27 Feb 2024

Development open day for employees

Spennymoor

Earlier this month, we hosted an open day for our employees to visit our most recently completed development, Elizabeth Gardens, Spennymoor to learn more about the site design and the energy-efficient measures available for our tenants.

Our development team was on hand to demonstrate the features and benefits of the bungalows and give insight into the initial site design and construction process with developers, Oaktree Living.

Elizabeth Gardens comprises 39 two-bedroom bungalows, a mix of affordable rent and rent-to-buy options. Four of the bungalows are also equipped with high-energy efficiency heating systems such as air source heat pumps and solar PV to help save on energy bills.

Antonia Gates, housing adviser for Spennymoor, Tudhoe and Spennymoor Town Centre said: "It was helpful for me to see the energy-efficient heating systems in the bungalows that have air source heat pumps and PV solar panels. This experience has allowed me to share my knowledge with customers when they move into their new homes."

These homes have now been allocated and we look forward to welcoming new residents onto the development. Rent-to-buy homes are still available.

Find out more about rent to buy options.

Pictured left to right: Clare Johnson (Development Manager), Mark Percival (Planned Works Manager), Andrew Lonsdale (Senior Quantity Surveyor), Gary Mountford (Commercial Analyst)

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.