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

Tenancy Visits

Your tenancy visit is designed to make sure your home is safe and in good condition, and to identify any problems you might be having so we can provide any support you may need. During your visit we will complete the following things:

Household checks

We will confirm your identity and then check who is currently living in your home, making sure we have the right information for everyone. Together, we will carry out a full property inspection, making sure your home is free from signs of damp and mould and is safe for you and your family. You can report a repair at anytime using My Livin.

Report a repair Report a repair

Updating your information

We will update your details, making sure we add any disabilities, health issues, or communication needs you or your family may have. This helps us to adapt our services to suit your needs. We will also check if you need any aids or adaptations to make living in your home easier.

Aids and adaptation Aids and adaptation

Available support

We can discuss any issues you feel are affecting your wellbeing or tenancy, and, where needed, we will provide support, which may be from a range of partners we trust. We will discuss any employability support and money support offers available through our Financial Inclusion Team and on our Livin Futures teams

Your support Your support