Neighbourhood Housing Officer

Civic Recruitment Limited; Kettering; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited in the United Kingdom is seeking a Housing Officer to deliver frontline housing management for council tenants and leaseholders. You will manage tenancies, oversee estate management, and support vulnerable residents while ensuring compliance with housing policies.

Reporting to the local authority, the role involves enforcement actions, arrears recovery, safeguarding, and collaboration with internal teams to sustain tenancies and thriving communities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' experience in a Housing Officer or similar role.
• Experience in Local Authority or Registered Housing Provider.
• Strong knowledge of Housing Management and Rent Arrears Recovery.
• Experience conducting estate inspections, tenancy reviews, and home visits.
• Full UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Manage a designated patch of council properties and tenancies.
• Undertake settling-in visits, tenure reviews and property inspections.
• Process tenancy changes, mutual exchanges and succession requests.
• Assess applications for alterations and home move assistance.
• Respond to tenancy reference requests and support vulnerable tenants.
• Promote downsizing and mobility schemes, and housing exchanges.
• Enforce tenancy conditions and address breaches.
• Monitor estates to ensure safety and maintenance.
• Provide advice and assistance to tenants and leaseholders.
• Maintain accurate case notes and service data.

Skills

Housing Management

Tenancy Management

Rent Arrears Recovery

Estate Management

Housing Legislation

ASB Procedures

Possession Proceedings

Customer Service

Communication Skills

Driving Licence

Education

Degree or higher-level housing qualification

CIH Qualification or Membership

Tools

Housing management systems

Job description

Contract | Civic Recruitment Limited | United Kingdom

Job Information

Community & Social

City Kettering

Province Northamptonshire

Postal Code NN16

Job Description

3 Month Contract With A local Authority

Job Purpose

To deliver a comprehensive front-line housing management service to council tenants and leaseholders, ensuring excellent customer service, effective tenancy management, estate management and income collection.

The postholder will proactively manage tenancies, carry out estate inspections, recover rent arrears, support vulnerable tenants, enforce tenancy conditions and work collaboratively with internal teams and partner agencies to maintain sustainable tenancies and thriving communities.

Key Responsibilities

Tenancy Management

• Manage a designated patch of council properties and tenancies.
• Undertake:
  • Settling-in visits
  • Tenancy reviews
  • Property inspections
  • Abandonment investigations
  • Pre-void inspections
  • Warrants of entry visits
• Process tenancy changes, mutual exchanges and succession requests.
• Assess applications for property alterations and home move assistance.
• Respond to tenancy reference requests.
• Support tenants with emergency accommodation arrangements where required.
• Enforce tenancy conditions and address breaches appropriately.
• Identify vulnerable tenants and make referrals to support services.
• Promote downsizing initiatives and mobility schemes.
• Support tenants to access suitable accommodation through housing exchange schemes.
• Carry out regular estate inspections and walkabouts.
• Identify environmental and estate management issues and ensure prompt resolution.
• Implement neighbourhood action plans with residents and stakeholders.
• Monitor communal areas and housing estates to ensure they remain safe and well maintained.
• Support community action days and estate improvement initiatives.
• Enforce garage licence agreements and take appropriate enforcement action where required.
• Address fire safety issues and ensure compliance with housing policies.

Income Collection & Arrears Recovery

• Manage rent arrears and housing-related debt.
• Maintain regular contact with tenants through:
  • Home visits
  • Telephone calls
  • Email
  • Letters
  • Text messaging
  • Office interviews
• Complete financial assessments and affordability reviews.
• Negotiate and monitor repayment agreements.
• Promote payment methods and support tenants to maintain accounts.
• Work collaboratively with support services to prevent arrears escalation.

Legal & Enforcement Activity

• Prepare and serve legal notices including:
  • Notice Seeking Possession
  • Notice of Termination
  • Introductory Tenancy Notices
• Prepare court documentation and possession claims.
• Attend court hearings and represent the Council when required.
• Conduct pre-court visits and interviews.
• Monitor court orders and attend evictions.
• Work in line with pre-action protocols to prevent homelessness wherever possible.

Customer Support & Safeguarding

• Provide advice, guidance and assistance to tenants and leaseholders.
• Support customers experiencing financial hardship or complex needs.
• Make referrals to welfare, tenancy support and safeguarding services.
• Promote tenancy sustainment and homelessness prevention.
• Ensure safeguarding concerns are identified and reported appropriately.

Administration & Performance

• Maintain accurate case notes, records and databases.
• Respond to complaints, Councillor enquiries and MP enquiries.
• Produce performance information and service data when required.
• Contribute to policy, procedure and service improvement reviews.
• Maintain knowledge of housing legislation, policy and best practice.

Requirements

• Minimum 3 years' experience in a Housing Officer, Neighbourhood Officer or similar housing management role.
• Experience working within a Local Authority or Registered Housing Provider.
• Strong knowledge of:
  • Housing Management
  • Tenancy Management
  • Rent Arrears Recovery
  • Estate Management
  • Housing Legislation
  • Anti-Social Behaviour Procedures
  • Possession Proceedings
• Experience conducting:
  • Estate Inspections
  • Tenancy Reviews
  • Home Visits
  • Property Inspections
• Experience managing rent arrears and tenancy enforcement.
• Understanding of county court possession processes.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Excellent interviewing and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage a demanding workload.
• Strong report writing and record-keeping abilities.
• Good IT skills and experience using housing management systems.
• Ability to work with vulnerable residents and complex cases.
• Full UK Driving Licence.
• Access to a vehicle with business insurance.
• CIH Qualification or Membership.
• Experience representing landlords at court hearings.
• Experience working within social housing income management teams.
• Degree or higher-level housing qualification.
• Experience delivering neighbourhood or community-based housing services.

Additional Information

• Location: Corby & Kettering (5 Days On Site, Approximately 60% Field Based)