Official Statistics

Questionnaire for the Single Living Accommodation Lived Experience Survey 2022

Published 22 September 2022

Introduction

Single Living Accommodation (SLA) Lived Experience Survey: Understanding the views of Service personnel on Single Living Accommodation (SLA)

Invitation to take part:

We are inviting you to take part in this survey about Single Living Accommodation. This survey provides an opportunity for you to share your views and experiences of Single Living Accommodation and ensure your views help shape the future of Defence accommodation.

What is the purpose of the research?

The purpose of this research is to understand what Service personnel want and need from Single Living Accommodation and how it is currently being used. The outputs of this research will be used to inform and shape decisions on the future design of SLA.

Who is doing this research?

The research is being led and conducted by the Defence People Accommodation team, part of MOD Head Office.

Why have I been invited to take part?

You have been invited to take part as we are keen to hear from all Service personnel, regardless of whether they currently use SLA or not.

Do I have to take part?

No, participation is entirely voluntary.

What will I be asked to do?

You will be asked to complete a short, online survey that will take you around 10 – 15 minutes to complete. The survey will be completely anonymous, and we will not be collecting any personal information.

Are there any direct benefits to me of taking part?

There are no direct benefits of taking part. There will be wider benefits to Defence as conclusions drawn from this research will be used to inform decisions about Single Living Accommodation.

What are the possible disadvantages (or risks) of taking part?

There are no anticipated disadvantages to taking part.

Can I withdraw from the research and what will happen if I withdraw?

Participants can withdraw at any time before or during the survey. Up until you complete the survey, your responses will not be saved. Once you submit your responses, your data cannot be withdrawn as it will not be identifiable.

Will I receive any expenses or payments?

No expenses or payments are offered.

Who do I contact if I have any questions?

Personal information removed

Who do I contact if I have a complaint?

Personal information removed

Who has reviewed the study?

This study has been reviewed and given favourable opinion by the Navy Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC).

Further Information and Contact Details

Personal information removed

Compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki

This study will be conducted in accordance with the principles defined in the Declaration of Helsinki as adopted at the 64th WMA General Assembly at Fortaleza, Brazil in October 2013.

Section: Consent

Consent Form

1. MOD will only use the information collected through this survey to inform and shape decisions on the future design of SLA.

2. If you are invited to fill out a free text box, please do not share any information that could allow you or others to be identified.

3. Your answers will only be shared with the Accommodation Analysis team. We will not pass the information we collect to anyone else without your consent.

4. The information collected will be retained for ten years, unless there is evidence of an ongoing business requirement.

5. MOD will ensure that all personal data is processed in compliance with UK Data Protection legislation and the MOD Privacy Notice.

By ticking “I agree” you are confirming that you wish to participate in this survey, and you agree to provide your personal data for the purposes described above.

If you do not agree, please exit the survey by closing your browser.

Do you agree to participate in this survey? [Mandatory]

If you do not wish to participate, please exit this survey by closing your browser.

I agree

Section: About you

We would like to ask you some questions about you

D1A: Which Service do you serve in? [Mandatory]

Choose one of the following answers:

1. Royal Navy
2. Royal Marines
3. Army
4. Royal Air Force

D1B: What is your Cap Badge? [Asked only to respondents who answered ‘Army’ in D1A]

Choose one of the following answers:

1. AAC
2. AGC(ALS)
3. AGC(ETS)
4. AGC(MPS)
5. AGC(RMP)
6. AGC(SPS)
7. AMS
8. INF
9. INT CORPS
10. R SIGNALS
11. RA
12. RAC
13. RAMC
14. RAPTC
15. RE
16. REME
17. RLC
18. SASC

D1C: Are you regular or reserve force? [Mandatory]

Choose one of the following answers:

1. Regular
2. Reserve

D2: What area of defence do you work for? [Mandatory]

Choose one of the following answers:

1. Head Office (including MOD Main Building London and Bristol)
2. UK Strat Comm
3. DE&S
4. DNO
5. Air
6. Army
7. Navy
8. DIO
9. Other

D3: What is your assigned place of duty? [Mandatory]

Choose one of the following answers:

1. SE England
2. SW England
3. London
4. N England
5. Midlands
6. Wales
7. Scotland
8. Northern Ireland
9. Europe
10. Rest of World

D4: What is your current Rank?  [Mandatory]

Choose one of the following answers:

1. Seaman, Marine, Private or Aircraftman (OR1-3)
2. Junior NCO (LCpl or Cpl) (OR4)
3. Senior NCO (PO or Sgt and above) (OR6-OR9)
4. Warrant Officer (OR8/9)
5. Officer (OF1-OF2)
6. Officer (OF3-OF4)
7. Senior Officer (RN Capt, Col, Gp Capt or above) (OF5+)

D5: What is your length of service? [Mandatory]

Choose one of the following answers:

1. Less than 12 months
2. At least 12 months but not more than 2 years
3. At least 2 years but not more than 4 years
4. At least 4 years but not more than 8 years
5. At least 8 years but not more than 12 years
6. At least 12 years but not more than 16 years
7. At least 16 years but not more than 22 years
8. 22 years or more

D6: What is your age?

