Housing and Compliance Officer

Homeless Link; Hove; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

YMCA DownsLink Group is the leading charity for children and young people across Sussex and Surrey. We seek a proactive Housing and Compliance Officer to deliver high-quality housing management and property compliance across our Sussex properties, reporting to the Asset Management Team.

You will oversee tenants, conduct home visits, coordinate repairs, and ensure properties meet the Decent Homes Standard while safeguarding tenant safety and maintaining excellent customer service.

Qualifications

• CIH Level 3 qualification in Housing or related field (desirable)
• Experience in property compliance, building safety, or health and safety
• Awareness of HHSRS, to support safe, compliant homes
• Experience in social housing sector and housing management roles
• Experience with income collection, tenancy sustainment and arrears management

Responsibilities

• Housing and tenancy management across Sussex properties
• Resident engagement and support to residents
• Repairs coordination and contractor management
• Property compliance, health and safety oversight
• Damp, mould and disrepair case management
• Compliance programme oversight and safety standards adherence
• Safeguarding tenant safety and monitoring contractor performance
• Income collection and tenancy enforcement support
• Customer service and complaint resolution

Skills

Housing management

Property compliance

Health and safety

Resident engagement

Contractor management

Education

CIH Level 3 housing qualification

Job description

37 hours per week / permanent / Monday - Thursday 9am - 5pm; Friday 9am - 4.30pm / Based onsite in Hove, this role also involves regular weekly visits to our properties across Sussex. To support this travel, you will need a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

YMCA DownsLink Group is the leading charity for children and young people across Sussex and Surrey. We offer safe homes, mental health support and trusted advice.

We believe that every child and young person has the right to be safe, heard and to shape their own future. We work alongside them to make that happen.

We are here for children and young people, many of whom face multiple challenges and need our support.

Our Values - we do what’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections – guide us in all our actions.

We are seeking a proactive, tenant-focused Housing and Compliance Officer to deliver high-quality housing management and property compliance services across our Sussex properties.

Reporting to the Income and Property Manager and working as part of the Asset Management Team, you will play a key role in ensuring our general needs properties are well‑managed, compliant with all relevant regulations, and provide safe, secure homes for our residents. This role combines housing management responsibilities with oversight of property compliance, requiring strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellent customer service.

The role involves overseeing tenants throughout their housing journey, conducting home visits, managing tenancy matters, coordinating repairs, and ensuring properties remain safe, compliant, and meet the Decent Homes Standard.

You will work closely with tenants, contractors, and internal teams to maintain excellent housing services, manage compliance programmes, address damp and mould cases, and ensure adherence to housing regulations and safety standards.

You will also play a key role in safeguarding tenant safety, monitoring contractor performance, supporting income collection, responding to complaints, and championing tenant voice to drive service improvements.

Key areas of responsibility

• Housing and tenancy management
• Resident engagement and support
• Repairs and maintenance coordination
• Property compliance and health and safety
• Damp, mould and disrepair case management
• Contractor and supplier management
• Income collection and tenancy enforcement
• Customer service and complaint resolution

This is an excellent opportunity for a housing professional with experience in housing management, property compliance, and health and safety. You'll be passionate about delivering high-quality, customer-focused services that make a tangible difference to people's lives and help ensure residents have safe, secure, and well‑maintained homes.

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

• A minimum of a CIH Level 3 qualification in Housing, Housing Maintenance, Asset Management, Letting and Managing Residential Property, or Housing Practice/Services (desirable)
• We will also consider candidates who can demonstrate significant relevant experience in property compliance, building safety, or health and safety, or who hold a recognised City & Guilds, IOSH, or NEBOSH qualification
• Awareness of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), or a willingness to develop expertise in this area, to support YMCA DLG's commitment to providing safe, compliant, and high‑quality homes
• Significant experience within the social housing sector, ideally in housing management, resident engagement, or customer-focused service delivery roles
• Experience working for a Registered Provider, housing association, local authority, or other social housing organisation
• Demonstrable experience of working within a regulated housing environment, delivering housing management and property compliance services while building positive relationships with residents and stakeholders
• Experience supporting tenancy-related processes, including starter and continuation documentation, to help residents sustain successful tenancies
• Experience of working within a psychologically informed environment and applying trauma-informed approaches is desirable; training can be provided
• Strong experience in auditing, data collection, record management, and maintaining accurate housing management systems
• Experience coordinating and monitoring contractors to ensure works are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the required standard
• Proven ability to engage effectively with residents, contractors, local authority departments, partner agencies, and regulatory bodies
• Experience of income collection, tenancy sustainment, and arrears management within a social housing setting
• Good working knowledge of housing legislation and statutory compliance requirements, including fire safety, gas safety, electrical safety, water safety, and resident access arrangements for compliance works
• Ability to identify, promote, and embed best practice across teams and services

CLOSING DATE

Thursday 3 December at midnight. If we find the right candidate sooner than expected, we may close the advert early - so early applications are strongly encouraged.

PLEASE NOTE

We are unable to provide work permits or visa sponsorship for this role, so applicants must already have the right to live and work in the UK independently.

An inclusive workplace

We are committed to policies and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment.

Accessibility

If you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please do contact us.

YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns.

Successful applicants will undergo a thorough pre-employment screening process conducted by an accredited third-party screening provider. This will include an Enhanced DBS check with Children’s and Adults’ Barred List checks, as determined by the nature of the role and activities undertaken. Screening will also include, but may not be limited to, right to work verification, employment and reference checks, address verification, and open-source intelligence (OSINT) screening.