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.

Your Home

We will provide you with safe, warm and energy efficient homes.

Read the full Recharge policy or our summarised version.

Recharge Policy

A Livin Works operative chatting to a tenant at their door

Report a repair

Our repairs service is available to help you to keep your home in good condition.

Report a repair

One of our money support advisers chatting with a tenant while smiling at a laptop screen

Pay your rent

Pay your rent instantly, or set up a direct debit.

Pay your rent

Aids and adaptations

If you, or a family member, are struggling due to a long-term illness, disability or mobility issues we may be able to help.

Aids and adaptations

Looking after your home

Repairs, alterations, and keeping you and your home safe.

Looking after your home

Ending your tenancy

If the time has come to move on, let us know.

Ending your tenancy

Moving in?

Everything you need to know about moving in and getting settled into your new Livin home.

Next steps

Using land or property without permission

Information about encroachment and how to report it.

Using land or property without permission

Home safety

We have a legal responsibility to carry out regular checks to ensure that your home is safe and efficient.

Home Safety

Service charges

Service charges are payments you make to us for providing and maintaining additional services and benefits to buildings, communal areas and grounds maintenance of green spaces.

Service Charges

Managing your waste

We've outlined who is responsible for your waste and what you need to do it arrange it being removed.

Managing waste

Manage your tenancy online through our secure app

You can log in to the app on our website, or by downloading it from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

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.