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Your guide to applying for a home through Durham Key Options [PDF]

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<strong>Your</strong> <strong>guide</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>applying</strong> <strong>for</strong><br />

a <strong>home</strong> <strong>through</strong> <strong>Durham</strong><br />

<strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong><br />

Working <strong>to</strong>gether <strong>to</strong> deliver quality <strong>home</strong>s and a better environment <strong>for</strong> all<br />

1


Our vision<br />

“Working <strong>to</strong>gether <strong>to</strong> deliver quality <strong>home</strong>s<br />

and a better environment <strong>for</strong> all”<br />

To achieve this we will be:<br />

• Providing quality <strong>home</strong>s<br />

• Regenerating estates and communities<br />

• Involving cus<strong>to</strong>mers <strong>to</strong> improve services<br />

• Delivering excellent services <strong>to</strong> all<br />

• Employer of choice and financially stable<br />

2<br />

<strong>Your</strong> <strong>guide</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>applying</strong> <strong>for</strong> a <strong>home</strong> <strong>through</strong> <strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong>


Introduction<br />

This leaflet explains the <strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong><br />

choice-based letting service, which is the way<br />

we let our <strong>home</strong>s.<br />

Homes from other organisations, such as housing associations and<br />

private landlords, are also let <strong>through</strong> the <strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong> letting<br />

service.<br />

We aim <strong>to</strong>:<br />

• ensure we let our <strong>home</strong>s <strong>to</strong> those who need them the most<br />

• offer you choice about where you live<br />

• be easy <strong>to</strong> understand.<br />

If you would like <strong>to</strong> see a full copy of the <strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong> lettings<br />

policy, with full details of this service, visit our website<br />

www.eastdurham<strong>home</strong>s.co.uk or contact us (our details are at the<br />

back).<br />

<strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong> is a partnership between <strong>Durham</strong> County Council<br />

(including Chester-le-Street, <strong>Durham</strong> City and Teesdale areas) and:<br />

• Cestria Community Housing<br />

• Dale and Valley Homes<br />

• Derwentside Homes<br />

• <strong>Durham</strong> City Homes<br />

• East <strong>Durham</strong> Homes<br />

• livin<br />

• Teesdale Housing Association<br />

• Accent Foundation.<br />

3


Providing services fairly<br />

We aim <strong>to</strong> ensure that all our<br />

cus<strong>to</strong>mers can use our services<br />

regardless of age, race, gender,<br />

disability, religion, sexuality,<br />

gender reassignment, pregnancy<br />

and maternity or marriage and civil<br />

partnership.<br />

We will do this by training our staff <strong>to</strong> understand people’s different<br />

needs, and will moni<strong>to</strong>r our services <strong>to</strong> make sure they are provided<br />

fairly <strong>to</strong> everyone.<br />

Our staff will:<br />

• help you fill in <strong>for</strong>ms<br />

• provide an interpretation service if your first language is not English<br />

• give you in<strong>for</strong>mation, on request, in different languages or in<br />

different <strong>for</strong>mats such as large print, Braille, CD or audio tape<br />

• use plain English<br />

• take in<strong>to</strong> account any additional needs you may have<br />

• provide you with support if you need it<br />

• take calls using Typetalk<br />

• where possible, arrange <strong>for</strong> you <strong>to</strong> speak <strong>to</strong>, or be visited by a<br />

member of staff of the same sex as you, if you wish<br />

• provide induction-loop systems<br />

• visit you at <strong>home</strong> if you can’t get <strong>to</strong> our office<br />

• provide you with a sign-language service if you need it.<br />

4 <strong>Your</strong> <strong>guide</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>applying</strong> <strong>for</strong> a <strong>home</strong> <strong>through</strong> <strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong>


About <strong>applying</strong> <strong>for</strong> a <strong>home</strong> <strong>through</strong><br />

<strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong><br />

How does <strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong> letting service work?<br />

1. You need <strong>to</strong> complete an application <strong>for</strong>m. You must do this <strong>to</strong><br />

be able <strong>to</strong> apply <strong>for</strong> a <strong>home</strong>.<br />

2. We will assess your application within 10 working days after you<br />

have given us all the in<strong>for</strong>mation we need.<br />

3. Each week we advertise any available <strong>home</strong>s.<br />

4. If you see a <strong>home</strong> you like, you can apply <strong>for</strong> it. We call this<br />

bidding. We will tell you what type of applicant is suitable <strong>for</strong> the<br />

<strong>home</strong> and which application band will be given preference (see<br />

page 6). We will also tell you when the bidding <strong>for</strong> the advertised<br />

