Durham Key Options

Durham Constabulary have informed of a new stop loan sharks app to make it quicker and easier for people to report loan sharks and access support services. For more information go to https://www.stoploansharks.co.uk

Possession proceedings to commence again in England and Wales from 21 September 2020, however in most cases landlords wishing to evict tenants will be required to give six months' notice. 

• Notices served before 3 August will have to be reactivated;
• Notices served on or before 28 August require a notice period of three months.
• Notices served from 29 August require a notice period of six months.

This rule will be in place for social and private landlords until at least March 2021, except in cases involving:

• antisocial behaviour; 
• domestic abuse;
• where a tenant owes more than six months' rent
• obtaining the tenancy by fraud (false statement);
• death of the tenant (housing association landlords only)
• no right to rent due to immigration status (housing association landlords only).

No evictions will take place in areas affected by local lockdowns, or during the Christmas period except in the most serious circumstances.

Guides and further information can be found here

Thousands of vulnerable people who were housed during the pandemic will be helped to stay in accommodation this year thanks to the allocations of funding announced  (17 September 2020) by Housing Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick.

274 local councils will share £91.5 million of government funding to ensure interim accommodation and support for the most vulnerable people. An additional £13.5 million fund will be used to enable local authorities to tackle new or emerging challenges.

Bids have also been submitted for £161 million support to help secure 3,300 longer-term homes.

A mix of family houses and bungalows are set to be built on the site of the long-demolished Easington working men’s club in Seaside Lane. For more information please view believe housing website page.

In partnership, Karbon homes and believe housing are bringing together experts to help tackle some of the challenges that face people living with dementia, loneliness or mobility constraints. Leading thinkers in smart technology and affordable housing will be brought together for the work as part of Northumbrian Water’s Innovation Festival.

A four-day ‘sprint’ took place from September 14-17, addressing the question ‘How can SMART technology in homes support people to live well and independently.