Durham Key Options - Local Lettings Policies

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Local Lettings Policies

In some cases a partner landlord may introduce a Local Lettings Policy to ensure good management of stock. For example:-

Areas where housing is in short supply
To ensure balanced communities and prevent anti-social behaviour
To take into account rural or city centre related issues with regard to demand and affordability

In cases where a local lettings policy exists this will be noted on the advert. Details of areas covered by local lettings policies can be found below.

REVIEW

These policies are reviewed to ensure that they are still appropriate on an annual basis, every April (unless otherwise stated).

Accent Foundation

Accent Foundation do not currently operate a local lettings policy on any of their housing stock.

Cestria Community Housing

PROPERTIES COVERED BY POLICY

All Cestria Community Housing properties

BACKGROUND

As part of the transfer agreement signed by the then Chester Le Street District Council it was agreed that Cestria would award a priority for housing to those applicants who can prove a local connection to the geographical area covered by Cestria Community Housing.

CRITERIA

All Cestria Community Housing properties will be allocated to those with a local connection to the geographical area covered by Cestria Community Housing who successfully bid for a property under the Durham Key Options scheme.

Cestria will advertise to the advertised priority bands first. Within those bands they will allocate to an applicant with a local connection before an applicant without. If there are no bids received from applicants in the advertised band or there are no applicants remaining on the shortlists in the advertised bands Cestria will allocate to applicants in the next band as per the allocations policy. If this scenario occurs Cestria will again allocate to applicants with a local connection first then to applicants without.

Examples:

Cestria advertise a property in Bands A & B. There is no applicant in Band A so Cestria will look at Band B. Within Band B there are two applicants, one has a local connection and the other hasn't. Cestria will allocate to the applicant with a local connection.
Cestria advertise a property in Bands A & B. There are no applicants in either bands so Cestria will allocate to applicants in Band C. Within Band C there are two applicants, one with a local connection and one without. Cestria will allocate to the applicant with a local connection.
Cestria advertise a property in Bands A & C. There are no applicants in these bands. In line with the allocation policy Cestria would go to any applicants in Group B and allocate to any applicant in Band B with a local connection.

The definition of local connection is the same as laid out in the Durham Key Options Allocation Policy.

EFFECTIVE DATE

This policy will be effective from October 2010 and will be in place as long as Cestria Community Housing are a partner of Durham Key Options.

Dale and Valley Homes

Dale and Valley Homes do not currently operate a local lettings policy on any of their housing stock.

Derwentside Homes

PROPERTIES COVERED BY POLICY

Lynwood House Development: 20 two bedroom apartments, for over 55s- some wheelchair adapted.

CRITERIA

To take into account rural or city centre related issues with regard to demand and affordability which would include a local connection.
The planning regulations for the redevelopment of Lynwood House included a covenant that the development would meet the needs of older persons from the local community.

For the purpose of allocations to meet the local area, the village boundaries of Lanchester, County Durham will be the initial catchment area

Thereafter, if no applicants with a local connection to Lanchester have bid, priority will be awarded to applicants currently resident in the former Derwentside District Council boundary area. If no further bids are received, the area will be widened to the County Durham boundary area.

If the Local Lettings Policy requires local connection the following criteria is in place:-

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

And/or

In continuous full or part time work* in the area for at least 12 months prior to the date of application

And/or

Part time work means a minimum of 2 full days per week.

EFFECTIVE DATE

December 2013

Durham City Homes

Local Lettings Policy 1

PROPERTIES COVERED BY POLICY

9no New build properties comprising of 4no 3 bedroom houses and 5no 2 bedroom houses, situated on Colliery Road, Bearpark

CRITERIA

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

and/or

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

Applicants will be shortlisted(within the band) with preference given to local connection and thereafter the date of application. Where there are no bids received from applicants who fulfil the local connection criteria with Band A or the advertised preference band, applicants (with local connection) within the next eligible band will be considered and so on. Where there are no bids received from applicants with a local connection the property will be allocated in line with the shortlisting criteria specified in the Durham Key Options Lettings Policy.

EFFECTIVE DATE

This policy will be effective from August 2010

Local Lettings Policy 2

PROPERTIES COVERED BY POLICY

5no New Build properties comprising of 3 bedroom houses only, situated on Robson Crescent, Bowburn.

CRITERIA

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

and/or

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

Applicants will be shortlisted(within the band) with preference given to local connection and thereafter the date of application. Where there are no bids received from applicants who fulfil the local connection criteria with Band A or the advertised preference band, applicants (with local connection) within the next eligible band will be considered and so on. Where there are no bidsreceived from applicants with a local connection the property will be allocated in line with the shortlisting criteria specified in the Durham Key Options Lettings Policy.

