Applying for Council Accommodation
We want to make it as easy as possible for you to apply for a home. You must be on the housing register to qualify for housing and to do this you need to complete a housing application form. Application forms are available from our Customer Service Outlets in Peterlee and Murton or by calling us on freephone 0800 032 0835. Alternatively you can download the appropriate form using the link below:
- Housing Application Form. Use this version of the housing application form to print from your computer, complete manually and post or deliver to us.
- Online Housing Application Form. If you have Microsoft Word you can save the application form to your computer, and email the completed application to us. Once we receive your emailed housing application we will enter it onto the housing register. We will also post a printed copy of the housing application to you for signature together with a pre-paid return envelope.
Please email your completed application to choicebasedlettings@eastdurhamhomes.co.uk
If you require any assistance with completing your housing application please contact us on our freephone number 0800 0320835.
We will send you a receipt within 3 working days of receiving your application. We will make a decision on whether to accept you on to the housing register and let you know your priority grouping within 10 working days of receiving all relevant information.
What happens when my application has been accepted?
Once you have been accepted onto the housing register you can start using the Durham Key Options Choice Based Lettings system to choose your home.
Click here for more information on Durham Key Options >>>
Click here to go to the Durham Key Options website >>>
Fraud Prevention
We are required under section 6 of the Audit Commission Act 1998 to participate in the National Fraud Initiative (NFI) data matching exercise.
Tenancy data will be provided to the Audit Commission for NFI and will be used for cross-system and cross authority comparison for the prevention and detection of fraud.
We advise applicants that the data held by the authority in respect of your housing application will be used for cross-system and cross authority comparison purposes for the prevention and detection of fraud.
Suspension of your Application
We will write to you if we decide to suspend your application following your refusal of three reasonable offers of accommodation. Leaflets explaining District of Easington's policy on allocations are included with all application forms and with suspension letters
You can request a review of the decision to suspend your application. We will respond to requests for a review of the decision to suspend your application within 14 days. If you are not happy with the decision you will be given a "Customer Complaint form" if you request it
We will send you a review application form each year within a month of the anniversary of your application. If you do not return your review application we will inform you that your application has been removed.
Homelessness
Anyone saying they are homeless or threatened with homelessness will be interviewed by a Housing Options Officer within 1 working day
- Same sex interviews are available if requested
- Temporary accommodation will be provided, if required
- Homelessness applications will be investigated and a decision made within 33 working days
- When a decision has been made, the applicant will be advised of the decision within 3 working days
- You can appeal against any decision
In case of emergency outside our normal working hours please use our freephone number 0800 032 0835