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

Anti-social behaviour – Legal powers

Q: Anti-social behaviour civil injunction

What it does: Individuals (aged 10 and over) conducting anti-social behaviour can be issued with an anti-social behaviour injunction which prohibits them from certain activities. Who can take this action? Police Local Authority Registered Providers NHS Protect Transport agencies The Environment Agency Sanction for breaching the action: Imprisonment of up to 2 years.

Q: Criminal behaviour order (CBO)

What it does: Individuals who have a criminal conviction can have a CBO attached to their sentence if they have behaved antisocially. CBO's place restrictions on activities and are designed to address specific behaviours. Who can take this action? Criminal courts (must be requested by the CPS when prosecuting an offender) Sanction for breaching the action: Imprisonment of up to 5 years.

Q: Community protection notices

What it does: Adults or businesses responsible for environmental issues which have diminished the ‘quality of life of those in the locality’ can be required to remedy the problem. Who can take this action? Police Local Authorities Sanction for breaching the action: Criminal offence punishable by Fixed Penalty Notice.

Q: Public space protection orders

What it does: Specific activities can be prohibited in a designated area. Who can take this action? Local Authorities (in consultation with the police) Sanction for breaching the action: Criminal offence punishable by Fixed Penalty Notice.

Q: Dispersal powers

What it does: Individuals (aged 10 and over) conducting anti-social behaviour in a public space can be required to leave that specified area for up to 48 hours. Their property can be confiscated if it is being used to conduct anti-social behaviour. Who can take this action? Police Sanction for breaching the action: Imprisonment of up to 3 months.

Q: Closure powers

What it does: Access to a building associated with anti-social behaviour can be restricted for up to 24 hours (for those other than the residents). Courts can extend this for up to 6 months and can apply it to the residents. Who can take this action? Police Local Authorities Sanction for breaching the action: Imprisonment of up to 6 months.

Parts 1 to 4 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 provide six powers for use by local agencies, summarised below. These options provide a broad enforcement regime with local partners.

All powers listed are reserved as interventions for serious anti-social behaviour that has caused or may cause significant harm. We work in close partnership with Durham Police, Durham County Council, and other local authorities to ensure the effective delivery and use of these powers. Of the six powers, We are permitted to issue anti-social behaviour injunctions only, the remaining powers are all within the remit of policing and local government.

Durham County Council | ASB Durham County Council | ASB

Durham and Darlington Police Durham and Darlington Police

Hartlepool Borough Council | ASB Hartlepool Borough Council | ASB

Cleveland Police Cleveland Police

Darlington Borough Council | ASB Darlington Borough Council | ASB

Durham and Darlington Police Durham and Darlington Police

The six powers

Anti-social behaviour civil injunction

What it does:

Individuals (aged 10 and over) conducting anti-social behaviour can be issued with an anti-social behaviour injunction which prohibits them from certain activities.

Who can take this action?

Police

Local Authority

Registered Providers

NHS Protect

Transport agencies

The Environment Agency

Sanction for breaching the action:

Imprisonment of up to 2 years.

Criminal behaviour order (CBO)

What it does:

Individuals who have a criminal conviction can have a CBO attached to their sentence if they have behaved antisocially. CBO's place restrictions on activities and are designed to address specific behaviours.

Who can take this action?

Criminal courts (must be requested by the CPS when prosecuting an offender)

Sanction for breaching the action:

Imprisonment of up to 5 years.

Community protection notices

What it does:

Adults or businesses responsible for environmental issues which have diminished the ‘quality of life of those in the locality’ can be required to remedy the problem.

Who can take this action?

Police

Local Authorities

Sanction for breaching the action:

Criminal offence punishable by Fixed Penalty Notice.

Public space protection orders

What it does:

Specific activities can be prohibited in a designated area.

Who can take this action?

Local Authorities (in consultation with the police)

Sanction for breaching the action:

Criminal offence punishable by Fixed Penalty Notice.

Dispersal powers

What it does:

Individuals (aged 10 and over) conducting anti-social behaviour in a public space can be required to leave that specified area for up to 48 hours. Their property can be confiscated if it is being used to conduct anti-social behaviour.

Who can take this action?

Police

Sanction for breaching the action:

Imprisonment of up to 3 months.

Closure powers

What it does:

Access to a building associated with anti-social behaviour can be restricted for up to 24 hours (for those other than the residents). Courts can extend this for up to 6 months and can apply it to the residents.

Who can take this action?

Police

Local Authorities

Sanction for breaching the action:

Imprisonment of up to 6 months.

Anti-social behaviour Anti-social behaviour