EFFECTIVE DATE

This policy will be effective from August 2010

Local Lettings Policy 3

PROPERTIES COVERED BY POLICY

8no New Build properties, comprising of 2no 2 bedroom houses and 6no 3bedroom houses, situated in Wayside, Croxdale.

CRITERIA

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

and/or

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

Applicants will be shortlisted(within the band) with preference given to local connection and thereafter the date of application. Where there are no bids received from applicants who fulfil the local connection criteria with Band A or the advertised preference band, applicants (with local connection) within the next eligible band will be considered and so on. Where there are no bidsreceived from applicants with a local connection the property will be allocated in line with the shortlisting criteria specified in the Durham Key Options Lettings Policy.

EFFECTIVE DATE

This policy will be effective from August 2010

Local Lettings Policy 4

PROPERTIES COVERED BY POLICY

6no New Build properties, comprising of 2no 2 bedroom houses and 4no 3 bedroom houses, situated on Coalfield Lane, High Pittington.

CRITERIA

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

and/or

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

Applicants will be shortlisted(within the band) with preference given to local connection and thereafter the date of application. Where there are no bids received from applicants who fulfil the local connection criteria with Band A or the advertised preference band, applicants (with local connection) within the next eligible band will be considered and so on. Where there are no bidsreceived from applicants with a local connection the property will be allocated in line with the shortlisting criteria specified in the Durham Key Options Lettings Policy.

EFFECTIVE DATE

This policy will be effective from August 2010

East Durham Homes

Local Lettings Policy 1

PROPERTIES COVERED BY POLICY

Peterlee – 2 bed houses (except for properties in the letting areas Acre Rigg 1b and Chapel Hill 2)

CRITERIA

Single applicants within the Peterlee area (exceptions as outlined above) will not be considered for a two bedroom house. Such applicants will only be considered for bedsits, one bed flats, two bed flats and two bed maisonettes.

EFFECTIVE DATE

This policy will be effective from April 2009 and will be in place as long as East Durham Homes are a partner of Durham Key Options.

Local Lettings Policy 2

PROPERTIES COVERED BY POLICY

All 2 bedroom bungalows within East Durham Homes' stock

CRITERIA

Single applicants will not be considered for a 2 bedroom bungalow, except in circumstances where they are a permanent wheelchair user or have an established over night carer, and a 1 bedroom bungalow would be unsuitable.

EFFECTIVE DATE

This policy will be effective from April 2009 and will be in place as long as East Durham Homes are a partner of Durham Key Options.

livin

Local Lettings Policy 1

PROPERTIES COVERED BY POLICY

Properties within the following area will be allocated via this Local Lettings Policy:-

Morpeth Close, Ferryhill (flats only)
Faulkner Road, Newton Aycliffe (2 blocks of flats)
Middlestone Moor (flats only)
Mount Pleasant Close, Tudhoe/Tudhoe Grange (flats only)
Lilac, Spruce, Almond Laurel, Aspen Courts, Shildon (flats only)

CRITERIA

Properties within the specified areas will be let in line with the following criteria:-

Preference will be given to applicants over the age of 25 years
Applicants under the age of 25 will only be considered for a flat in the area if they have agreed to tenancy support from a recognised agency for a minimum period of 6 months
Applicants under 25 years of age must also sign a Good Neighbour Agreement

SUPPORT

Tenancy support (i.e. Stonham, Disc etc) for a recommended 6 month period for successful applicants under the age of 25 years (this period can be extended or reduced upon the recommendation of the support worker).

EFFECTIVE DATE

April 2009

AMENDED:

March 2013 - Addition of Heath Road Flats, Middlestone Moor and Mount Pleasant Close, Tudhoe Grange
June 2013 - York Hill, Spennymoor removed from this LLP- added to new livin LLP 3 below
July 2013 - Heath Road flats amended to all flats in Middlestone Moor

Local Lettings Policy 2

PROPERTIES COVERED BY POLICY

47 New build properties at the following sites:-

Baliol Road, Newton Aycliffe development: 8 x 2 bed houses
Neile Road, Newton Aycliffe development: 3 x 2 bed bungalows
Clarence Corner, Newton Aycliffe development: 6 x 2 bed houses
Pease Way, Newton Aycliffe development: 6 x 2 bed houses
Thirlmere Road, Ferryhill: 5 x 2 bed houses & 4 x 3 bed houses
Sycamore Road (since renamed Diamond Close) Fishburn development: 6 x 3 bed houses, 7 x 2 bed houses & 2 x 2 bed bungalows

CRITERIA

Applicants must have a local connection to the areas stated below:

Newton Aycliffe developments

Newton Aycliffe
Aycliffe Village
Middridge

Ferryhill development

Ferryhill
Chilton
West Cornforth

Fishburn development

Fishburn
Sedgefield
Trimdon Village
Trimdon Station
Trimdon Colliery
Bishop Middleham

An applicant or member of the applicants’ household (and who is to be re-housed 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

and/or

In continuous full or part time work* in the area for at least 12 months prior to the date of application

and/or

*Part time work means a minimum of 16 hours per week

If no applicants with a local connection to the areas specified have bid, priority will be awarded to applicants currently resident in the livin boundary area.

