Bernicia Local Letting Policies

Local Letting Policy 1

PROPERTIES COVERED BY POLICY

Jubilee Terrace, Mickleton

CRITERIA

Applicants with a local connection (as below) to Mickleton will first be prioritised above those without, regardless of banding priority.
After these applicants are prioritised, applicants with a local connection to the former district of Teesdale will then be prioritised above those with no such connection.
All other applicants will then be considered.

When an applicant or member of the applicant’s household (who is to be rehoused with the applicant is:

Currently resident in the area or; has left the area within the last 6 months and has lived for a continuous period of 12 months prior to either their date of application; or the date that they left the area.

And/or

Currently resident outside of the area who supports or requires support from someone who has been resident in the area for at least 2 years.
In continuous full or part time work in the area for at least 12 months prior to the date of application. Part time work means a minimum of 2 full days per week.

EFFECTIVE DATE

Scheme start - 2009

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Local Letting Policy 2

PROPERTIES COVERED BY POLICY

Birkett Close, Cotherstone (8 x 2 bed bungalows, 2 x 2 bed houses, 2 x 3 bed houses)

CRITERIA

Applicants with a local connection (as below) to Cotherstone Parish will first be prioritised above those without, regardless of banding priority
After these applicants are prioritised, applicants with a connection to the adjoining parishes will be considered
After these applicants are prioritised, applicants with a local connection to the former district of Teesdale will then be prioritised above those with no such connection.
All other applicants will then be considered from County Durham

The following criteria is in place- in line with the section 106 agreement: -

When an applicant or member of the applicant’s household (who is to be rehoused with the applicant) is:

Currently resident in the area for a minimum of 3 years

And/ or

Has had a period of 3 years permanent residence within the last 5 years

And/or

Has an essential need to live close to another person who has permanent residence in the area. This essential need applies to applicants who currently reside outside of the area who support or require support from someone who has been resident in the area for at least 3 years

And/or

Currently employed within the area. This is defined in line with DKO policy as in continuous full or part time work in the area for at least 12 months prior to the date of application. Part time work means a minimum of 2 full days per week.

Durham County Council has 100% nomination rights on the first allocation of the development. All 12 properties will be allocated through Durham Key Options.

All applicants wishing to be shortlisted for the bungalows must need this property type. This aspect is not covered by the s106, so will be in line with DKO Policy ie only applicants 60+ years old or with a medical need requiring a bungalow, will be shortlisted for bungalows. The criteria above i) to iv) will then still apply.

EFFECTIVE DATE

October 2014

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Local Letting Policy 3

PROPERTIES COVERED BY POLICY

Bedburn Road, Hamsterley

CRITERIA

Applicants with a local connection (as below) to the parish of Hamsterley or South Bedburn will first be prioritised above those without, regardless of banding priority.
After these applicants are prioritised, applicants with a local connection to the adjoining parishes of Woodland and Lynesack and Softley will be prioritised above those without.
After these applicants are prioritised, applicants with a local connection to the former district of Teesdale will then be prioritised above those with no such connection.
All other applicants will then be considered.

When an applicant or member of the applicant’s household (who is to be rehoused with the applicant) is:

Currently resident in the area and has lived in the relevant area continuously for the previous two years;

And/or

An elderly or disabled person currently resident outside of the area, who requires support from a family member who has been resident in the area for at least 2 years.
In continuous full-time (part-time not considered in this section 106 agreement) work or can provide evidence of a contract offer of permanent employment for that area.

EFFECTIVE DATE

1994

Local Lettings Policy 4

PROPERTIES COVERED BY POLICY

The Green, High Shincliffe

CRITERIA

Applications will be considered in the following order where they meet the local connection priority categories mentioned below:

Applicants with a local connection to the Parish of Shincliffe
All other applicants will then be considered.

Applicants will then be prioritised in the following order:

Residents of the Parish of Shincliffe whose present accommodation is unsuitable due to the condition, or size of the property, the age or health of the applicant and the applicant's inability to obtain accommodation suitable to their needs within the local community.*
Applicant's who need to give or receive support to or from a close relative who already resides within the Parish of Shincliffe.**
A former resident of the area wishing to return to the area; those demonstrating a housing need to be given greater priority***
A person who works within the Parish of Shincliffe and is seeking accommodation to be closer to work.****
Resident within the parish however are classed as adequately housed.

*Evidence will be required to show the move is necessary to alleviate one of the housing need categories mentioned. Generally, those applicants assessed into Band 2 or higher on Durham Key Options will already have sufficient proof.

**Band 2 on Durham Key Options must have been awarded.

***Proof will be required by the way of address history and checks carried out by Bernicia.

****Band 2 on Durham Key Options must have been awarded.

Where are there are no suitable applicants who meet the local connection criteria, allocation will then take place to those in general need as per the Durham Key Options policy.

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