Aids and Adaptations | www.livin.co.uk

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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

Aids and Adaptations

If you, or a family member, are struggling due to a long-term illness, disability or mobility issues we may be able to help.

Read the full Aids and Adaptations or Lift Safety policy or our summarised version below.

Lift Safety Policy Lift Safety Policy Aids and Adaptations Policy Aids and Adaptations Policy

Aids and adaptations to your home

Your home may be able to be adapted to make it easier for you to live independently. An aid or adaptation could be small, such as a grabrail or lever tap, or larger such as a ramp to improve access to your home or a wet room to make it easier for you to shower.

We have an Occupational Therapist who is here to help you access aids and adaptations that improve your quality of life.

Visit our Frequently asked questions section to see some of the most common questions on aids and adaptations. We can also provide an information leaflet to those without internet access.

Request a minor adaptation Request a minor adaptation Frequently asked questions Frequently asked questions

Minor adaptations

These are smaller alterations which can include:

Grab rails, usually near a bath or toilet
Handrails to make stairs and steps safer
Lever taps to make it easier to turn taps on and off
Half steps if a current step is too high

You can apply for these by logging into the MyLivin app and requesting minor adaptations in the repairs section. You can also contact us for more information. If necessary, Our Occupational Therapist will contact you to discuss your request.

Request a minor adaptation Request a minor adaptation

Equipment

Equipment can be provided to help keep you independent, these can include:

A raised toilet seat to help you get on and off the toilet
A shower stool if you are unable to stand to shower
A perching stool to use in the kitchen

Equipment is loaned and an assessment can be requested from your local authority. You may be advised to buy some equipment yourself if they are not available.

Major Adaptations

These are larger, permanent adaptations and can include:

Level access showers if you are unable to use the bath
Ramps to improve access to your home
Stairlifts to move between floors of your home

Major adaptations will only be considered when the difficulties you are having cannot be helped by equipment or minor adaptations.

These are usually funded by a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG), this is a grant for major adaptations organised through your Local Authority. You will need to contact them to request an assessment. There can sometimes be a waiting list for an assessment.

If a major adaptation is recommended, the Local Authority will contact us to request our permission. We have the right to refuse permission.

Durham CC Durham CC Darlington BC Darlington BC Hartlepool BC Hartlepool BC Stockton-On-Tees BC Stockton-On-Tees BC

What if my home cannot be adapted?

If your home cannot be adapted or if it is unreasonable to do so, re-housing may be offered as an alternative solution. We can support you throughout this process to help you find the perfect home to suit your needs.

In hospital?

The hospital is responsible for ensuring you have a safe discharge and if necessary, will arrange for an NHS Occupational Therapist to carry out an assessment. You can arrange this with the ward staff. They will be able to make referrals for equipment, adaptations or further assessments.