Section 2 | "Living in the UK"
Choose an Option
Setting Up Your Home
Included In this Section
Accommodation
NOTE: Do not try to source your own accommodation – the London based Admin Team are best placed to help you settle into the UK
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If available, ADF personnel on exchange or under training with British Forces (who are accompanied by their spouse) are able to live in a British MQs.
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The UK Ministry of Defence bill the High Commission directly, but if you receive a bill for the rent – send it on to the London based support team and they will pay on your behalf.
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For security and recall reasons, HADS(L) expects housing to be located within 15kms from the member’s place of employment.
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Any member wishing to live beyond the 15km radius is to provide written justification seeking approval from the Senior Personnel Officer (this applies to mid-posting moves as well).
To Consider
NOTE: Housing in the UK is based on suitability against UK standards and entitlements, not Australian standards and entitlements.
TV Licence
NOTE: Non payment can result in a £1,000 fine.
In the United Kingdom, a TV Licence is legally required to:
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watch or record TV on any channel - via any TV service (e.g. Sky, Virgin, BT, Freeview, Freesat)
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watch TV live on any streaming service (e.g. ITVX, Channel 4, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV, Sky Go)
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watch BBC iPlayer.
On any device.
The TV licence helps to fund the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). If you are in the UK Diplomatically, you will be able to apply for an exemption, if you are in the UK non-Diplomatically, you will have to pay the licence fee unless you make a declaration that you do not need a licence.
From 1 April 2024 a TV Licence costs £169.50.
Furniture
Furniture Allowance:
In London, you will be entitled to a combined allowance for rent and furniture. This total amount can be spent purely on rent (but then you will need to self fund any furniture requirements you may have). Questions about furniture can be directed to the London based admin team directly.
Monthly Regional UK furniture hire ceilings for Married Quarters and privately rented properties outside of London from 01 Jul 2023:
Council Tax
NOTE: It is a legal requirement to pay Council Tax (unless exempt).
Council Tax is imposed by local authorities. And upon moving into your new residence you will receive a Council Tax Notification with a payment amount.
Do you need to pay Council Tax?
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Members of the ADF are exempt from paying Council Tax.
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Notify the London based admin support team – they will notify the Council of the exemption.
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Defence Civilians are required to pay Council Tax.
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Notify the London based admin support team – they will make the payment to the Council on your behalf.
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Waste Collections
What day is bin day?
Do you need a wheelie bin / sacks?
Is there a separate collection for recycling / green waste / glass?
Your local council will be able to help you. Find the website for your local council using this link:
Find your local council - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Utilities
Am I entitled to reimbursement?
All posted Members are entitled to reimbursements of their:
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Gas
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Electricity
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Water, and
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Coal, Wood or Oil
How to set-up and claim reimbursement:
Step 1 (Register Utilities):
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You need an address (Personnel in Married Quarters have to set up their own utilities).
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HCR will put you on to PleaseConnectMe and they will automatically connect you to services.
Step 2 (Pay For Your Utilities):
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DO NOT pay monthly direct debit.
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Ensure your meter reading is accurate and call them with the reading.
Step 3 (Get Reimbursed For Your Utility Payments):
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Make timely payments (the High Commission will not cover late fees).
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Submit a utility claim form with a copy of the bill and evidence of payment.
Worldwide Insurance
Annual renewal:
Reimbursement for your initial policy should have been processed by the OAT prior to your arrival at post. Please contact the OAT if you have a query about the reimbursement for your initial policy.
ADF & APS members may claim reimbursement of worldwide multi-risk insurance for any second and subsequent policies.
Members are required to pay for the policy in full and include the original insurer's receipt along with the section of your policy showing a breakdown of costs if this is not already on the receipt.
There are no forms that need to be completed for this reimbursement.
You must send the official receipt (email is sufficient) to Defence Finance Officer - london.finance@defence.gov.au for the entitled reimbursement. This will be converted into GBP and deposited into your UK bank account only.
The AHC will reimburse cover for goods insured up to $53,000 AUD. The policy fee is reimbursed; however any additional cover over the $53,000 AUD is at the members own expense.
Additional “extras” cover is NOT reimbursed even if the total of your policy is under $53,000 AUD. You will be reimbursed what it cost to insure your goods only.