Durham Key Options

We are changing the way we advertise our properties on Durham Key Options.

We will now advertise properties from midnight on the same day we become aware they are (or will be) vacant. So if we have a vacant property on a Monday, we will advertise it from midnight that day for 6 days (so you will still have time to bid) and we will then contact successful applicants the following Monday (on the 7th day). This means we can quicken the time it takes to offer you homes that we know are available.

Our first new cycle will begin at midnight on Tuesday 4th April. See below table for our new cycles, starting 5 times a week:

To guarantee you see all properties available each week you will need to:

1. Visit our website on a weekend (as all cycles will be running at that time)

OR

   2. Visit our website twice a week during the week (weekdays)

If you have any queries, please contact your local housing partner here.

Did you know that you could move home more quickly by registering for ‘HomeSwap’?

HomeSwap is a mutual exchange scheme available through Durham Key Options, which enables two or more tenants (with our 7 housing partners- Cestria, Dale and Valley Homes, Derwentside Homes, Durham City Homes, East Durham Homes, livin and North Star Housin) to switch homes.

By swapping tenancies with another household, you may be able to move more quickly – and this includes to homes outside of County Durham.

Available homes for exchange are advertised online here (tick 'Mutual Exchange' when searching).

For further information please go to our DKO HomeSwap page.

From 1 April 2019, the way Housing Benefit [or the housing element of Universal Credit] is calculated will be changing.

What does it mean for me?

If you have signed a new or renewed tenancy from 1 April 2016 [1 April 2017 for supported accommodation tenancies] onwards, the amount of Housing Benefit [or the Housing element of Universal Credit] that you may receive from 1 April 2019 could be restricted.

This is because if you rent from a local authority, a registered housing association or other registered social landlord the amount of Housing Benefit [or the housing element of Universal Credit] you will receive will be capped to the relevant Local Housing Allowance rate for your household size that currently applies to private sector tenants. The Local Housing Allowance rates for your area can be found at http://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/Search.aspx

If you are under 35 years old and do not have any dependent children living with you, your eligible rent will be capped to a shared accommodation rate even if you do not share your home with anyone else.

Will I also have to pay for any spare rooms?

If you are of working age and have one or more extra bedrooms, your rent and any service charges used in the assessment of your Housing Benefit [or the housing element of Universal Credit] is already capped.

If the difference between your rent and the relevant Local Housing Allowance rate for your household is higher than the reduction for under-occupied bedrooms, only the cap will apply. Similarly, if the reduction for under-occupied bedrooms is higher than the relevant Local Housing Allowance rate for your household, only the reduction for under-occupied bedrooms will apply.

If you are of pension age, you will not receive a reduction in the rent used to assess your Housing Benefit for any under-occupied bedrooms but your rent will be capped to the relevant Local Housing Allowance rate for your household.

Please note – in all cases, you will only receive one reduction.

What do I need to do now?

If you sign a new tenancy or renew a tenancy after 1 April 2016 [1 April 2017 for supported accommodation] you will need to think about whether the rent you pay in the social sector is higher than that allowed for private rented sector tenants.

In particular, if you are in receipt of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit on or after 1 April 2019, you will need to consider how your will afford any shortfall in your rent. The website links above will help you to determine whether your rent is above the Local Housing Allowance rates for your area.

If you are unsure if this applies to you, please contact Durham County Council or your local landlord.