Frequently asked questions

How do I apply for a Livin home or bungalow?

We advertise all of our available homes on our Find A Home page, simply visit this page for more information.

Before you can place a bid on one of our homes, you must first have an active account with the relevant Choice Based Lettings Scheme. Almost all our homes are located in County Durham and therefore are allocated through the Durham Key Options scheme. Durham Key Options (DKO) is a partnership between Durham County Council and landlords across County Durham.

We have a small number of homes which are located outside Durham, these are all advertised through Tees Valley HomeFinder, Hartlepool HomeSearch and Darlington HomeSearch; They are similar to Durham Key Options but we do not process applications registered for these schemes. If you wish to register an application for homes advertised in this area, please apply directly.

Once your application is approved, you will then be able to bid on homes that meet your needs. You can access the application form directly by visiting the relevant Choice Based Lettings system.

How long will it take for my application to be processed?

We aim to start processing your application within 10 working days. If we require any further information after this point, we will contact you to ask for this. Once we have received all the required information we will notify you of our decision within 20 days, and if accepted we will activate your account. You can also check your application status online by logging into the DKO portal.

How can I get involved with Livin and help to shape services?

To find out more about the different ways you can get involved, please visit our getting involved section.

Can I apply to buy my home under Right to Buy?

Tenants who have been with Livin since before the transfer from Sedgefield Council in 2009 may have the “Preserved Right to Buy” their property. Full details of the scheme are available on the Government Right to Buy website. If you are thinking of applying, please contact us.

Can I apply to buy my home under Right to Acquire?

If you have been a tenant for 3 or more years you may have the right to buy your property under the Right to Acquire scheme. Full details of the scheme are available on the Government Right to Acquire website. If you are thinking of applying, please contact us.

More FAQ's

Rent Account - FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check my rent balance?

You can check your account balance and most recent transactions by logging into the tenant app. You will also receive a rent statement quarterly via the tenant app or in some circumstances by post.

What rent payment methods are available?

You can make a payment, set up a direct debit and check your rent account by logging into the tenant app. Alternatively, rent payments can also be made on our website or by calling our automated payment line on 01388 814704.

I have a benefit query, can you help?

Yes, our specialist Welfare Benefits team will be able to help you with your benefit query, please contact us for further advice and assistance.

I'm struggling to pay my rent, can I get help?

Yes, we offer a wide range of advice and support to help you pay your rent. We can also make referrals to other agencies who can provide more specialist support, please contact us to arrange this.

How do I set up a direct debit?

You can set up a Direct Debit by using our online form. The optional payment dates on the direct debit form are the 6th or 20th, or weekly on a Friday. Should you require alternative dates, please contact us to arrange this.

What can I do if I don’t think I can afford the my rent payments?

We can help you with money support and offer benefits advice. Details of the support we offer is available on our Money Support page.

Why are there 53 weeks in the 2024/25 Financial year?

The standard rent calendar has 52 weeks, which is equivalent to 364 days. However, since a year has 365 days, and 2024 is also a leap year with 366 days it is necessary to add a 53rd week to the end of the rent calendar.

The 2024/25 rent calendar year will run from 1 April 2024 to 6 April 2025.

Something else? Something else?