EFFECTIVE DATE

April 2012

Local Lettings Policy 3

PROPERTIES COVERED BY POLICY

Properties within the following area will be allocated via this Local Lettings Policy:

York Hill, (York Hill Crescent, Tweed Road, St Davids Close), Spennymoor (all property types)

CRITERIA

1) Properties within the specified areas will be let in line with the following criteria:-

Police checks will be undertaken for all new tenants in the York Hill Estate area
A home visit (where appropriate) will be undertaken with the incoming tenant prior to a formal offer being made (new tenants only)
Any applicant with an indication/history/evidence of previous ASB will not be considered for Yorkhill**
For flats first preference will be given to applicants over the age of 25 years
All new tenants must sign a Community Charter
All tenants must attend a tenancy induction session before the commencement of any tenancy

** Decisions will be based by the Home Choice Team upon advice provided by the Support and Intervention Team

2) Preference will be given to applicants who have a local connection to the local area as follows:

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

And/or

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)

*For the purpose of this policy local area will be defined as the Spennymoor Area.

Thereafter if no applicants with a local connection to the areas specified have bid, priority will be awarded to applicants currently resident in the former Sedgefield Borough Council boundary area.

3) Preference will also be given to applicants in that:

A minimum of 40% of properties being allocated in the York Hill area will be allocated to applicants in employment in order to improve the sustainability of the York Hill area. The criteria is defined as follows:

Applicants must have been in paid work for 16 hours or more for at least 6 of the last 12 months.

EFFECTIVE DATE

June 2013 (amended July 2014 to include local connection to Spennymoor and employability- points 2 and 3)

Local Lettings Policy 4

PROPERTIES COVERED BY POLICY

Properties within the following area will be allocated via this Local Lettings Policy:-

86 new build bungalows at the following sites:

Tremeduna Grange 16 x 2 beds
Thurlow Grange, Sedgefield 21 x 2 beds (4 x shared ownership)
Chilton 25 x 2 beds
Grayson Grange, Spennymoor 12 x 2 beds
Cleves Cross grange, Ferryhill 12 x 2 beds

The following criteria will excludes properties developed for Shared or Low Cost Home Ownership and only applies to properties available to let (not those identified as being reserved for applicants affected by a regeneration programme).

CRITERIA

Applicants must have a local connection to the areas stated above. Local connection is defined as:-

An applicant or member of the applicants’ household (and who is to be re-housed 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 the first instance, applicants will require a connection the direct area of new build eg Ferryhill, Chilton etc. If no suitable applicants are found with this connection, applicants with a connection to the former Sedgefield Borough region will be considered. After that, any applicant with a connection to County Durham will be shortlisted by DKO Policy.

SUBSEQUENT LETS

Subsequent lets will not be subject to a local lettings policy but will be in accordance with the overarching Durham Key Options Lettings Policy.

EFFECTIVE DATE

November 2013

Local Lettings Policy 5

PROPERTIES COVERED BY POLICY

livin properties will only be allocated when it is considered that the qualifying applicant is in a position to successfully conduct their tenancy.

livin is therefore introducing a requirement for new applicants (including transferring tenants) who are identified as ‘at risk’ of tenancy failure, to attend a ‘Pre-Tenancy Workshop’ in order to ensure they are able to successfully conduct a tenancy.

Any applicant not identified as being ‘at risk’ of tenancy failure will receive the offer of accommodation in accordance with the Durham Key Options Lettings Policy.

CRITERIA

Any new applicant between the age of 16 and 59 years, who fall into one or more of the following risk groups will be required to attend the pre-tenancy workshop:-

Have a household income of below £15,000 (used in conjunction with another criteria point only)
Have not held a previous successful tenancy (any tenure) within the last 12 months
Have current /former tenant arrears or mortgage arrears
Have a credit reference report that has highlighted (or the applicant has disclosed) they have unmanageable debts
Have highlighted any relevant vulnerabilities on their application form
Have a criminal conviction that may not be directly connected to a tenancy but would still raise concerns regarding the conduct of a tenancy, e.g. theft of motor vehicles
Have a history of anti-social behaviour

SUPPORT MEASURES

livin’s Smart Money Team will invite applicants in the qualifying age group, meeting one or more of the above criteria, to attend a ‘Pre-Tenancy Workshop’.

