During the stages leading up to the establishment of NATO Joint Warfare Centre (JWC), a 100% housing policy was adopted by the MOD for the UK military community. This resulted in the present system of housing all UK military personnel and their families in local hirings, irrespective of marital category. ‘Built to let’ in 1997, these hirings were specifically designed to comply with Tri-Service Accommodation Regulations (TSARs). They are ‘let’ by the Crown on a renewable 10-year lease with the Defence Estates (Rheindahlen) acting as co-signatory on behalf of the Crown.
Split between 2 separate sites within the Stavanger Kommune, ‘The Officers Patch’ is situated on an island called Hundvåg, 3 miles to the north-east of Stavanger city centre, connected to the peninsula by 3 bridges, and 8 miles from the JWC. Other Ranks houses are at Gausel, a 20-minute walk from the JWC and adjacent to the British International School of Stavanger. The ‘Gausel Patch’ is conveniently situated between Stavanger and Sandnes and within 5 minutes drive of some reasonably sized shopping centres. The properties are well above the standard you would be likely to receive in the UK.
Each hiring is well insulated and heated by thermostatically controlled electric radiators in each room. As with all Norwegian properties, each house has been fitted with a wood-burning stove. This is a compulsory requirement, intended to provide an alternate source of warmth should the power fail. The stoves are easy to run and provide a very efficient method of heating the house. There is also under-floor heating in all of the bathrooms. The interior decor of the houses is predominantly “Off-White” walls with pine trim. All have laminate flooring downstairs and a light grey/blue carpet on the first floor. The curtains vary in colour and you are advised to obtain details from your sponsor.
With the extension of the Furniture Movement Service (FMS) in 2005 to cover Northern Europe, all SFA are now furnished IAW TSAR’s and marital category. There is no Single Living Accommodation available and all Single and Married Unaccompanied personnel are housed in misappropriated SFA IAW TSARs and subject to the rules and requirements that this entails. The Estates Manager is CO UKJSU Stavanger’s appointed representative for all housing matters including March-in and March-out Boards. ALL occupants are subject to March-out on posting/internal moves of accommodation and single personnel are expected to meet the same exacting standards required of married accompanied personnel. Pre-march out inspections, by the Estates Manager or his representative, are compulsory and are arranged to assist occupants with their preparations. Most, if not all, kitchens have plumbing and space for a dishwasher, which can be put in with little difficulty. Please be aware that, due to the lack of storage facilities, there will be no wharfing of furniture from the SFA should tenants opt for the fully furnished option.