<strong>home</strong> will close.<br />

5. You can bid <strong>for</strong> as many <strong>home</strong>s as you like each week.<br />

6. We will offer the <strong>home</strong> <strong>to</strong> the person in that band who has waited<br />

the longest.<br />

7. If we don’t contact you within one week of the closing date, then<br />

you have been unsuccessful. You can bid <strong>for</strong> another <strong>home</strong> next<br />

time.<br />

8. We publish details of how we let previously advertised <strong>home</strong>s at<br />

our cus<strong>to</strong>mer outlets and on the website<br />

www.durhamkeyoptions.co.uk. For example, this may<br />

include how long the successful applicant had been<br />

waiting and what application group they were in.<br />

5


How do I apply?<br />

1. You will need <strong>to</strong> complete an<br />

application <strong>for</strong>m. You can get<br />

this from our cus<strong>to</strong>mer outlets, by<br />

contacting us, or you can download<br />

an application <strong>for</strong>m from our website.<br />

You can also complete an online<br />

application <strong>for</strong>m on the <strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong><br />

<strong>Options</strong> website www.durhamkeyoptions.co.uk. You can only<br />

apply <strong>for</strong> a <strong>home</strong> if you have completed this <strong>for</strong>m and we have<br />

accepted your application.<br />

2. We will give you an application reference number and a PIN<br />

(personal identification number). These will be your personal<br />

numbers, so please keep them in a safe place. You will need <strong>to</strong><br />

quote these numbers when you log on <strong>to</strong> the website and when<br />

you make a bid <strong>for</strong> a <strong>home</strong>.<br />

3. When you apply you will need <strong>to</strong> provide proof of identity <strong>for</strong> you<br />

and any joint applicant. You must show us one kind of proof <strong>for</strong><br />

each of the items in the left-hand column:<br />

Identity/date of birth<br />

Current address<br />

• Birth certificate, or<br />

• Passport, or<br />

• Driving licence, or<br />

• NHS medical card.<br />

• Utility bill (from within the last six months), or<br />

• Bank statement (from within the last six<br />

months), or<br />

• If you live at <strong>home</strong>, are a lodger or in<br />

residential accommodation, we may accept<br />

a letter from the person running the <strong>home</strong>,<br />

which says you live there.<br />

6 <strong>Your</strong> <strong>guide</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>applying</strong> <strong>for</strong> a <strong>home</strong> <strong>through</strong> <strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong>


Who can apply?<br />

Anyone can apply <strong>to</strong> join <strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong> <strong>for</strong> housing; however,<br />

not everyone will be eligible. We will consider all applications from<br />

people aged 16 years and over.<br />

7


How will you assess my application?<br />

We must give priority <strong>to</strong> people who are in most housing need. We<br />

cannot let our <strong>home</strong>s on a first-come, first-served basis.<br />

We place applicants in<strong>to</strong> one of 6 bands according <strong>to</strong> their needs and<br />

entitlement.<br />

Within bands A, B and C below, we give priority <strong>to</strong> applicants in the<br />

‘+’ category. For example, we give applicants in band A+ priority over<br />

those in band A.<br />

Band Qualifying criteria<br />

Band A+<br />

High priority<br />

need<br />

Band A<br />

High priority<br />

need<br />

Band B+<br />

Multiple<br />

housing<br />

need<br />

Band B<br />

Multiple<br />

housing<br />

need<br />

• Regeneration schemes in County <strong>Durham</strong> (applicants who<br />

are losing their property permanently as a result of demolition/<br />

disposal in a designated regeneration area).<br />

• Urgent medical reasons.<br />

• Supply and demand transfers (tenants who are underoccupying<br />

their property may be placed in Band A <strong>to</strong> help them<br />

move more quickly <strong>to</strong> release their current property).<br />

Urgent medical reasons have priority over supply and demand<br />

transfers.<br />

• Applicants we accept as <strong>home</strong>less under law and who we<br />

have a full duty <strong>to</strong> house under <strong>home</strong>lessness law because of<br />

violence or threat of violence.<br />

Or you must have one of the following needs and at least one need<br />

from the list <strong>for</strong> Band B.<br />

• Applicants who have a high medical need <strong>to</strong> move.<br />

• Applicants overcrowded by at least 2 bedrooms.<br />

Applicants with 2 or more housing needs from the following<br />

groups:<br />

• Applicants we have accepted as <strong>home</strong>less under law and who<br />

we have a full duty <strong>to</strong> house under <strong>home</strong>lessness law.<br />

• Applicants who are in housing that is overcrowded by at least<br />

one bedroom or that is unsanitary, or otherwise unsatisfac<strong>to</strong>ry.<br />

• Applicants who need <strong>to</strong> move because of medical or welfare<br />

reasons in line with the framework <strong>for</strong> medical priority in<br />

appendix 2 of the lettings policy.<br />

• Applicants who need <strong>to</strong> move <strong>to</strong> a particular area <strong>to</strong> avoid<br />

hardship.<br />

8 <strong>Your</strong> <strong>guide</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>applying</strong> <strong>for</strong> a <strong>home</strong> <strong>through</strong> <strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong>


Band C+<br />

Single<br />

housing<br />

need<br />

Band C<br />

Single<br />

housing<br />

need<br />

Band D<br />

General<br />

housing<br />

need<br />

Band E<br />

No housing<br />

need<br />

Band F<br />

Reduced<br />

priority<br />

Applicants in one of the following groups:<br />

• Applicants who need <strong>to</strong> move because of high medical need<br />