Choose one of the following answers:

1. 16 - 18
2. 19 - 24
3. 25 - 34
4. 35 - 44
5. 45 - 54
6. 55 - 64
7. 65+
8. Prefer not to say

D7A: What is your sex?

Choose one of the following answers:

1. Male
2. Female
3. Prefer not to say

D7B: Is the gender you identify with the same as your sex registered at birth?

Choose one of the following answers:

1. Yes
2. Prefer not to say
3. No (Please enter your gender identity) [Text Box]

D8: What is your ethnic group?

Choose one of the following answers:

1. White
2. Mixed/Multiple ethnic groups
3. Asian/Asian British
4. Black/African/Caribbean/Black British
5. Other ethnic group
6. Prefer not to say

D9A: What is your working pattern?

Check all that apply:

1. Full-time (FT) - office hours
2. Full-time (FT) - shifts
3. Full-time (FT) Alternative Working Arrangements (AWA)
4. Part-time (PT)
5. Maternity, Adoption or Shared Parental Leave
6. Long-term sick leave
7. Other flexible working option (please specify) [Text Box]

D9BFT: Full-time (FT) Alternative Working Arrangements (AWA) - Please specify: [Asked only to respondents who answered ‘Full-time (FT) Alternative Working Arrangements (AWA)’ in B9A]

Choose one of the following answers:

1. FT AWA Remote working (RW) / hybrid working (HW)
2. FT AWA variable start and finish times
3. FT AWA compressed hours (CH)

D9BPT: Part-time (PT) - Please specify: [Asked only to respondents who answered ‘Part-time (PT)’ in B9A]

Choose one of the following answers:

1. Part-time (PT) - (20%) reduction
2. Part-time (PT) - (40%) reduction
3. Restricted Separation (RS)
4. Part-time (PT) - (20%) reduction and Restricted Separation
5. Part-time (PT) - (40%) reduction and Restricted Separation

D10: What is your Personal Status Category (PStat Cat)?

Choose one of the following answers:

1. PStat Cat 1 - Married or civil partnered - living with spouse
2. PStat Cat 2 - Has parental responsibility
3. PStat Cat 3 - Provides financial support to spouse/former spouse or children by voluntary agreement.
4. PStat Cat 4 - Provides financial support under an order made by a court whom is not Pstat 1 or 2.
5. Pstat Cat 5 - Single member of the AF
6. PStat Cat 5 - Other (Please specify) [Text Box]
7. Cohab long term partner/ LTRE- Living together, not married or civil partnered

Section: Use of Single Living Accommodation

We are now going to ask you about your use of Single Living Accommodation (SLA)

S1: What is your current accommodation? (Please choose all that apply)

Check all that apply:

1. Single Living Accommodation (SLA)
2. Substitute Single Service Accommodation (SSSA)
3. Service Family Accommodation (SFA)
4. Substitute Service Family Accommodation (SSFA) - as my home/ primary place of residence
5. Non-MOD owned/managed accommodation
6. Future Accommodation Model (FAM) option
7. Other (Please specify) [Text Box]

S1A1SLA: SLA – Please specify [Asked only to respondents who answered ‘Single Living Accommodation (SLA)’ in S1]

Choose one of the following answers:

1. SLA as my home/ primary place of residence
2. SLA (Permanently allocated) - as a commuter. I have a home (Privately Maintained or Owned Property) I return to on weekends and/or stand-down.
3. SLA (Temporary) booked as required - as a commuter. I have a home (Privately Maintained or Owned Property) that I remotely work from and I return to on weekends and/or stand-down.
4. SLA Hotels booked as required - as a commuter. I have a home (Privately Maintained or Owned Property) that I remotely work from and I return to on weekends and/or stand-down.

S1A2SSSA: SSSA [Asked only to respondents who answered ‘Substitute Single Service Accommodation (SSSA)’ in S1]

Choose one of the following answers:

1. SSSA - as my home/primary place of residence
2. SSSA - as a commuter. I have a home (Privately Maintained or Owned Property) I return to on weekends and/or stand-down.

