Temporary Accommodation Acquisitions Officer

Crawley Borough Council; Crawley; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Crawley Borough Council is seeking a proactive Temporary Accommodation Acquisitions Officer to join the Housing Options team. You will identify, negotiate and procure temporary accommodation from private landlords and providers to meet statutory duties and support households.

In this role you will build relationships with landlords, inspect properties for compliance, maintain records and data, and help increase the supply of suitable homes while managing a varied workload to tight deadlines.

Qualifications

• Experience of working in housing, property management, lettings, acquisitions or a related field.
• Strong negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Knowledge of the private rented sector and housing legislation.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to manage a varied workload and meet deadlines.
• Good IT skills and experience maintaining accurate records.

Responsibilities

• Identify and secure suitable temporary accommodation within and outside the borough.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with private landlords, managing agents and accommodation providers.
• Negotiate rental agreements and terms to achieve value for money and compliance with council requirements.
• Conduct property inspections to ensure accommodation meets required standards and legislative requirements.
• Work closely with Housing Options Officers and other colleagues to match accommodation to households' needs.
• Monitor accommodation availability and maintain accurate records and performance data.
• Assist in developing initiatives to increase the supply of temporary accommodation.
• Ensure all acquired properties comply with health and safety, licensing and housing standards.

Skills

Negotiation

Relationship management

Housing experience

Private rented sector

Communication skills

Customer service

IT skills

Record keeping

Workload management

Deadline management

Homelessness experience

Local government

Procurement

Landlord engagement

Leasing knowledge

Housing legislation

Job description

About The Role

We are looking for a proactive and motivated temporary Accommodation Acquisitions Officer to join our Housing Options team. This is an exciting opportunity to help secure high-quality accommodation for households experiencing homelessness, ensuring we meet our statutory duties while delivering positive outcomes for residents.

As part of a busy and committed team, you will be responsible for identifying, negotiating and procuring suitable temporary accommodation from private landlords, letting agents and accommodation providers. Your work will play a vital role in reducing the use of costly emergency accommodation and increasing the availability of suitable homes for vulnerable households.

The temporary Accommodation Acquisitions Officer will:

• identify and secure suitable temporary accommodation within and outside the borough
• build and maintain effective relationships with private landlords, managing agents and accommodation providers
• negotiates rental agreements and terms to achieve value for money and compliance with council requirements
• conduct property inspections to ensure accommodation meets required standards and legislative requirements
• work closely with Housing Options Officers and other colleagues to match accommodation to households' needs
• monitor accommodation availability and maintain accurate records and performance data
• assist in developing initiatives to increase the supply of temporary accommodation
• ensure all acquired properties comply with health and safety, licensing and housing standards

We are looking for someone who has:

• experience of working in housing, property management, lettings, acquisitions or a related field
• strong negotiation and relationship management skills
• knowledge of the private rented sector and housing legislation
• excellent communication and customer service skills
• the ability to manage a varied workload and meet competing deadlines
• good IT skills and experience maintaining accurate records

It would also be desirable to have:

• experience of working within homelessness services or local government
• knowledge of temporary accommodation management, procurement or landlord engagement
• understanding of landlord incentives, leasing arrangements and housing benefit subsidy

Crawley is a great place to work, with a thriving business district and excellent transport connections including nearby Gatwick Airport. We are based in our modern Town Hall which opened in 2023 and is located a short walk from the town centre and railway station.

Additional Information

This post is a two-year fixed term contract.

A Baseline Personnel Security Standard check is required as part of this role and that will also entail the successful applicant undertaking a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check.

Employee Benefits

We offer a generous employee benefits package, with a range of discounts, benefits and wellbeing incentives to suit everyone.

Local Government Reorganisation

Local government reorganisation (LGR) is planned across Sussex, with new unitary authorities expected by 2028. While this represents a significant change for councils, most roles will continue to focus on delivering vital services to our residents and business communities. As the future structure evolves, our name may change, but our commitment to providing excellent services and supporting our employees will not. Joining us now means being part of a dedicated team during an important and evolving time for local government.

Our Way of Working

Our shared values and behaviours reflect the special nature of our council. We encourage all colleagues to put them into practice, whatever job they do. Take a look to see if we are the perfect match.

Safer Recruitment

Crawley Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer of first choice reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all under represented groups.