(see appendix 2 of the lettings policy).<br />

• Applicants overcrowded by at least 2 bedrooms.<br />

• Applicants we accept as <strong>home</strong>less under law and who we have<br />

a full duty <strong>to</strong> house under <strong>home</strong>lessness law but who do not<br />

have multiple housing needs.<br />

• Applicants living in intensive supported housing whose support<br />

plan states they will be able <strong>to</strong> successfully move in<strong>to</strong> an<br />

independent tenancy.<br />

• People leaving care.<br />

Applicants who are in one of the following groups:<br />

• Applicants who are in housing that is overcrowded by at least<br />

one bedroom or that is unsanitary or otherwise unsatisfac<strong>to</strong>ry.<br />

• Applicants who need <strong>to</strong> move because of medical or welfare<br />

reasons in line with the framework <strong>for</strong> medical priority in<br />

appendix 2 of the lettings policy.<br />

• Applicants who need <strong>to</strong> move <strong>to</strong> a particular area <strong>to</strong> avoid<br />

hardship.<br />

• Applicants who are <strong>home</strong>less but who we do not have a legal<br />

duty <strong>to</strong> house.<br />

Applicants who have a housing need that does not put them in one<br />

of the preference groups mentioned in bands A, B and C:<br />

• Applicants leaving the armed <strong>for</strong>ces who are not <strong>home</strong>less<br />

under law and have served at least 3 years, or who have been<br />

discharged <strong>for</strong> medical reasons.<br />

• Applicants wishing <strong>to</strong> live independently and who have no other<br />

housing need.<br />

• Applicants needing larger accommodation (outside the<br />

overcrowding criteria) and who have no other housing need.<br />

• Relationship breakdown with no other housing need.<br />

• Applicants threatened with <strong>home</strong>lessness within 3 months, <strong>to</strong><br />

prevent actual <strong>home</strong>lessness.<br />

Applicants who are adequately housed and have no<br />

housing need.<br />

Applicants whose housing priority has been<br />

reduced because of rent arrears (not caused by<br />

exceptional hardship) or unacceptable behaviour.<br />

9


Can you refuse my application or<br />

reduce my priority?<br />

Yes. The law does not allow us <strong>to</strong> offer <strong>home</strong>s <strong>to</strong> the following groups<br />

of people:<br />

• Anyone who is subject <strong>to</strong> immigration control<br />

• Anyone who is not regularly and normally resident in the<br />

European common travel area<br />

• EU nationals required <strong>to</strong> leave the UK.<br />

We may also refuse applications from people who have behaved in an<br />

unacceptable way. Unacceptable behaviour may include:<br />

• violence, including domestic violence<br />

• drug-dealing<br />

• racial harassment<br />

• noise nuisance<br />

• intimidation<br />

• rent arrears.<br />

10 <strong>Your</strong> <strong>guide</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>applying</strong> <strong>for</strong> a <strong>home</strong> <strong>through</strong> <strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong>


If you do not accept my application,<br />

can I ask you <strong>to</strong> reconsider?<br />

Yes. If we do not accept your application, we will write <strong>to</strong> tell you<br />

why. You can then ask us <strong>to</strong> review our decision within 21 days, this is<br />

known as submitting an appeal.<br />

We operate a 3 stage appeals process:<br />

Stage 1<br />

<strong>Your</strong> appeal will be considered by a panel of East <strong>Durham</strong> Homes staff<br />

who have not been involved in the original decision <strong>to</strong> not accept your<br />

application. We will let you know their decision within 10 working days.<br />

If you are still unhappy with their decision, you can ask <strong>for</strong> a further<br />

review which is known as Stage 2 of the appeals process. Again you<br />

have 21 days <strong>to</strong> ask us <strong>to</strong> review the decision.<br />

Stage 2<br />

<strong>Your</strong> appeal will be considered by a Senior Officer within East <strong>Durham</strong><br />

Homes. This officer will not have been involved in the original decision<br />

or the Stage 1 appeal.<br />

If you are still not satisfied with the outcome, you can request a 3rd<br />

stage appeal.<br />

Stage 3<br />

<strong>Your</strong> request should be made within 21 days. The 3rd stage appeal<br />

will be heard by <strong>Durham</strong> County Council’s Head of Housing and you<br />

will be advised of the outcome within 8 weeks of the Stage 1 request<br />

<strong>for</strong> a review.<br />

You or your representative can attend the review and you should<br />

request this when submitting your appeal.<br />

Can I ask <strong>for</strong> a review of any other decisions?<br />

Yes, you can ask <strong>for</strong> a review if we:<br />

• Reduce your priority because of unacceptable<br />

behaviour or,<br />

• Move you in<strong>to</strong> a lower priority band<br />

We will always tell you about your right <strong>to</strong> ask <strong>for</strong> a<br />

review.<br />

11


Do I need references?<br />

Yes. If you are or have been a tenant, we will ask your landlord(s) if you<br />

have kept <strong>to</strong> your tenancy conditions by, <strong>for</strong> example, paying your rent<br />

and not behaving in an anti-social way.<br />

You must tell us about all the tenancies you have held and any criminal<br />

convictions. If you don’t, this may slow down your application, and we<br />

may even cancel it.<br />

Once we have received satisfac<strong>to</strong>ry references from your landlord(s),<br />

and all other in<strong>for</strong>mation we have requested, you can start bidding <strong>for</strong><br />

a <strong>home</strong>.<br />

12 <strong>Your</strong> <strong>guide</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>applying</strong> <strong>for</strong> a <strong>home</strong> <strong>through</strong> <strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong>


