Homeownership Officer (6m FTC)

Lifestone Homes Ltd; High Wycombe; Hybrid; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Health Cash Plan

Generous pension scheme

Annual leave entitlement up to 30 days

Flexible benefits allowance

Job summary

Lifestone Homes Ltd is seeking a Homeownership Officer in a 6-month fixed-term contract based in Wooburn Green, High Wycombe. You will manage resale, lease extension, and Section 20 matters, providing expert guidance to residents and colleagues to uphold high service standards.

You will work on a varied caseload with a focus on delivering value for money while maintaining strong relationships with residents, management companies, and external partners. This role is hybrid, 37 hours per week.

Qualifications

• Previous experience working within leasehold, homeownership or housing management services
• Good understanding of current housing legislation and leasehold management practices
• Experience delivering a responsive customer-focused service
• Ability to communicate and negotiate effectively with residents, stakeholders and partners
• Experience managing complex enquiries and resolving issues professionally
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities
• Ability to assess situations, make decisions and take ownership of outcomes
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Customer-focused approach with a commitment to delivering positive outcomes
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships across a range of stakeholders
• Creative and solution-focused approach to problem solving

Responsibilities

• Manage 100% resale enquiries and associated conveyancing administration within agreed timescales
• Respond to legal enquiries and work closely with internal and external legal teams
• Process applications requiring permissions under leases, including alterations and other requests
• Administer lease extension applications and associated processes
• Support the delivery of Section 20 consultations, including preparation of statutory notices
• Work closely with Property Services, Asset Management and Development teams on planned works and procurement activities affecting homeowners
• Provide specialist advice and guidance on leasehold and freehold matters across the organisation
• Act as an advocate for homeowners, ensuring their needs and expectations are understood and considered
• Attend site visits, scheme briefings and post-occupation reviews where required
• Support service improvement projects and homeowner engagement initiatives
• Manage homeowner enquiries, concerns and complaints professionally and effectively
• Build strong relationships with residents, management companies, freeholders, valuers and other stakeholders
• Support colleagues across the wider business by sharing expertise and best practice on homeownership matters

Job description

About you

Homeownership Officer

Salary: £41,065 + excellent benefits

Location: Wooburn Green, High Wycombe

Hybrid working: Two days per week in the office, three days per week working from home, with occasional travel to schemes and properties across our operating area

Contract: 6‑month fixed‑term contract

Hours: 37 per week

Are you looking to join a growing, values-led organisation with a clear social purpose?

At Lifestone Homes, we’re proud to be the largest housing group in the region, managing over 30,000 homes across Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and Hertfordshire.

Everything we do is about delivering excellent services, high quality homes, neighbourhoods we can be proud of and maximising number of new affordable homes we build. Through our merger we’ve brought together shared values, skills and ambition, so we can build more affordable homes and make an even bigger difference in the communities we serve

If you're ready to grow your career in a supportive, inclusive environment while helping to shape stronger communities, we’d love to welcome you on our journey. Together, we’re building a better future.

About the Role

We are looking for a Homeownership Officer to join our Homeownership Services team on a 6‑month fixed‑term contract.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with leasehold or homeownership experience to play a key role in supporting homeowners, leaseholders and shared owners across Lifestone Homes. Acting as an in‑house expert on leasehold and freehold matters, you will provide advice, guidance and practical support to both residents and colleagues.

You’ll manage a varied caseload covering resales, permissions, lease extensions, legal enquiries and Section 20 consultations, while helping to ensure homeowners receive a high‑quality service that meets their expectations and delivers value for money.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage 100% resale enquiries and associated conveyancing administration within agreed timescales
• Respond to legal enquiries and work closely with internal and external legal teams
• Process applications requiring permissions under leases, including alterations and other requests
• Administer lease extension applications and associated processes
• Support the delivery of Section 20 consultations, including preparation of statutory notices
• Work closely with Property Services, Asset Management and Development teams on planned works and procurement activities affecting homeowners
• Provide specialist advice and guidance on leasehold and freehold matters across the organisation
• Act as an advocate for homeowners, ensuring their needs and expectations are understood and considered
• Attend site visits, scheme briefings and post‑occupation reviews where required
• Support service improvement projects and homeowner engagement initiatives
• Manage homeowner enquiries, concerns and complaints professionally and effectively
• Build strong relationships with residents, management companies, freeholders, valuers and other stakeholders
• Support colleagues across the wider business by sharing expertise and best practice on homeownership matters