The workshop will include information/advice in respect of the following:

How to conduct their new tenancy and the requirements of their tenancy agreement
The likely costs of running a livin home and training on budgeting skills
Access to services which will assist the applicant in conducting a successful tenancy such as credit unions, furniture schemes etc.
Digital inclusion
Safety in the home
Employment support
Outline housing options available, how to bid for a home, and the most appropriate properties to bid on

An assessment of an applicant’s capacity to conduct a tenancy will also be undertaken by the Smart Money Team. Offers of accommodation will not be made to any applicant who:

1) Have no means to provide any furniture for the property

2) Have no income i.e. due to welfare benefit sanctions

3) Have themselves confirmed that they would be unable to conduct a tenancy due to needing further support, which is currently unavailable or not in place

4) Have financial commitments which mean that their expenditure exceeds their income

livin’s Smart Money Team will provide a support plan to enable the applicant to prepare for a tenancy and only once the stated issue is resolved, with livin’s assistance, will any formal offer of accommodation be made. Assistance will be given as follows:

1) Have no means to provide any furniture for the property

Access to the Smarterbuys Store; and access to either free or more affordable furniture; help to secure grants, if possible; or source, at least, the basics needed, such as a bed, cooker, chair etc.

2) Have no income i.e. due to welfare benefit sanctions

Whilst housing benefit may still be payable if the applicant has no means to pay household bills, or buy food , livin will carry out a welfare benefits check, support appeals against the sanction and/ or access grants.

3) Tenancy support unavailable- assistance will be given by the Smart Money team to find such support.

4) Have financial commitments which mean that their expenditure exceeds their income

livin will carry out a financial health check, where there are immediate areas for savings. livin would we be able to access grants, carry out a welfare benefits check and/or refer for debt

EFFECTIVE DATE

July 2014

REVIEW DATE

A review will be complete by livin at 3 months (October) and 6 months (January) for assessment by the DKO Board

Teesdale Housing Association

Local Lettings Policy 1

PROPERTIES COVERED BY POLICY

Barnard Castle
Middleton in Teesdale
Stainton Grove & Village
Staindrop
Cotherstone
Romaldkirk
Eggleston
Mickleton
Bowes
Ingleton
Startforth
Gainford

CRITERIA

When an applicant or member of the applicants' household (who is to be re-housed with the applicant) has;

Lived in Teesdale continuously for at least the 2 years prior to the date of application
Been in continuous full or part time work* in Teesdale for at least the last 2 years prior to the date of application
Been assessed under the Common Lettings Policy as having a hardship/welfare need which would be alleviated by re-housing within the Teesdale area
Lived continuously in Teesdale for at least the last 2 years prior to being accepted as homeless but has been placed in temporary accommodation outside of Teesdale

Applicants will be shortlisted with preference given to local connection and thereafter date of application. Where there are no bids received from applicants who fulfil the local connection criteria within Band A or the advertised preference band, applicants (with local connection) within the next eligible band will be considered and so on. Where no applicants with a local connection have bid for a property the shortlisting process will apply in line with the Common Lettings Policy.

*excluding seasonal work

* part time work means a minimum of 16 hours per week

EFFECTIVE DATE

This policy will be effective from April 2009 and will be in place as long as Teesdale Housing are a partner of Durham Key Options.

Local Lettings Policy 2

PROPERTIES COVERED BY POLICY

Feather Stone Rise, Cotherstone

CRITERIA

Priority will be given to a person who:

has immediately prior to allocation been a resident of the Parish of Cotherstone in the former District of Teesdale for at least two years and whose accommodation is unsuitable for his or her circumstances lacking separate accommodation or living in a socially unacceptable standard of accommodation.

Households including persons employed or with a firm offer of full time employment within the Parish
Elderly or disabled people who were born or who have a member of family living within the District.
Dependents or persons living within a related Parish or a parish within the former Teesdale District.

If a dwelling remains unlet for a period of three weeks from it becoming available then the let shall be offered to a person residing in the Parishes of Mickleton, Romaldkirk, Lartington, Hunderthwaite and Egglestone.

