Our local authority client based in East London are urgently seeking an experienced Housing Officer.
*£25.06 an hour umbrella*
MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB
- To assume responsibility for a portfolio of temporary accommodation and its occupants; to ensure providers/ contractors adhere to terms and conditions of the contract and that all accommodation meets Health and Safety standards and Council requirements
- To ensure that licensees in temporary accommodation abide by the conditions of licence paying particular attention to rental payments, ensuring tenant-like conduct and occupation, taking enforcement action in accordance with procedures and referring complex cases to other specialist Teams as directed.
- To ensure occupants of temporary accommodation receive appropriate advice on their housing options and support in their efforts to obtain permanent accommodation, referring vulnerable applicants for appropriate support so they can successfully sustain their accommodation.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- To be the first point of contact for own client portfolio in providing a full housing management service to homeless households living temporary accommodation, ensuring regular contact and information from first booking, accompanied viewings and sign-ups, to assistance and support with move on from accommodation.
- To act as a contact point for landlords in the management and provision of temporary accommodation, ensuring that new properties are added to the property database and relevant sections advised of any new acquisitions; to be responsible for the efficient allocation and letting of temporary accommodation, and ensuring void periods are minimised.
- To resolve disputes between landlord and tenant, as necessary, including monitoring progress on works, ensuring a timely response to disrepair issues.
- To ensure customers receive, either directly or through referral to relevant teams/agencies, appropriate advice on their options, providing information in advance of permanent re-housing so that properties are suitable first time round, guiding choice based lettings bidding strategies
- To be responsible for vetting all properties ensuring that there are no outstanding Environmental Health or tenancy related issues
Knowledge
- An understanding of the duties owed to customers threatened with homelessness/actual homelessness under relevant legislation
- An awareness of the services available to customers seeking help and accommodation provided by other organisations, both statutory and voluntary, including those beyond housing such as health & well-being, employment & education
- Knowledge of relevant Landlord and Tenant Legislation, Family and Immigration law, welfare and housing benefits; knowledge of the Children Act and Community Care Act, and associated case law as they relate to the Council's duties to homeless households.
- Good knowledge of the Housing Benefits system and general knowledge of wider welfare benefits available to tenants and customers
- Knowledge of the principles and processes of managing rent accounts
Qualifications & Experience
- Demonstrable experience of working with customers giving advice within a housing or similar service
- Experience of working in a demanding environment with the general public
- Experience of managing a housing patch or caseload covering at least one of the following areas:
Tenancy management
Property management
Income management
Please apply with your updated CV ensuring that any gaps in employment are explained.
At this point, may we take this opportunity to thank you for the interest you have shown in this role. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not always possible to respond to everyone. Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 7 days, your application for this vacancy will have been unsuccessful.