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

22 Aug - 2025

A community fun day in Shildon filled with treasure hunts and furry friends

Children enjoy a fun-filled day at Jubilee Community Centre, where families came together for a day of hands-on experiences with friendly animals and fun activities.

Funded by our community grant and Durham County Council’s Fun and Food programme the day was packed with engaging activities, including cuddles with furry friends such as goats, rabbits, and guinea pigs. Over 30 children learned how to care for animals, thanks to Andrea and Helen from mobile farm, Animals About Town. The morning also featured a treasure litter picking hunt, turning tidying up into an exciting adventure as children searched for “treasures” while learning about environmental responsibility.

We were proud to support this event and Jubilee’s wider summer activities programme, helping to bring families together and to support people, places, and partnerships that help our communities thrive.

Jade Kemp, Jubilee Field Community Centre Volunteer, said; "I'm relatively new to the role however i use the centre regularly as my daughter and niece take part it the activities. Days like today make a real difference to families in the area and the partnership with Livin and funding they provide helps us to make sure everyone can be included".

Lyla Dodsworth, Livin tenant, said; "I love coming here with my mam. The animals were my favourite part of the day, i got to stroke the goat and learn about the dogs that work on the farm".

Visit Jubilee Community Centres website for more information >> Jubilee Fields Community Centre - Be Active. Be Social.

Visit Animals About Town website for more information >> Animals About Town - Mobile Farm County Durham - Pony Parties

Pictured: left to right, Julie O'Connor (Community Regeneration Adviser), Lyla Dodsworth, Delilah Fox, Jessie the goat and Jade Kemp (Jubilee Field Community Centre Volunteer).