If the dwelling remains unlet for a further period of three weeks then it may be let to a person residing in any Parish within the former Teesdale District providing they meet the following criteria:-

The applicant or member of their family already reside in the former Teesdale District.
Households including persons employed or with a firm offer of full time employment within the Parish
Elderly or disabled people who were born or who have a member of family living within the District.
Dependents or persons living within a related Parish or a parish within the District of Teesdale.

If no person/s satisfying the requirements of the above sub-clauses is found in accordance with the provisions and subject to the timescales as set out above bid for the property, the relevant Affordable Housing Unit may be disposed to any person in need of affordable housing.

EFFECTIVE DATE

This policy will be effective from April 2009 and will be in place as long as Teesdale Housing are a partner of Durham Key Options.

Local Lettings Policy 3

PROPERTIES COVERED BY POLICY

2 bedroom bungalows: Watson Court, Barnard Castle

CRITERIA

Properties will only be let to those applicants who are over the age of 60 years- medically assessed applicants will not be accepted for these properties, even if they require the adaptation.

EFFECTIVE DATE

This policy is effective from scheme start (2009) and will be in place as long as Teesdale Housing Association are a partner of Durham Key Options.

Other Registered Provider LLPs

Four Housing

Local Lettings 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

Local Lettings 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

Home

PROPERTIES COVERED BY POLICY

Old Station Close, Fencehouses (11 x 2 bed houses, 7 x 3 beds)

CRITERIA

Applicants with a local connection (as below) to Lumley Electoral Division (which Fencheouses lies in) will first be prioritised above those without, regardless of banding priority (advertising will continue for 4 weeks for local connection applicants)
After these applicants are prioritised, applicants with a connection to County Durham will be considered

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 18 properties will be allocated through Durham Key Options.

EFFECTIVE DATE

October 2014

Housing Hartlepool

Local Lettings Policy 1

PROPERTIES COVERED BY POLICY

Hutton Grove, Haswell (12 x 3 bed houses, 8 x 2 bed houses)

CRITERIA

Prioritisation as per Durham Key Options CBL scheme with additional criteria:

No more than 7 properties to be let to existing social housing tenants transferring within Haswell.

Of the remaining properties, 50% let to tenants in employment (defined as working 16 hours per week or more for at least 6 of last 12 months).

EFFECTIVE DATE

May 2011

Local Lettings Policy 2

PROPERTIES COVERED BY POLICY

Shotton Houses: 4 x Two bedroom, 7 x Three bedroom

CRITERIA

Prioritisation as per Durham Key Options CBL scheme with additional criteria:

50% let to tenants in employment (defined as working 16 hours per week or more for at least 6 of the last 12 months).

EFFECTIVE DATE

July 2013

ISOS Housing

PROPERTIES COVERED BY POLICY

Properties within the following area will be allocated via this Local Lettings Policy:-

12 new two and three bedroom properties at College View, Esh Winning

CRITERIA

Properties within the specified area will be let in line with the following criteria:-

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

And/or

Part time work means a minimum of 2 full days per week.

* This criteria will not apply to a property/area which is subject to a section 106 Planning Agreement

EFFECTIVE DATE

April 2013

Riverside Group

Local Lettings 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

Local Lettings 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 panning 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

Tristar Housing

PROPERTIES COVERED BY POLICY

Initial let of 15 new build houses at Paddock Close, Chilton (10 x 3 bed, 5 x 2 bed)

CRITERIA

Prioritisation as per Durham Key Options CBL scheme with additional criteria:

Minimum of 50% of lettings will be made to tenants in employment, (classed as working 16 hours per week or more, in at least 6 of last 12 months).
Good tenant record/no history of anti-social behaviour also required.

EFFECTIVE DATE

February 2013

Other Registered Providers' Policies

Durham Aged Miners' Homes (DAMHA)

DAMHA amended their allocations policy in 2012, to ensure that only applicants of pensionable age will be granted a tenancy for one of their properties. In line with this, Durham County Council will now only nominate applicants to DAMHA, that are of pensionable age. Applicants under this age, even if they would normally be eligible for certain properties due to a medical assessment, will be skipped on any shortlist accordingly. To view this policy, please click here: DAMHA Policy

Home

Home amended their allocations policy in April 2013. They have matched their property size entitlement for applicants to the DWP housing benefit criteria for bedrooms.. partners. The 8 full Durham Key Options partners do not use the DWP criteria but nominees passed to Home will need to fulfil this criteria. For further info, please click here to see how Home assess applications. You can also read their allocations policy by clicking here: Home Policy

ISOS

ISOS may occasionally 'skip' applicants who have been nominated to them by Durham County Council through the Durham Key Options scheme. They will only do this in line with the Registered Provider's Nomination Agreement and in conjunction with their own allocations policy. To view this policy, please click here: Isos Policy