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

Skills Foundation

Are you out of work or looking to gain new skills? Our Skills Foundations can provide you with the skills to put you on a new career path. We are currently offering the following courses:

HGV courses available

We can support you in undertaking a fully funded category C HGV license which includes the following:

Classroom training
Complete LGV medical
Provisional license application
Theory tests
Practical reverse training and reverse test
Practical driving training and driving test

You will get access to employability support helping you gain valuable qualifications and providing support to get you job-ready.

To be eligible for the programme you must be aged 19+, live in County Durham and be on a low income or unemployed.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please get in touch.

Request work and training support Request work and training support

First aid awareness

Have you got the skills and knowledge to give basic first aid?

Join a free awareness session delivered by the Community Engagement team at St John Ambulance.

You'll gain the confidence to recognise and respond to day to day emergency situations, supporting your family and friends should they need it. If you are interested please get in touch as our Livin Futures Advisors would love to help.

Request work and training support Request work and training support

Support in the community

Would you like to give something back to your community whilst gaining new skills and qualifications?

We can help you find fantastic opportunities volunteering in the community, where you will be gaining vital work-related experience helping charities, community venues and local businesses.

We can also help you with accessing qualifications such as; Mental Health Awareness, Customer Services, Team Leading, Information, Advice & Guidance and Equality & Diversity.

If you would like further information please get in touch with our friendly Livin Futures Advisors to start making a real difference.

Request work and training support Request work and training support View opportunities View opportunities

County Durham Care Academy

Are you looking to reskill into the rewarding world of care?

The County Durham Care Academy is recruiting three exciting roles and has developed a programme of remote training and development to access opportunities as they arise.

Care workers
Kitchen assistants
Domestic assistants

Our friendly Livin Futures Advisors can help you achieve your goals by providing you with advice and one-to-one support as you embark on your journey with the Durham Care Academy. If any of these exciting opportunities interest you, please get in touch.

Online courses available.

Request work and training support Request work and training support