05 Feb 2026

First homes in decarbonisation partnership near completion on Ferryhill bungalows

The first homes to benefit from part funding through Tees Valley Combined Authority's Wave 3 of the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund, provided by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), are now nearing completion.

Bungalows on Derwent Road, Ferryhill are the first in this funding phase to have new solar photovoltaic (PV) panels fitted bringing lasting benefits to the tenants who live there. Installed by our delivery partners Zenith, the panels are designed to last around 30 years and, once fully up and running, are expected to help tenants reduce their annual energy bills by over £200, offering peace of mind for years to come.

These upgrades support our commitment to improving home quality and energy performance. Our latest Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs) show customers rate us highly on the things that matter most — including 89% for repairs, 89% for well‑maintained homes and 89% for repair times — reinforcing the importance of continuing to invest in warm, efficient homes.

John, Livin tenant, said; "I’ve lived in this bungalow for 13 years, and I’ve never known work to be carried out as smoothly as this. I still can’t believe it’s only taken three months from start to finish. My new roof went on in November, and today I’m standing proudly outside a home I really care about. The solar panels are a brilliant addition. Julie, my partner and I have been together 30 years, and we’ve always loved living here — we’re surrounded by lovely neighbours, and it just feels like everything has been done to make our home even better."

Paul Fullard, Asset Sustainability Manager, said: “It’s fantastic to see the difference these improvements are making. Our aim is always to deliver high‑quality, energy‑efficient upgrades that help people feel more comfortable in their homes. Seeing customers like John proud of the results is exactly why we do this, it shows the impact of investing in sustainable homes and the positive change it brings to our communities.”

Lee Bramley, Head of Operations, said; "We are really proud to be partnering with Livin to deliver energy efficiency improvements for their customers through Wave 3 of the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund. The solar PV installations at Derwent Road will make a real difference to customers' energy bills, and we look forward to delivering quality decarbonisation works to more homes over the next two years together."

Pictured: John Brierley (Zenith, Site Manager), Lee Bramley (Zenith Head of Operations), John Taylor (Livin Tenant), Paul Proud (Asset Manager) and Paul Fullard (Asset Sustainability Manager)

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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.