S1A3SFA: SFA – Please specify [Asked only to respondents who answered ‘Service Family Accommodation (SFA)’ in S1]

Choose one of the following answers:

1. SFA as my home/primary place of residence
2. SFA - I have a residence (Privately Maintained or Owned Residence) I return to on weekends and/or stand-down.

S1A5NonMOD: Non-MOD owned/managed accommodation – Please specify [Asked only to respondents who answered ‘Non-MOD owned/managed accommodation’ in S1]

Choose one of the following answers:

1. Private Property - within 50 miles as my home
2. Private Property - exceeds 50 miles from my place of duty as my home, with no requirement for temporary SLA or SSSA

S1A6FAM: Future Accommodation Model (FAM) option – Please specify [Asked only to respondents who answered ‘Future Accommodation Model (FAM) option’ in S1]

Choose one of the following answers:

1. FAM PRS (Private Rental Sector)
2. FAM Maintain Own Home (MOH)

S2: Which of the following best describes your typical use of SLA? [Asked only to respondents who did not answer ‘Single Living Accommodation (SLA)’ in S1]

Choose one of the following answers:

1. I do not currently use SLA, but I have permanently or temporarily resided in SLA in the last 12 months
2. I do not currently use SLA, but I have permanently or temporarily resided in SLA between 1 and 2 years ago
3. I do not currently use SLA, but I have permanently or temporarily resided in SLA between 3 and 5 years ago
4. I do not currently use SLA, but I have permanently or temporarily resided in SLA between 6 and 10 years ago
5. I do not currently use SLA, but I have permanently or temporarily resided in SLA more than 10 years ago
6. I have never lived in SLA but may plan to in the future

S3: In a typical week, how many nights do you currently spend living in SLA? If you do not have a ‘typical week’, please give the average number of nights per week you have spent in SLA over the previous 4 weeks. [Asked only to respondents who answered ‘Single Living Accommodation (SLA)’ in S1]

Choose one of the following answers:

1. Less than once a week
2. 1 night
3. 2 nights
4. 3 nights
5. 4 nights
6. 5 nights
7. 6 nights
8. 7 nights

S4: In what way has (or will) your use of SLA change due to the impact of COVID-19 working practices, if at all? [Asked only to respondents who answered ‘Single Living Accommodation (SLA)’ in S1]

Choose one of the following answers:

1. I now (or will) remotely work from my family home the majority of the time and only require SLA less than 1 night per week.
2. I now (or will) remotely work from my family home the majority of the time and only require SLA less than 2 nights per week.
3. I now (or will) remotely work from my family home at times and only require SLA less than 3 nights per week.
4. I now (or will) remotely work from my family home at times and only require SLA less than 4 nights per week.
5. No change to use of SLA
6. Other change

Section: Temporary use of SLA

We are now going to ask you about temporary use of SLA. Please answer these questions whether you currently use SLA or not

S5: What would you consider to be the maximum number of nights someone could stay in SLA for it to still be classed as temporary?

(Note: Permanent SLA is a permanently allocated bedspace/room/SSSA. SLA Temporary is service provided accommodation (SLA/hotel) booked as and when required with no provision/limited provision for storage of personal possessions.)

Choose one of the following answers:

1. I would consider staying in SLA less than 1 night a week to be temporary use
2. I would consider staying in SLA less than 2 nights a week to be temporary use
3. I would consider staying in SLA less than 3 nights a week to be temporary use
4. I would consider staying in SLA less than 4 nights a week to be temporary use
5. I would consider staying in SLA less than 5 nights a week to be temporary use
6. I would consider staying in SLA less than 6 nights a week to be temporary use

S6: If SLA was offered on a temporary basis similar to a hotel, how would you prefer to ‘book’ use of this?

Choose one of the following answers:

1. Online booking tool
2. Clerks
3. Email to administrator
4. Other (please specify) [Text Box]

S7A: To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement:

If SLA was offered on a temporary basis similar to a hotel, I would be content to stay in a true mixed-rank block

1. Strongly agree
2. Agree
3. Neither agree nor disagree
4. Disagree
5. Strongly disagree

S7B: Why is this?

[Text Box]

S8: To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement:

If SLA was offered on a temporary basis similar to a hotel, I would be content to stay in a mixed-rank block where Senior and Junior ranks were separated by floor

1. Strongly agree
2. Agree
3. Neither agree nor disagree
4. Disagree
5. Strongly disagree

S9: Thinking about storage needs if you were to use SLA temporarily, would you consider yourself to be in a role where you would require specified storage (i.e. a storage locker/specified space) for your role-related belongings or sports kit?

