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

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a single payment for people who are looking for work or on a low income.

It replaces six other benefits including Housing Benefit, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support and Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit. If your circumstances change or you need to make a new claim for benefits, please contact our financial inclusion team who are ready to provide specialist support and advice.

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is paid monthly directly into your bank account. The payment includes support towards your rent. We recommend planning a monthly budget which you can do using our Benefit and Budgeting Calculator. The easiest way to manage your rent is to set up a direct debit so that your payment is made automatically each month. If you are struggling to pay you may be able to have your housing costs paid directly to us. Get in touch with us to get advice from our money support team.

Request help from our money support team Request help from our money support team

Moving to Universal Credit

The Department for Work and Pensions have announced the timetable for those claiming legacy benefits to move to Universal Credit from April 2024. Legacy benefits include Employment Support Allowance, Jobseekers Allowance and Income Support. If you claim a legacy benefit, you will likely transition to Universal Credit in 2024.

Here are some helpful dates:
Income Support (April to June 2024)
Employment Support Allowance (July to September 2024)
Child Tax Credit (July to September 2024)
Jobseekers Allowance (Sept - December 2024)

If you claim one of these benefits you will receive a migration notice telling you to make a new claim for Universal Credit within 3 months of the date the notice was sent.

We can support you with any questions you have or alternatively you can seek further guidance by contacting Citizen's Advice.

Request money support Request money support Citizens Advice Citizens Advice

Budgeting support

Use MoneyHelper's 'budget planner' tool to help you know exactly where your money is being spent, and how much you’ve got coming in.

MoneyHelper budget planner MoneyHelper budget planner

Set up a Direct Debit

Switch to a Direct Debit to give you that peace of mind so you can forget about having to make regular payments. Those of you who pay by monthly direct debit are less likely to owe rent.

Set up a Direct Debit Set up a Direct Debit

Work and training support with Livin Futures

We go above and beyond to help our tenants to get into work. There are many ways we can help you as a Livin tenant, from free training opportunities to matching you with local job vacancies and improving your job hunting skills.

Work and training support Work and training support

Apply for Universal Credit

If you claim Universal Credit and have had a change in circumstances, or need to make a new claim, please visit the government's Universal Credit website.

In some situations an immediate claim for Universal Credit may not be the best answer; you may be better off if you claim alternative benefits or delay your claim until you have received any pay you are entitled to from previous jobs. For this reason, we would always suggest that you get advice from someone before making a claim.

If you're a tenant, our friendly financial inclusion team can support you through the process, simply get in touch.

Get in touch Get in touch Apply for Universal Credit Apply for Universal Credit