Where can I find out about <strong>home</strong>s<br />

that are available?<br />

We will advertise all available <strong>home</strong>s each week:<br />

• on the <strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong> website,<br />

www.durhamkeyoptions.co.uk<br />

• at our cus<strong>to</strong>mer outlets<br />

• on digital TV (Sky, Virgin and interactive Freeview).<br />

What if I need help?<br />

If you need help <strong>applying</strong> <strong>through</strong> the <strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong> letting<br />

service or making a bid <strong>for</strong> a <strong>home</strong>, we can help you.<br />

Our staff will:<br />

• help you apply <strong>for</strong> a <strong>home</strong>, including completing <strong>for</strong>ms, at your<br />

<strong>home</strong> if needed<br />

• offer advice and support<br />

• help you understand how the service works<br />

• help you bid <strong>for</strong> a <strong>home</strong><br />

• ask other support agencies <strong>to</strong> help you, if needed<br />

• continue <strong>to</strong> support you until you are re-housed.<br />

13


How will I know which <strong>home</strong>s are<br />

suitable <strong>for</strong> me?<br />

Our adverts will tell you which <strong>home</strong>s you may bid <strong>for</strong>.<br />

The advert may say if there is a minimum age limit or household size.<br />

We will also tell you how many bedrooms there are, how much the<br />

rent is, and other useful in<strong>for</strong>mation, <strong>for</strong> example the likely heating<br />

costs or council tax band.<br />

The following tables give a rough idea of which <strong>home</strong>s you can bid <strong>for</strong>:<br />

Property type Household type<br />

Bedsit • Single person<br />

1-bedroom flat • Single person or couple<br />

1-bedroom flat <strong>for</strong> older people • Age 60+<br />

• Single applicant with a medical condition<br />

(we may reduce the age limit if demand is low)<br />

2-bedroom flat or maisonette • Single person/single person or couple with a<br />

child<br />

2-bedroom flat <strong>for</strong> older people • Couples where one or both are aged 60+<br />

• Couples where one or both has a medical<br />

condition<br />

(we may reduce the age limit if demand is<br />

low)<br />

2-bedroom house<br />

• Couples<br />

• 1 or 2 adults and 1 child<br />

• 1 or 2 adults with 2 children of different sex<br />

under 10<br />

• 1 or 2 adults with 2 children of the same sex<br />

3-bedroom house • 1 or 2 adults with 2 children regardless of<br />

age<br />

• 1 or 2 adults with 3 children<br />

14 <strong>Your</strong> <strong>guide</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>applying</strong> <strong>for</strong> a <strong>home</strong> <strong>through</strong> <strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong><br />

14


How will I know which <strong>home</strong>s are<br />

suitable <strong>for</strong> me?<br />

4-bedroom house • 1 or 2 adults with at least 4 children<br />

1-bedroom bungalow • Age 60+<br />

• Single applicants with a medical<br />

condition where ground-floor<br />

accommodation is needed<br />

(We may reduce the age limit if demand<br />

is low)<br />

2-bedroom bungalow • Wheelchair users<br />

• Couples where one or both have a<br />

medical condition and need groundfloor<br />

accommodation<br />

• Couples where one or both are aged<br />

60+<br />

• Single applicants with a dependant<br />

whose medical condition means they<br />

need ground-floor accommodation<br />

• Single applicants with a live-in carer (<strong>for</strong><br />

a certain number of nights per week)<br />

3-bedroom bungalow • Applicants with a medical<br />

condition who need ground-floor<br />

accommodation and have children of<br />

different sex aged 10 and above<br />

• Applicants who need a carer (<strong>for</strong> a<br />

certain number of nights per week) and<br />

have 1 or more children<br />

Sheltered housing units:<br />

Donnini House - Easing<strong>to</strong>n<br />

Primrose Court - Blackhall<br />

Robinson House - Horden<br />

Jubilee Centre - Seaham<br />

• Applicants with a support need,<br />

subject <strong>to</strong> assessment and the<br />

completion of a support plan<br />

• We will use our discretion if<br />

few people want this<br />

kind of property<br />

15


How do I bid <strong>for</strong> a <strong>home</strong>?<br />

You can bid <strong>for</strong> as many <strong>home</strong>s as you like each week. You only need<br />

<strong>to</strong> make one bid on each <strong>home</strong>.<br />

Don’t worry about the word ‘bid’ - you won’t be parting with any<br />

money. It simply means that you are interested in a particular property<br />

and wish us <strong>to</strong> consider you <strong>for</strong> it.<br />

To find out more, please see our leaflet, ‘<strong>Your</strong> <strong>guide</strong> <strong>to</strong> bidding <strong>for</strong> a<br />

