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

04 Mar - 2025

Shildon Memory Cafe celebrates eighth anniversary

The Memory Cafe based at Rowan Avenue Community Lounge is celebrating over eight years of supporting those living with dementia in Shildon.

Originally founded by The Alzheimer's Society, The AAP and charity groups, The Memory Cafe provides a welcoming space for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. Each month they offer a range of activities including rock and roll bingo, flower arranging and reminiscing quizzes, as well as refreshments and the opportunity to connect with others facing similar challenges.

We joined organiser Adele Todd, who has been running the initiative alongside a dedicated group of volunteers, for their March get together.

Adele Todd, Memory Cafe Organiser, said: "Its been a pleasure hosting the memory cafe with the volunteers. As a former nurse, I find these sessions very beneficial to the 12-15 people who attend monthly. It's a safe space and a lovely social environment. We welcome anyone to pop along"

Julie O'Connor, Community Regeneration Adviser, said; "We are proud to be able to support the group through funding and use of a comfortable lounge space. This initiative is part of a broader offering for our tenants and the residents in the community and includes the option to refer to social prescribers and gain support from Durham Carers."

We offer support to families where a diagnosis of dementia can present challenges, with services such as home support checks, aids and adaptations and support for rehousing. For dementia support outside of County Durham, we also provide contact information for local dementia support agencies in Hartlepool, Darlington, and Stockton. For more information, please visit our Dementia Support page.

If you would like to join the Memory Cafe, they meet every first Tuesday of the month at the Rowan Avenue Community Lounge in Shildon.

Pictured left to right, top row: Adele Todd (Memory Cafe Organiser) and Julie O'Connor (Community Regeneration Adviser) bottom row: Yvonne and Dave Slack (Shildon residents and Memory Cafe attendees)

Dementia Support