Targeted Letting Policy – New Build – DKO

• All new build properties built or purchased by believe housing (or previously, County Durham Housing Group). For first lets and all subsequent lets for the first five years.

All new build properties built or purchased by believe housing (or previously, County Durham Housing Group). For first lets and all subsequent lets for the first five years.

Prioritisation will be in accordance with the Durham Key Options scheme with the following additional criteria – we will:

• Carry out a home visit (where appropriate) with the proposed tenant prior to a formal offer being made
• Not consider any applicant with any records of ASB in the last six years, or any open cases of ASB being investigated at the point of offer or if the applicant(s) hold any relevant unspent convictions (as set out in the Durham Key Options Letting Policy).
• Expect that applicants will have a clear rent account, including other charges such as recharges or FTA, for 12 months leading up to the formal offer being made (the Lettings Manager, believe housing, will have final determination of any exceptional cases)
• That there is a minimum of two applicants (two adults or one adult and one child) for two-bed houses (excluding flats and bungalows).
• Local connection to the following areas (in order):
  • The ward in which the development is located, or an adjoining ward/parish
  • County Durham

Local connection is defined as:

• Currently, resident in the local area or; has left the local 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 local area and/or
• Currently resident outside of the local area who supports or requires support from someone who has been resident in the local area for at least two years and/or
• In continuous full or part-time work in the local area for at least 12 months prior to the date of application.

July 2026

This will be reviewed in 12 months, or until the implementation of the new DKO Lettings policy, expected to be 1 March 2027.