<strong>home</strong> <strong>through</strong> <strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong>’.<br />

You can make bids:<br />

• on our website<br />

• by phone<br />

• at any of our offices<br />

• by text<br />

• by digital TV (Sky, Virgin and interactive Freeview)<br />

• by assisted bidding (only <strong>for</strong> applicants with additional support<br />

needs).<br />

16 <strong>Your</strong> <strong>guide</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>applying</strong> <strong>for</strong> a <strong>home</strong> <strong>through</strong> <strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong>


How do I bid <strong>for</strong> a <strong>home</strong>?<br />

How much time do I have <strong>to</strong> make a bid?<br />

We advertise our <strong>home</strong>s each week. The advert will give a closing<br />

date, and you will need <strong>to</strong> apply be<strong>for</strong>e this date.<br />

What will happen <strong>to</strong> my bid?<br />

Once the deadlines <strong>for</strong> bids have passed, the following will happen:<br />

1. We will sort the bids <strong>for</strong> each <strong>home</strong> in<strong>to</strong> order according <strong>to</strong> the<br />

priority band and earliest date of application.<br />

2. If you make more than one bid in the same week and you are<br />

<strong>to</strong>p of the list <strong>for</strong> more than one property, we will ask you which<br />

property you prefer.<br />

3. Once we have made you an offer, we will not consider your bids<br />

<strong>for</strong> any other <strong>home</strong>s until you have decided whether or not <strong>to</strong><br />

accept that offer.<br />

When will I know if my bid has been successful?<br />

If your bid is successful, we will contact you as soon as possible<br />

after the close of bidding. This is usually within 24 hours. If we don’t<br />

contact you within a week, you have not been successful this time.<br />

Keep bidding on <strong>home</strong>s you like until we contact you with an offer.<br />

What are my chances of success?<br />

As there are many more bidders than <strong>home</strong>s available, you may<br />

have <strong>to</strong> wait some time be<strong>for</strong>e we make you an offer.<br />

You can get an idea of how long you may have <strong>to</strong> wait by<br />

checking the details of the successful bidders, which<br />

we publish on the <strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong> website and<br />

at our cus<strong>to</strong>mer outlets.<br />

17


We’ll also publish in<strong>for</strong>mation on properties we have advertised and<br />

the average number of bids we have received <strong>for</strong> the property type<br />

and area.<br />

We’ll include this in<strong>for</strong>mation in <strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong> application<br />

packs, in our cus<strong>to</strong>mer outlets, on our website, and in the letter we<br />

send you about your band and reference number. We’ll update this<br />

in<strong>for</strong>mation monthly.<br />

This will help you see where most properties are becoming available<br />

and where the highest demand <strong>for</strong> properties is.<br />

Other housing options<br />

We can give you advice and help on other housing options. This<br />

includes in<strong>for</strong>mation on housing associations and private landlords.<br />

We also advertise <strong>home</strong>s on behalf of housing associations and<br />

private landlords.<br />

You can also use the ‘Housing <strong>Options</strong> Wizard’, which can be<br />

accessed via the <strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong> website. It can give you<br />

advice on all the housing options available <strong>to</strong> you, including shared<br />

ownership, private rented and mutual exchanges. The wizard can<br />

also give advice on mortgage rescue, debt assistance and <strong>home</strong>less<br />

advice.<br />

If you would like free and independent advice on your housing rights,<br />

you can contact the Citizens Advice Bureau. They can advise you<br />

on many problems, particularly those affecting private and housing<br />

association tenants and owner-occupiers - including possession<br />

proceedings, repairs, housing benefit, harassment and illegal eviction.<br />

18 <strong>Your</strong> <strong>guide</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>applying</strong> <strong>for</strong> a <strong>home</strong> <strong>through</strong> <strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong>


Local offers - our promise <strong>to</strong> you<br />

We are committed <strong>to</strong> providing you with excellent services.<br />

We will regularly review our local offers (standards of service) and say<br />

how far we have met them. This will help us ensure we continue <strong>to</strong><br />

provide high-quality services.<br />

We will improve our services where we do not meet our standards.<br />

Applying <strong>for</strong> a <strong>home</strong><br />

We will:<br />

• register your application within 2 working days of receiving it<br />

• contact applicants within 5 working days in the way you prefer, if<br />

we need any further in<strong>for</strong>mation<br />

• assess your application within 10 working days, after you have<br />

given us all the in<strong>for</strong>mation we need<br />

• tell you how <strong>to</strong> appeal if you disagree with our decision<br />

