householders n Final confirmation of rent bandings issued n Newcharging rates come into effect


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