Applying for a home
Want to apply for a home but not sure what the next steps are? Find out some helpful information and links below:
You will need to complete a housing application. Depending on which area you would like to live in, you can do this online using the following links:
- Durham - Durham Key Options
- Darlington - Darlington Borough Council Housing Services
- Hartlepool - Hartlepool Home Search
- Stockton - Tees Valley Partnership
If you need help completing an application or request a paper version of the form, please call us on 0800 587 4538.
Once your application has been reviewed, we'll contact you to let you know if we need further information.
We process applications within County Durham, while Hartlepool and Stockton local authorities handle applications for their respective areas.
Your housing application will be evaluated based on your housing needs and assigned to a specific ‘band’ (typically 1-4) determined by your current circumstances. Its important to let us know your current circumstances to make sure we place you in the right band so you can apply for a home that suits your needs.
Once your application has been approved, you can start bidding on homes you are interested in.
When we use the word "bid," we mean showing interest in a home. When you place a bid, you tell us that you're interested in this home.
You can find all of our available homes here or by regularly checking your account:
- Durham - Durham Key Options
- Darlington - Darlington Borough Council Housing Services
- Hartlepool - Hartlepool Home Search
- Stockton - Tees Valley Partnership
To place a bid, you need to log in to your account with your application provider.
Some homes can be in high demand, meaning they receive a high number of bids.
All bidders are considered after the advertising period for a home ends (usually seven days). A shortlist is automatically generated based on priority and application date. The home is then offered to the applicant with the highest priority and the longest waiting time.
We check the shortlisted applicants to make sure the home is suitable for their needs. This means we can't give an exact timescale from the end of the home advert to the official offer.
If your bid is successful, your new housing adviser will contact you and offer you a viewing. We only contact successful applicants; however, you can check your status at any time by logging into your account.
If we offer you a home, we'll arrange a viewing with you.
We recommend you download the My Livin app to receive notifications, such as appointment dates and times for viewings.
Alternatively, your housing adviser will email or call you to arrange a viewing.
If you are happy with your viewing and decide the home is right for you, we’ll ask you to sign your tenancy agreement and complete some additional paperwork once your home is ready to move into.
We'll ask you to sign your tenancy agreement. If you have provided us with an email address, you can do this through our digital sign-up process, which means you can sign any paperwork electronically. Alternatively, we can arrange for paper copies to be sent to you.
We will confirm arrangements with you to connect any services (for example, to arrange a gas check before moving in) and provide you with the keys to your new home. Any other necessary documents can be emailed or posted to you.
All of your tenancy documents will soon be available by accessing the 'My Documents' section within your My Livin account.