Housing Acquisitions Officer

Carrington West; London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a proactive Acquisition Officer to join their Housing Needs Service team. This vital role focuses on homelessness prevention by securing quality private rented sector accommodation. You will be responsible for sourcing properties, negotiating lettings, and building partnerships with landlords and agents. With the pressures from the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, this is your chance to make a significant impact quickly. Join a committed team dedicated to delivering life-changing housing solutions for vulnerable residents and help drive down homelessness in the community.

Qualifications

• Experience in housing procurement and lettings with a solid understanding of housing legislation.
• Proven track record in homelessness prevention and private sector housing roles.

Responsibilities

• Identify and secure properties for temporary accommodation and prevention initiatives.
• Build relationships with landlords and agents to maximize procurement opportunities.

Skills

Housing legislation knowledge

Negotiation skills

Relationship-building skills

Organizational skills

Time management skills

Education

Experience in housing procurement

Knowledge of homelessness law

Tools

NEC DM systems

Job description

We are seeking a proactive and experienced Acquisition Officer to join a busy Housing Needs Service team. You will play a critical role at the forefront of homelessness prevention, securing quality private rented sector accommodation to meet rising demand for temporary housing and long-term solutions.

In this vital role, you will be responsible for sourcing properties, building partnerships with landlords and agents, and negotiating lettings to help deliver life-changing housing options for vulnerable residents. With new pressures from the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, this is your opportunity to make a real difference, fast.

Key Responsibilities

1. Proactively identify and secure properties across the private sector for temporary accommodation and prevention initiatives.
2. Build strong relationships with landlords, agents, and property suppliers to maximise procurement opportunities.
3. Conduct property inspections and ensure all acquisitions meet safety, suitability, and affordability standards.
4. Maintain accurate records, contribute to Personal Housing Plans, and ensure compliance with all statutory duties.
5. Actively promote Council schemes through landlord forums, networking, and targeted marketing activities.
6. Drive procurement targets and support broader service goals, reducing homelessness and reliance on temporary accommodation.
7. Work collaboratively with internal teams, Legal, Finance, and external agencies to deliver excellent outcomes for clients.

About You

1. Solid knowledge of housing legislation, homelessness law, and welfare reform.
2. Proven track record in housing procurement, lettings, homelessness prevention, or private sector housing roles.
3. Confident negotiator with excellent relationship-building skills.
4. Strong organisational and time management skills, able to meet deadlines under pressure.
5. Familiarity with NEC DM systems or similar case management tools is an advantage.
6. Professional, customer-focused, and committed to service excellence.
7. Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle preferred (travel expenses reimbursed).

How to Apply

If you are interested in this role and meet the criteria above, please send us your application today. If you have any questions about the vacancy, please click APPLY NOW.

If you do not hear from us within 48 hours of applying, your application has been unsuccessful.

Footnote

If you feel that this job matches your skills but not the rate, location, or seniority, please feel free to send us your CV anyway. We constantly recruit for similar roles across all levels, UK-wide, and would be pleased to speak with you confidentially about your employment status. Even if you're currently satisfied in your role, we welcome calls from housing professionals looking to make future connections. Our specialist team at Carrington West has over 100 years of combined experience in this market. For more information, call Zubair at Carrington West on (phone number removed).

By applying for this position, you agree for Carrington West to hold and process your personal data in accordance with our Data Protection Policy. Your data will only be shared with third-party clients for roles relevant to your application. You may withdraw consent at any time by contacting us.