Choose one of the following answers:

1. Yes – I would require extensive storage (e.g. multiple wardrobes worth)
2. Yes – I would require some storage (e.g. one wardrobe worth)
3. No – I would not require any storage
4. Unsure

S10: If SLA was offered on a temporary basis similar to a hotel, would you anticipate any issues with storage of kit and equipment?

Choose one of the following answers:

1. Yes
2. No
3. Not sure

S11: To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: If SLA was offered on a temporary basis similar to a hotel, I would be content with a differing level of provision (i.e. room size) being available than in permanent SLA accommodation?

1. Strongly agree
2. Agree
3. Neither agree nor disagree
4. Disagree
5. Strongly disagree

Section: Satisfaction

[Section asked only to respondents who answered question S1 with response option A1-A3 or question S2 with response option A1-A3]

We are now going to ask you about your satisfaction with your use of SLA

O1: How satisfied are you or have you been with the following aspects of SLA:

1. The overall quality of SLA
2. The value for money
3. The response to requests for maintenance/repair
4. The quality of maintenance/repair work
5. The allocation process
6. Current snack preparation facilities
7. Communal space provision
8. Convenience (e.g. of leaving kit at SLA; not having to commute)
9. WIFI provision
10. Heating and hot water
11. Lighting
12. Welfare provision on site i.e. gym
13. Parking facilities

Answered using the following options:

1. Very satisfied
2. Satisfied
3. Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied
4. Dissatisfied
5. Very dissatisfied
6. N/A / Don’t Know

O1B: If you would like to include any details for your ratings please include them here:

[Text Box]

O2: Does your experience of SLA impact on your intention to stay or leave the Service?

Choose one of the following answers:

1. Increases my intentions to stay
2. Has no effect on my intentions to stay or leave
3. Increases my intentions to leave
4. Unsure

O3: Why is this?

[Text Box]

O4: Do you think policy should permit a service person to have a pet in SLA?

Choose one of the following answers:

1. Yes, I think SP should be permitted to keep a pet in SLA
2. No, I don’t think SP should be permitted to keep a pet in SLA
3. I don’t have an opinion on pets in SLA

Section: Value for Money

[Section asked only to respondents who answered question S1 with response option A1-A2]

We are now going to ask you some questions about SLA and value for money

V1A: If you currently live in or use SLA, what grade is your SLA accommodation?

Choose one of the following answers:

1. 1
2. 2
3. 3
4. 4
5. Below 4
6. SSSA
7. Don’t know

V1B: How much do you pay per month for your SLA accommodation? Please input an amount (£) [Asked only to respondents who answered ‘Don’t know’ in V1A]

Only numbers may be entered in this field.

[Text Box]

V2: How satisfied are you with the quality of your SLA, based on what you pay for it per month?

Choose one of the following answers:

1. Very satisfied
2. Satisfied
3. Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied
4. Dissatisfied
5. Very Dissatisfied

V3: Why is this?

Choose one of the following answers:

1. I believe I pay a fair amount for the quality of accommodation I utilise
2. I believe I pay too much for the quality of accommodation I utilise
3. The quality of accommodation is too low regardless of the cost
4. I believe I pay too little for the quality of accommodation I utilise
5. Other reason(s) – please specify [Text Box]

V4: When using SLA, if you had the option to pay more money for a better quality SLA, would you do so?

Choose one of the following answers:

1. Yes, I would prefer to pay more for better quality SLA
2. No, I would not like to pay more for better quality SLA
3. I am happy with both my current costs and accommodation quality
4. Unsure

V5A: When using SLA, if you had the option to pay less for a lower quality SLA, would you do so?

Choose one of the following answers:

1. Yes, I would prefer to pay less for lower quality SLA
2. No, I would not like to pay less for lower quality SLA
3. I am happy with both my current costs and accommodation quality
4. Unsure

V5B: Why is this?

[Text Box]

V6: When using SLA, which of the following amenities, if any, would you like to have included in SLA for you to feel you are getting good value for money? Please tick all that apply.

Please then indicate your top 3 priorities by putting a number in the relevant text box, with 1 being the highest priority to you. The rest of the boxes can be left blank, unless you would like to add an additional amenity using the ‘other - please specify’ box.

Comment only when you choose an answer.

1. WIFI [Text Box]
2. Better quality WIFI [Text Box]
3. En-suite [Text Box]
4. Larger room [Text Box]
5. Enhanced cooking facilities compared to current snack preparation facilities [Text Box]
6. Double bed [Text Box]
7. More storage [Text Box]
8. Maintenance and repair contact [Text Box]
9. Parking [Text Box]
10. Other (please specify) [Text Box]

V7: Which of these amenities that you chose above would you be willing to pay more for?