Our expectations

• High levels of homeowner satisfaction and positive customer feedback
• Resale packs and solicitor enquiries completed accurately and within agreed timescales
• Effective management of legal enquiries, permissions and leasehold applications
• Successful delivery of Section 20 consultation processes
• Positive relationships with homeowners, colleagues and external stakeholders
• High standards of accuracy, compliance and record keeping
• Active contribution towards service improvements and homeowner engagement initiatives
• Delivery of a value‑for‑money service that supports both residents and the organisation

About you

Essential

• Previous experience working within leasehold, homeownership or housing management services
• Good understanding of current housing legislation and leasehold management practices
• Experience delivering a responsive customer‑focused service
• Ability to communicate and negotiate effectively with residents, stakeholders and partners
• Experience managing complex enquiries and resolving issues professionally
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities
• Ability to assess situations, make decisions and take ownership of outcomes
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Customer‑focused approach with a commitment to delivering positive outcomes
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships across a range of stakeholders
• Creative and solution‑focused approach to problem solving

Desired

• Previous experience managing complaints and complex customer cases
• Experience administering lease extensions, permissions or resale transactions
• Knowledge of Section 20 consultation requirements
• Experience working within social housing or a homeownership service environment
• Understanding of service charges, planned works and leasehold obligations

Where could this role take you?

Whilst this opportunity is offered as a 6‑month fixed‑term contract, it provides valuable exposure to a specialist area of housing management. You'll gain experience across leasehold services, legal processes, customer engagement and service improvement, while working closely with teams across the organisation.

Many colleagues have joined Lifestone Homes on fixed‑term contracts and gone on to build successful long‑term careers within the business. Whilst we cannot guarantee a permanent opportunity at the end of the contract, you will gain valuable experience and develop skills that can help support the next step in your career.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave, increasing with service to a maximum of 30 days
• 30 days annual leave from day one for Head of Service, Assistant Director and Director roles
• Christmas closure in addition to your annual leave entitlement
• Option to buy up to 5 additional days of annual leave each year
• Generous pension scheme with up to 10% employer contributions
• Annual performance bonus scheme, recognising individual contributions and achievements
• Enhanced family-friendly leave, including maternity and paternity benefits
• Health Cash Plan with support for everyday healthcare costs, virtual health services, gym discounts and free cover for up to four dependent children
• Life assurance worth three times your annual salary
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing 24/7 confidential support for your mental, physical and financial wellbeing
• Flexible and hybrid working, helping you balance work and personal commitments
• £200 annual flexible benefits allowance to spend through our benefits platform
• Generous sick pay and income protection cover
• Essential car user allowance and business mileage payments for eligible roles

And that's just the beginning! We also offer:

• Salary sacrifice car leasing scheme with electric and hybrid vehicle options
• Funded training, professional qualifications and apprenticeships
• Two paid Giving Back Days each year to support local communities and charitable causes
• Up to 5 days paid carers leave
• Up to 5 days paid emergency childcare leave
• Paid professional membership or subscription (one per year)
• Peer recognition and reward programme
• Sabbatical opportunities for eligible colleagues
• Mental Health First Aiders across the organisation
• Modern office facilities, including free parking and EV charging where available

Working Hours & Additional Pay

• 37 hours per week
• Mon - Thursday 09:00 - 17:30
• Friday 09:00 - 17:00

Our Commitment

We are committed to creating an inclusive workforce, by reflecting and representing the diversity of the communities we serve. We would like to encourage applications from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds; people who identify as disabled, neurodiverse, members of the LGBTQ+ community and people from underrepresented groups.

Accessibility and Adjustments

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. Please let us know in advance of any suitable arrangements required.

Due to the nature of some of our roles involving work with vulnerable members of society, this post may be subject to a basic or enhanced Criminal Disclosure, which will be carried out when a conditional offer is made.

Please ensure you fully answer the questions on the application form.

Closing Date: 18th November, 2026.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the closing date should we find a suitable candidate.