Building and Acquiring Sustainable Homes

Vision: Additional high quality, sustainable homes, which meet the needs of customers, in balanced communities

We strive to meet the growing demand for housing by delivering new, high-quality homes that create sustainable and balanced communities.

By partnering with others, we aim to build living environments that are both vibrant, inclusive and meet local demand.

We are committed to enhancing the thermal comfort and energy efficiency of new homes through innovative solutions and active customer engagement.

Objective 19: Deliver new high-quality homes to meet demand, creating sustainable and balanced communities in partnership with others

To do this, we will:

Actively engage with stakeholders to ensure the delivery of new sustainable homes
Collaborate with key strategic partners to seek land and funding opportunities
Develop proposals to deliver physical regeneration within the Western estate ensuring readiness for funding opportunities
Enhance quality control processes to improve customer satisfaction with new homes

Objective 20: Enhance the thermal comfort and energy efficiency of new homes to increase their sustainability through innovation and customer engagement

To do this, we will:

Deliver new homes to enhance thermal performance, reduce energy use and ensure compliance with new regulations
Develop awareness of low-carbon technologies to help tenants and stakeholders to understand and optimise their use

Objective 21: Provide new, high quality homes which meet diverse needs to improve choice for older and vulnerable people

To do this, we will:

Expand the range of house types matched to customer needs in balanced communities
Collaborate with customers and local agencies to inform the design of homes, tailored to the specific needs of vulnerable customers

Find out more about Plan A in the sections below

Background

Consistently Delivering Excellent Customer Experience and Digital Services

Excellent services that are consistent, reliable, innovative and influenced by customers

Contributing to a Sustainable Future

Environmentally sustainable communities for generations to come with customers thriving in low-energy homes

Supporting Balanced and Sustainable Communities

Sustainable and thriving communities that meet residents’ needs and nurture a sense of pride and belonging

Supporting Sustainable Tenancies

Empowered tenants living in comfortable and manageable homes in sustainable communities

Providing Quality Sustainable Homes

Tenants living in warm, safe, high quality, and sustainable homes in which they are proud to live

Building and Acquiring Sustainable Homes

Additional high quality, sustainable homes, which meet the needs of customers, in balanced communities

Maintaining Strong Finances

Financially strong and resilient, investing in the future of social housing for our customers and their communities

Maximising the Talent and Contribution of our People

A professional, engaged and empowered workforce, working together to deliver excellent services

Plan A Priorities

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.