List to show choices made in question V6

Section: Future Design of SLA

We are now going to ask you some questions about what you would like to see in SLA in the future

F1: What facilities and/or services would you want/expect to see in SLA in the future? Please tick all that apply.

Please then indicate your top 3 priorities by putting a number in the relevant text box, with 1 being the highest priority to you. The rest of the boxes can be left blank, unless you would like to add an ‘other’ facility/service in the ‘other - please specify’ box.

Comment only when you choose an answer

1. WIFI [Text Box]
2. Better quality WIFI [Text Box]
3. Access to WIFI in café or hub [Text Box]
4. Larger room [Text Box]
5. En-suite [Text Box]
6. Communal space [Text Box]
7. Snack preparation (Note: minimum fridge, freezer, microwave) [Text Box]
8. Enhanced cooking facilities (Note: A step up from snack preparation including comprehensive cooking facilities inclusive of a cooker) [Text Box]
9. Double bed [Text Box]
10. Access to a workspace in my room [Text Box]
11. More toilets/showers/ablutions [Text Box]
12. More laundry facilities [Text Box]
13. Storage [Text Box]
14. Electric Vehicle Charging Points [Text Box]
15. Car parking within close proximity [Text Box]
16. Bike storage [Text Box]
17. Dining facilities within close proximity [Text Box]
18. Gym within close proximity [Text Box]
19. Other (please specify) [Text Box]

F2: Currently SLA design and type is based on rank. Do you feel that SLA should follow a standard design for all (i.e. Z Type, single ensuite or a flat), or should there be different designs that Service personnel can opt to pay more for?

Choose one of the following answers:

1. Yes, SLA should be designed to be the same for all
2. No, SLA should have some differences which Service personnel are able to pay more for
3. Unsure

Section: Dining

We are now going to ask you some questions specifically about dining

D1: In your current or most recent SLA, what cooking amenities did you have access to, and what additional cooking amenities would you have wanted access to, if any (assuming access to dining facilities remains)? Tick all that apply

Have access to:

1. Hob
2. Oven
3. Microwave
4. Toaster
5. Kettle/hot water tap
6. Dishwasher
7. Fridge
8. Freezer
9. None of the above
10. Other

Would prefer to have access to:

1. Hob
2. Oven
3. Microwave
4. Toaster
5. Kettle/hot water tap
6. Dishwasher
7. Fridge
8. Freezer
9. None of the above
10. Other

D2: If given the choice would you prefer:

Choose one of the following answers:

1. A full shared kitchen with no/limited access to dining facilities
2. A snack preparation area with access to dining facilities
3. Dining facilities as provided now in associated messes and no snack preparation facilities

D3: Why have you chosen this option?

Check all that apply:

1. Hygiene issues of current shared facilities
2. Want to accommodate for specialist diet
3. Ease of cooking
4. Suits shift pattern
5. Other (Please specify) [Text Box]

D4: If you were to require use of temporary SLA and book it on an ad-hoc/requirement basis, how important would the provision of cooking facilities be to you?

1. Full kitchen
2. Snack preparation area (including fridge and microwave)

Answered using the following options:

1. Very important
2. Fairly important
3. Neither important nor unimportant
4. Fairly unimportant
5. Not at all important

D5: When using SLA do you make use of the dining facilities available to you at your base to purchase and eat your meals?

[Asked only to respondents who answered question S1 with response option A1-A2]

Choose one of the following answers:

1. Yes
2. No
3. Sometimes

D6: Why is this?

Check all that apply:

1. Dietary requirements are not catered for
2. Prefer not to have to book mealtimes in advance
3. Prefer not to wear formal dress when dining
4. Prefer the ease of eating in dining facilities
5. Prefer the cost of eating in dining facilities
6. Prices too high of eating in dining facilities – prefer to cook own meal
7. Opening hours are unsuitable
8. Convenience
9. Choice of food
10. Quality of food
11. Proximity to dining facilities
12. Other (Please specify) [Text Box]

D7: If you had full kitchen facilities when using SLA, would you make use of the dining facilities?

Choose one of the following answers:

1. Yes - often
2. Yes - sometimes
3. No

Section: Closing Questions

C1: Overall, which of the following would you consider to be most important to you regarding SLA?

Choose one of the following answers:

1. Quality
2. Choice
3. Cost
4. Value for money

C2: Please use this box to provide any further comments relating to your experience of SLA or to highlight anything we haven’t discussed in this survey that you’d want to see in SLA in the future

[Text Box]