Temporary enhancements refer to non-permanent changes you can make to the interior of your SFA that can be removed ahead of moving out.

Additions such as non-drill wall decorations such as wall decals or “peel and stick” wallpaper for creative wall designs or temporary borders. Tiled surface enhancements including removable adhesive wall or floor tiles could also be options for light touch enhancements.

Removable splashback covers for behind sinks or stoves, and command strips or removable hooks for lightweight wall hangings (pictures, clocks, mirrors) are included within this category of light touch enhancements. You may also wish to add non-electrical lighting such as adhesive cabinet lights, wireless wall lamps or sconces, or motion-sensor hallway lights.

If you have a health and safety concern regarding your home, please call the Pinnacle helpdesk on 0800 031 8628 immediately. 

Please be safe when making temporary enhancements to your home, read and follow any manufacturer’s instructions thoroughly and be careful when using ladders and tools. Any enhancements in the bathroom and kitchen should be heat and water resistant for your safety.

Please remember not to use enhancements that cover or obstruct ventilation systems or extractor fans.

We understand that being able to personalise your home is important so have introduced a new Defence Homes Colour Palette and have created some dedicated paint FAQs. Whilst previously all walls had to be returned to magnolia or white before moving out, our new colour palette offers a broader range of colours for families to choose from. Colours within this range are light and neutral and will not require reverting to white.

Families living in Service Family Accommodation (SFA) can paint their walls other colours not included in the new colour palette range, but they will require reverting to white upon move out. Visit the Pinnacle website for further details on moving out of your UK SFA.

At your pre-move out appointment, you will be reminded to remove any temporary enhancements you have made, cleaning any adhesive residue to restore the home to move out standard. Your Housing Officer will also advise if the quality of any permanent enhancements you have made to your home fall below the expected quality or standard and will require rectifying/removal.

If you’ve painted your walls a colour from our Defence Homes Colour Palette range, this can be left on move out. If you’ve painted your walls a colour outside of this range, you will need to revert this to back to white before move out. Visit the Pinnacle website for details on moving out of your UK SFA.

A permanent enhancement is a permanent change to your property (that can’t be removed without a trace) that enhances it and therefore does not need to be removed at move out. Permitted permanent enhancements fall into two categories:  

Green Permanent Enhancements – these can be carried out by military families or a tradesperson without needing to notify Pinnacle. We’ve some top tips for families for making green permanent enhancements to their homes.  

Amber Permanent Enhancements – these require a notification to Pinnacle prior to any work being carried out. All amber permanent enhancement work must be carried out by a qualified tradesperson. 

Find out more by reading our permanent enhancements FAQs or submit a Permanent Enhancement notification via the Pinnacle website.  

Service Families are responsible for the safe installation of all permanent enhancements and should seek guidance from their Housing Officer if required ahead of any works being carried out. 

Your dedicated Housing Officer will always be on hand to provide you with advice about your home, but there are certain work types that are currently not permitted in your military home. These are not permitted due to them posing either a health and safety risks or a risk to the structural integrity of the property. 

Changes not permitted include but are not limited to:  

• Rendering of external walls 

• Laminating or vinyling of floors 

• Tree/hedge removal  

• CCTV  

• Electrically fitted house alarm 

• Shaver lights/sockets 

• New/upgrade of kitchen cupboards 

• Additional radiators  

• Fireplace installation/removal  

• Chimney removal  

• Installation of additional windows 

• Garage addition 

• Installation of internal ceiling fan 

• Solar panels  

• Bathroom upgrades 

Wall mounted pergolas 

We’re here to support you in making your home your own – safely. If you’re unsure about any improvement or have questions, please contact your Housing Officer before making changes.