• let you know the result of your appeal within 10 working days<br />

• contact you at least once a year <strong>to</strong> check if you still need<br />

a <strong>home</strong><br />

• refer you <strong>to</strong> the council within one working day,<br />

and in emergency cases immediately, if you tell<br />

us you are <strong>home</strong>less.<br />

19


Spending money wisely<br />

You can help us by:<br />

We aim <strong>to</strong> get the most out of the<br />

money we have available <strong>for</strong> our<br />

cus<strong>to</strong>mers.<br />

• providing all the in<strong>for</strong>mation needed when <strong>applying</strong> <strong>for</strong> a<br />

property<br />

• keeping any appointments we make with you<br />

• paying your rent on time<br />

• leaving your <strong>home</strong> in good condition.<br />

20 <strong>Your</strong> <strong>guide</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>applying</strong> <strong>for</strong> a <strong>home</strong> <strong>through</strong> <strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong>


Improving our service<br />

We will always try <strong>to</strong> provide the best<br />

services that we can, so we make<br />

sure we learn from any complaints<br />

and compliments.<br />

If you are not satisfied with our service, please let us know and we<br />

will try <strong>to</strong> sort out your complaint immediately. Our leaflet ‘<strong>Your</strong> <strong>guide</strong><br />

<strong>to</strong> making complaints, compliments or suggestions’ gives you further<br />

details of how <strong>to</strong> complain.<br />

We also welcome your comments and suggestions and regularly ask<br />

<strong>for</strong> your views on our services.<br />

Our Cus<strong>to</strong>mer Service Panel will consider suggestions <strong>to</strong> improve<br />

services <strong>for</strong> cus<strong>to</strong>mers. If we use your suggestion we will give you up<br />

<strong>to</strong> £100. For more in<strong>for</strong>mation please see our leaflet ‘<strong>Your</strong> <strong>guide</strong> <strong>to</strong><br />

making complaints, compliments or suggestions’.<br />

21


For more in<strong>for</strong>mation, please contact<br />

us at:<br />

East <strong>Durham</strong> Homes<br />

2 Meridian Court<br />

Whitehouse Business Park<br />

Peterlee<br />

County <strong>Durham</strong><br />

SR8 2RQ<br />

Freephone: 0800 032 0835<br />

Direct dial: 0191 518 5497<br />

You can use this low-cost, direct-dial number from your mobile phone<br />

<strong>to</strong> avoid premium charges, which your network provider may charge <strong>for</strong><br />

calling freephone numbers.<br />

Text: ‘enquiry’ <strong>to</strong> 07786 207 745<br />

Typetalk: 18001 then the telephone number you require<br />

Fax: 0191 518 5349<br />

Email: enquiry@eastdurham<strong>home</strong>s.co.uk<br />

Website: www.eastdurham<strong>home</strong>s.co.uk<br />

Our contact centre is open from 8am <strong>to</strong> 8pm Monday <strong>to</strong> Friday and<br />

from 8am <strong>to</strong> 12 noon on Saturday.<br />

Please note: <strong>for</strong> emergencies outside normal office hours, you can contact us<br />

on 0800 032 0835.<br />

Our contact centre can deal with most of your enquiries. If you prefer, you<br />

can visit us at one of our cus<strong>to</strong>mer outlets in Peterlee or Seaham, or if<br />

necessary our head office.<br />

Find us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter<br />

22 <strong>Your</strong> <strong>guide</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>applying</strong> <strong>for</strong> a <strong>home</strong> <strong>through</strong> <strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong>


How <strong>to</strong> find us:<br />

Peterlee Cus<strong>to</strong>mer Outlet<br />

29 Yoden Way<br />

Castle Dene Shopping Centre<br />

Peterlee<br />

SR8 1AL<br />

Opening times:<br />

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday – 8.30am <strong>to</strong> 5pm<br />

Wednesday – 10am <strong>to</strong> 5pm<br />

Friday – 8.30am <strong>to</strong> 4.30pm<br />

Saturday – 9am <strong>to</strong> 12 noon<br />

Seaham Cus<strong>to</strong>mer Outlet<br />

St John’s Square<br />

Sophia Street<br />

Seaham<br />

SR7 7JE<br />

Opening times:<br />

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday – 8.30am <strong>to</strong> 5pm<br />

Wednesday – 10am <strong>to</strong> 5pm<br />

Friday – 8.30am <strong>to</strong> 4.30pm<br />

Head Office<br />

2 Meridian Court<br />

Whitehouse Business Park<br />

Peterlee<br />

SR8 2RQ<br />

Opening times:<br />

Monday <strong>to</strong> Thursday – 8.30am <strong>to</strong> 5pm<br />

Friday – 8.30am <strong>to</strong> 4.30pm<br />

Seaham<br />

Tempest<br />

Road<br />

Castlereagh Road<br />

B1287<br />

N Railway Street<br />

Church<br />

Sophia Seaham<br />

Street Contact<br />

Centre<br />

Railway<br />

Byron Place<br />

Shopping Centre<br />

A182<br />

Remember - we can also arrange <strong>to</strong> visit you at <strong>home</strong> if you can’t get<br />

<strong>to</strong> one of our offices.<br />

Foundry<br />

Road<br />

23


All our publications can be provided in large print, audio<br />

tape or CD, electronically via email or in Braille. We can also<br />

provide an induction loop, BSL interpreter, same-gender<br />

interview or <strong>home</strong> visits if required. Please contact us on<br />

