Riverside Local Letting Policies

Local Letting Policy 1

PROPERTIES COVERED BY POLICY

  • A mix of 2, 3 and 4 beds houses and 2 bed apartments at Shotley Bridge; totalling 20 new build properties altogether.

CRITERIA

Durham County Council has 100% nomination rights on the first allocation of the development. All 20 properties will be allocated through Durham Key Options. It has been agreed that Riverside will endeavour to allocate 100% of the properties available to rent to applicants who fulfil a local connection to the area, for first allocation and any subsequent lets through Durham Key Options.

  • Riverside will first offer the property to an eligible occupier within the sub-area of the parishes of Blackhill, Benfieldside, Consett North and Ebchester.
  • If there are no suitable applicants within the sub-district then eligible applicants within the district of Derwentside will be shortlisted next in turn.
  • After this, all suitable applicants within County Durham will be considered.

EFFECTIVE DATE

  • February 2013

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Local Letting Policy 2

PROPERTIES COVERED BY POLICY

  • A mix of 2 and 3 bed houses and 2 bed bungalows in Stanhope; 10 x bungalows, 13 x houses totalling 23 new build properties altogether.

CRITERIA

Durham County Council has 100% nomination rights on the first allocation of the development. All 23 properties will be allocated through Durham Key Options. Handover of the first property from the developer to Riverside will be in October 2014. It has been agreed that Riverside will endeavour to allocate 100% of the properties available to rent to applicants who fulfil a local connection to the Stanhope parish, for first allocation and any subsequent lets through Durham Key Options.

  • Riverside will first offer the property to an eligible applicant within the Stanhope parish that meets the local connection criteria
  • Then to applicants from the adjoining parishes, meeting the local connection criteria
  • If there are no suitable applicants then eligible applicants within the district of Wear Valley (with local connection) will be shortlisted next in turn
  • After this, all suitable applicants within County Durham will be considered

The following criteria is in place to meet 'local connection'- in line with the section 106 planning 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.

All applicants wishing to be shortlisted for the bungalows must need this property type. This aspect is not covered by the section 106 planning agreement, 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

  • September 2014

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