Housing Review Officer

Vox Network Consultants; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority is seeking a Housing Review Officer to oversee statutory reviews of housing decisions in North London. The role involves liaising with legal departments and developing training programs for staff. Ideal candidates will have a detailed knowledge of housing law and local authority experience. The position is contract-based with a working schedule of Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, offering an initial 3 to 6 month period with possibilities for extension.

Qualifications

• Detailed knowledge of housing legislation and case law related to advice issues.
• Good standard of education.
• Local Authority experience required.

Responsibilities

• Review all homeless decisions and housing assessments.
• Liaise with Legal Department to defend legal challenges.
• Develop procedures for officers and train staff.

Skills

Knowledge of housing legislation

Verbal and written communication

Local Authority experience

Education

Good standard of education

Job description

Housing Review Officer

North London Immediate Start

My client is recruiting for a Housing Review Officer based within the local Authority in North London and the surrounding area.

Responsibilities

• To carry out the statutory function of reviewing all homeless decisions, offers of accommodation and housing register assessments, where a review is requested.
• To ensure that statutory reviews are carried out within the statutory time limits.
• To liaise with the Legal Department and Head of Service to defend legal challenges whether that is from judicial review proceedings or County Court appeals under section 204 of the Housing Act 1996.
• To develop procedures and guidelines for officers in liaison with Service Development Manager.
• To ensure that legal costs are minimised in relation to threatened/actual court action.
• Authorise and, where appropriate, make recommendations on the placement into temporary accommodation of persons to whom the Council owes a duty. To exercise discretion in deciding whether to continue providing accommodation pending a review or county court appeal.
• To develop training programs and train staff in relation to changes in legislation/caselaw/regulations.

Requirements

• Highly detailed knowledge of current and emerging housing legislation and case law related to housing advice issues including private sector landlord and tenant law, security of tenure, homelessness law, housing benefit and other welfare benefit regulations, possession proceedings in the county court including court procedure rules, Community legal Services funding rules etc.
• Detailed knowledge of the legal challenges local authorities face.
• Good standard of education.
• Local Authority experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Contract

• Initial 3 to 6 month ongoing contract with the opportunity to extend.
• PAYE via Umbrella.
• Monday to Friday.
• 9am to 5pm.

PLEASE NOTE: All applications are monitored and shortlisted candidates will be contacted via phone call or email.