Housing Officer

2 months contract with potential extensions with an Essex based Local Authority.

Job Summary:

To provide a highquality estate management service; ensuring outstanding customer service and service delivery.

Engaging with customers to design services that work for them and utilising resources within the local community to make a real quality difference to people s lives.

The post covers a wide range of duties assisting with the daytoday management of the Council s housing stock as it relates to efficient estate management including rent arrears and antisocial behaviour.

Key Duties/Accountabilities:

To enforce the Council s Income Management Policy and procedures including proactive discussions with customers precourt visits and courteviction attendance.

To pursue rent arrears in accordance with the Income Management Policy. To visit tenants in their own homes if necessary outside working hours to discuss and secure a reduction in arrears as quickly as possible and to give advice as appropriate on any financial assistance available.

To assist in providing an excellent rent accounting service delivery including the administration of the direct debits system.

To provide advice & assistance to customers in relation to welfare reform to ensure future tenancy sustainment.

To assist in maintaining the PreTenancy Service to encourage tenants to adopt a payments culture .

To provide a consistently outstanding service that demonstrates the Council s corporate values and makes a real difference to resident s lives including ensuring our properties are well presented and maintained.

To ensure that services we deliver are customer focused and responsive to local needs. Working closely to our tenant Participation Groups and encouraging involvement and feedback as an integral part of the service. This may include the need to attend evening meetings.

To ensure an appropriate and focused response to AntiSocial behaviour and other breaches of tenancy conditions. Action to be realistic fast and efficient and supported by an effective action plan.

To visit prospective residents prior to lettings; carrying out accompanied viewings.

Ensuring effective signups for tenants. Selling the ethos of tenancy sustainment and responsibility.

To processes Mutual Exchanges in accordance with the strict legal guidelines ensuring documents are collected and maintained in an organised manner.

To take ownership and responsibility for any service related written or verbal complaints or enquiries from the public Council Staff Statutory Agencies or other bodies and to respond promptly and efficiently within the set timescales. Ensuring a high level of professionalism and customer service is maintained at all times.

To visit estates and tenants in their homes if necessary outside working hours if necessary to resolve tenancy disputes and complaints on a full range of estate management issues.

To assist in monitoring the condition of estates having particular regard to the condition of amenity greens tenants gardens trees parking and abandoned vehicles. To assist in ensuring that acceptable standards of cleanliness are achieved and liaising with caretakers to ensure delivery of this within appropriate timescales.

To report repairs and liaise with the Repairs team and external contractors to ensure expedient completion of necessary works within the agreed performance targets.

To assess a customer s circumstances and to liaise with all appropriate agencies such as Police Social Services CMHT Job Centre Benefits agency Citizens Advice Bureau etc to ensure tenancy sustainment.

To carry out home visits and liaise with statutory voluntary and other external agencies including attendance at case conferences or other meetings as necessary.

To maintain accurate written and computerised records of progress and outcomes for all casework and competently use computerised technology including Microsoft Office (word excel and outlook etc) the internet Nafn Uniform and inhouse systems such as Orchard and Locata.

To maintain and provide statistical information relating to Relet figures rent arrears Antisocial Behaviour and customer satisfaction rates as required by the Head of Housing or Housing Manager.

To develop and maintain effective working relationships with other Council staff and a variety of statutory and voluntary agencies including Social Services Police Probation and other local housing providers.

To be an active and willing member of the Estate Management team. This includes participating in all duties and providing cover for colleagues.

To attend and participate in internal and external meetings as required.

Essential Experience Required:

Knowledge of the Orchard Housing Management System.

Substantial experience of working in a Social Housing environment

Practical experience of income recovery and debt collection.

Ability to compile and maintain accurate casework.

Additional information to note:

This post is Hybrid (4 days onsite).

Valid full UK driving licence.

Willingness and flexibility to work outside normal hours as necessary.

The closing date for this position is Thursday 15/08/2024.