Durham County Council has changed the Council Tax Reduction Scheme. From 1 April 2026, all working‑age residents will need to contribute towards their Council Tax.

We want to make sure you have the right advice and support. If you’re unsure how these changes might affect you, or what to do next, please contact Durham County Council on 03000 262 0000.

Keeping you cool in your home

It looks like it's going to be a warm few days as temperatures are reported to rise well above average by the middle of next week. We have some handy tips to keep you and your home cool.

Top ways to stay cool in hot weather

Close your curtains and/or blinds mainly in rooms that face the sun to keep your indoor spaces cooler.

If you have a fan, place a bowl of iced water in front for icey air.

Hot water bottles are perfect for cold nights, but they can be great in summer too. Fill your water bottle with cold water and then put it in the freezer. You’ll have your homemade ice pack ready for when you need it most.

Like light bulbs, your electrical appliances radiate heat which won’t help when you’re trying to sleep in this weather. Unplug your phone, turn off lights and devices to reduce the amount of heat in your room.

Beat the heat

The UK Health Security Agency has published a 'keep cool at home checklist' outlining the risks of heat and actions you can take to protect yourself and others.

Visit GOV.UK

Advice for older adults staying safe in hot weather

Age UK have published advice for older adults on how to reduce the chances of heat-related illnesses, including what symptoms to look out for.

Visit AgeUK

Water safety - staying hydrated

Water safety tips from Durham County Council

Water safety

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.