FTA & Sundry Debt Officer

Christian Action Housing Association - Enfield; Enfield; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Health care cashback

Employee assistance programme

Supportive working environment

Generous pension

Job summary

Christian Action Housing Association - Enfield is seeking a dedicated FTA & Sundry Debt Officer in Enfield. You will manage recovery of former tenant arrears and sundry debts, administer a portfolio of accounts, and collaborate across departments to maximise income and meet policy guidelines.

Role requires experience in housing debt recovery, knowledge of tenancy and welfare reforms, and a commitment to high quality customer service, while safeguarding residents and working with partner agencies

Qualifications

• Experience in social housing, local authority, housing association or debt collection environments.
• Knowledge of rent arrears control including court filings and evictions.
• Ability to manage debt accounts and coordinate with other departments.
• Strong customer care and communication with tenants, safeguarding awareness.

Responsibilities

• Provide a customer-focused, proactive debt recovery service.
• Lead recovery of former tenant arrears, recharge debts and sundry debts.
• Administer debt accounts, use policies and tools; trace former tenants and refer to court where needed.
• Collaborate with Income Team Leader and others to maximise income and reduce debt.
• Coordinate across CAHA and partner agencies; support other departments as appropriate.
• Address complaints and safeguarding concerns in partnership with agencies.

Skills

Debt collection

Customer service

Legal/compliance understanding

Job description

Location: Enfield, EN3

Salary: £35,770 per Annum Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent

About Christian Action Housing

We are proud to be a local landlord and business, connected to our local community. Across Enfield, Barnet, Haringey and Waltham Forest we provide affordable housing, managing around 1400 homes and strive to provide more much needed services. We run essential supported living accommodation and services for young people, helping them to achieve independent living and a bright future.

Role Overview

The FTA & Sundry Debt Officer plays a pivotal role in ensuring the effective management and recovery of debts related to Former Tenant Arrears (FTA) and sundry accounts.

Key Responsibilities

• To provide a customer focussed, proactive, comprehensive and high quality Housing Debt Recovery service.
• Primary responsibility for the recovery of former tenant arrears, recharge debts and other sundry debts associated with a former CAHA tenancy.
• To administer a portfolio of debt accounts, working within agreed policies and procedures and utilising all appropriate and available tools to recover debts owed; these will include tracing of former tenants, debt collection agencies, other CAHA departments and referring cases to court where appropriate.
• Working with the Income Team Leader and Income Officers, be responsible for the delivery of a comprehensive high quality, efficient and compliant former tenant arrears and other sundry debt accounts ensuring debts are proactively managed resulting in income maximisation and debt reduction.
• Work collaboratively across CAHA, co-ordinating and cross working to achieve efficiency and supporting other departments as appropriate.
• Working in partnership with other agencies as appropriate, resolving complaints and other concerns, including safeguarding issues, as raised by staff, residents and/or their relatives and partner agencies.

For full job description please view the attached recruitment pack.

What We Are Looking For.

• Proven successful outcomes working in a similar role within Social Housing, Local Authority, Housing Association or private debt collection agency.
• A good understanding of social housing regulation, housing law and various form of tenure, welfare benefits and welfare reforms
• Demonstrable understanding of rent arrears control including filing particulars of claim, representation at court and carrying out evictions
• An ability to provide robust management of debts and rent accounts, whilst balancing the focus of tenancy sustainment
• An ability to provide excellent customer care and working closely with tenants to improve the customer experience
• Experience of working with vulnerable people and hard to reach groups

Benefits

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (pro rata)
• Health care cashback scheme
• Employee assistance programme including free counselling and legal advice
• A supportive and friendly working environment
• Generous pension scheme