0800 032 0835.<br />

This leaflet contains in<strong>for</strong>mation about <strong>applying</strong> <strong>for</strong> a <strong>home</strong> <strong>through</strong> <strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong>. If you would like us <strong>to</strong><br />

provide this in<strong>for</strong>mation in your first language, or you would like us <strong>to</strong> provide a transla<strong>to</strong>r and meet with you <strong>to</strong><br />

discuss its contents, please contact us on 0800 032 0835. We can also provide same gender interviews and<br />

<strong>home</strong> visits when required.<br />

Arabic اذإ<br />

. <strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong> ﺰﻧﻮﺸﺑوُأ<br />

ﻲآ مﺎهرود<br />

ﻖﻳﺮﻃ ﻦﻋ لﺰﻨﻣ ﻰﻠﻋ لﻮﺼﺤﻠﻟ ﺐﻠﻄﺑ مﺪﻘﺘﻟا لﻮﺣ تﺎﻣﻮﻠﻌﻣ ﻰﻠﻋ ةﺮﺸﻨﻟا ﻩﺬه يﻮﺘﺤﺗ<br />

ﺎﻨﺑ لﺎﺼﺗﻻا ﻰﺟﺮﻳ ،ةﺮﺸﻨﻟا ﻩﺬه تﺎﻳﻮﺘﺤﻣ<br />

ﺔﺸﻗﺎﻨﻣ ﻞﺟأ ﻦﻣ ﻚﻠﺑﺎﻘﻧو ًﺎﻤﺟﺮﺘﻣ ﺮﻓﻮﻧ نأ تدرأ وأ ،ﻰﻟوﻷا<br />

ﻚﺘﻐﻠﺑ تﺎﻣﻮﻠﻌﻤﻟا ﻩﺬه ﻚﻟ مﺪﻘﻧ نأ تدرأ<br />

. ﺮﻣﻷا ﺐﻠﻄﺘﻳ ﺎﻣﺪﻨﻋ ﺔﻴﻟﺰﻨﻣ تارﺎﻳزو عﻮﻨﻟا ﺲﻔﻧ ﻦﻣ تﻼﺑﺎﻘﻣ ﺪﻌﻧ نأ ًﺎﻀﻳأ ﺎﻨﻨﻜﻤﻳ ﺎﻤآ . 0800 032 0835 ﻢﻗر ﻒﺗﺎﻬﻟا ﻰﻠﻋ<br />

Bengali<br />

HC f¤¢Ù¹L¡¢V−a X¡lqÉ¡j L£ AfneÚp Hl j¡dÉ−j HL¢V h¡¢sl SeÉ B−hce Ll¡l hÉ¡f¡−l abÉ¡hm£ l−u−Rz Bf¢e k¢c Q¡e −k, Bjl¡<br />

HC abÉ¡hm£−L Bfe¡l i¡o¡u fËc¡e L¢l h¡ Bjl¡ HLSe Ae¤h¡c−Ll hÉhÙÛ¡ fËc¡e L¢l J Bfe¡l p¡−b Hl ¢houp§Q£ ¢e−u B−m¡Qe¡l<br />

SeÉ p¡r¡v L¢l, a¡q−m Ae¤NËq L−l Bj¡−cl p¡−b 0800 032 0835 eð−l −k¡N¡−k¡N Ll¦ez HR¡s¡J fË−u¡Se q−m, Bjl¡ pj¢m−‰l<br />

hÉ¢š² à¡l¡ p¡r¡vL¡l J h¡¢s−a p¡r¡−al hÉhÙÛ¡ Ll−a f¡¢lz<br />

Chinese 本宣传册介绍如何通过达拉谟关键选房机构 (<strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong>) 申请住房。如果您希望我们用<br />

您的母语为您介绍这些信息,或者希望我们为您提供一名译员与您讨论本宣传册的内容,请拨打<br />

电话0800 032 0835联系我们。如果需要,我们还可以安排与您相同性别的工作人员与您面谈和上<br />

门拜访。<br />

French Ce dépliant contient des in<strong>for</strong>mations pour l’aménagement d’une maison avec les options de<br />

<strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong>. Si vous souhaitez obtenir ces in<strong>for</strong>mations dans votre langue maternelle, si vous<br />

souhaitez un traducteur ou nous rencontrer pour discuter du contenu de ce dépliant, merci de nous<br />

contacter au 0800 032 0835. Nous pouvons également fournir le même genre d’interviews et de<br />

visite lorsque c’est nécessaire.<br />

Hindi<br />

bl i=d esa Mjge Áeq[k fodYiksa (<strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong>) ds ek/¸ke ls Äj ds fy, vkosnu djus ds ckjs esa tkudkjh 'kkfey gSA<br />

vxj vki pkgrs gaS fd ge ;g tkudkjh vkidh ÁFke Hkk"kk esa Ánku djsa] ;k vki pkgrs gaS fd ge ,d vuqoknd Ánku djsa v©j bldh<br />

lkeXkzh ij ppkZ djus ds fy, vkils feysa] r® —i;k gels 0800 032 0835 ij laidZ djsaA t+:jr g®us ij ge leku fyax lk{kkRdkj<br />

v©j Äj ij foft+V Hkh Ánku dj ldrs gaSA<br />

Polish Niniejsza ulotka zawiera in<strong>for</strong>macje na temat składania wniosku mieszkaniowego poprzez program<br />

<strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong>. Jeśli chcieliby Państwo, abyśmy zapewnili in<strong>for</strong>macje w Państwa języku<br />

ojczystym lub pomoc tłumacza, z którym mogliby Państwo się spotkać, aby porozmawiać o treści<br />

ulotki, prosimy o kontakt pod numerem 0800 032 0835. Możemy również zapewnić Państwu<br />

rozmówcę tej samej płci lub wizyty domowe, jeśli <strong>to</strong> konieczne.<br />

Punjabi uBn uEYsdM~ um°M Ujp¤g Ev A¬ao`Oq (<strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong>) jspw uEn~ Kj msnY~ AjPv ]~X dsj~ OsXEsjv p¤* O~ Yxnw Mspx}]~ p¨ uE uBp OsXEsjv Anw YxpsUv aupkv esos um°M a®]s`<br />

EjsBvB~, Ot O~ Yxnw Mspx}]~ p¨ uE Anw Yxps`y} uB°E A`xms]E a®]s` EjsBvB~ O¨ Yxps`y} ugk~ AY~ uBn uEYsdM~ umMkv OsXEsjv dsj~ YxpsU~ `sk umMsj mSt]js Ej~ Yt uEjas EjE~ 0800<br />

032 0835 ‘Y~ nsU~ `sk n}ajE Ej¨* O]ª k¨[ am~ Anw axjot ]vAt axjot `sk AY~ A¬jYt ]vAt A¬jYt `sk uB}SjumCyAt AY~~ Kj um°M gxksEsYt mv a®]s` Ejs nE]~ pt*<br />

Urdu ﻢﮨ ہﮐ ﮟﻴﮨ ﮯﺘﮨﺎﭼ پﺁ ﺮﮔا ۔ﮟﻴﮨ جرد تﺎﻣﻮﻠﻌﻣ ﻖﻠﻌﺘﻣ ﮯﺳ ﮯﻨﻳد ﺖﺳاﻮﺧرد ﮯﺌﻟ ﮯﮐ ﺮﻬﮔ ﮯﺳ ﻂﺳﻮﺗ ﮯﮐ ﺰﻨﺸﭘﺁ ﯽﮐ مﺎﮨرد ﮟﻴﻣ ہﭽﻗرو سا<br />

ﯽﺴﮐ ﮯﺌﻟ ﮯﮐ ﮯﻧﺮﮐ ﺖﻴﭼ تﺎﺑ ﺮﭘ تﺎﻳﻮﺘﺤﻣ ﮯﮐ سا ﮯﺳ پﺁ ہﮐ ﮟﻴﮨ ﮯﺘﮨﺎﭼ ﺎﻳ ،ﮟﻴﺋاﺮﮐ ﺎﻴﮩﻣ ﮟﻴﻣ نﺎﺑز ﯼردﺎﻣ ﯽﮐ پﺁ ﻮﮐ پﺁ تﺎﻣﻮﻠﻌﻣ ہﻳ<br />

داﺮﻓا ﮯﮐ ﺲﻨﺟ ﮯﮐ ﯽﮨ پﺁ ﮯﺌﻟ ﮯﮐ ﺖﻴﭼ تﺎﺑ ﻢﮨ ۔ﮟﻳﺮﮐ ہﻄﺑار ﺮﭘ 0800 032 0835 ﮯﺳ ﻢﮨ مﺮﮐ ﮦاﺮﺑ ،ﻮﺗ ﮟﻳﺮﮐ ﺖﺴﺑوﺪﻨﺑ ﺎﮐ نﺎﻤﺟﺮﺗ<br />

۔ﮟﻴﮨ ﮯﺘﮑﺳﺮﮐ<br />

ﯽﻬﺑ ﮦرود ﺎﮐ ﺮﻬﮔ ﮯﮐ پﺁ ﻮﺗ ﯼﮍﭘ تروﺮﺿ ﺮﮔا ﺰﻴﻧ ﮟﻴﮨ ﮯﺘﮑﺳﺮﮐ ﻢﮨاﺮﻓ<br />

Turkish Bu broşür <strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong> araclğ ile bir ev başvurusunda bulunmak hakknda bilgiler<br />

içermektedir. Bu bilgileri size ana dilinizde sağlamamz, veya içeriğini görüşmek üzere bir<br />

tercüman ayarlamamz isterseniz lütfen bizi 0800 032 0835 no’lu telefondan araynz. Ayrca<br />

gerektiğinde ayn cinsiyetten görüşmeler ve ev ziyaretleri de düzenleyebilmekteyiz.<br />

<strong>Your</strong> <strong>guide</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>applying</strong> <strong>for</strong> a <strong>home</strong> <strong>through</strong> <strong>Durham</strong> <strong>Key</strong> <strong>Options</strong><br />

November 2012

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