Temporary Accommodation Officer - Housing Needs & Support

Harrow Council; Greater London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The London Borough of Harrow is seeking a proactive Accommodation Officer to join the Housing Needs service. You will manage a portfolio of temporary accommodation, including Private Sector Leased housing, ensuring safe and well-managed homes for homeless households.

You will oversee tenancy management, repairs coordination, contract management, and regular property inspections to ensure health and safety compliance, while supporting residents with housing options and welfare concerns.

Qualifications

• Experience interviewing and assessing clients’ housing needs.
• Experience handling complex casework face to face and in writing.
• Delivering a customer-focused service and resolving queries by phone or in person.
• Ability to manage properties including anti-social behaviour and tenancy breaches.
• Experience dealing with people in stressful situations.
• Team player with initiative, flexibility and resilience.
• Maintain accurate, concise records with attention to detail.
• Strong numeracy to assess rent affordability.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of temporary accommodation, including PSL, ensuring safe, suitable and well-managed homes.
• Oversee tenancy management: voids, lettings, sustainment, repairs coordination and landlord liaison.
• Contract management with temporary accommodation providers to meet contractual obligations and compliance.
• Conduct regular property inspections to ensure health and safety compliance.
• Monitor tenancies, visits to residents, and manage authorised occupation, vacation and repossession.
• Provide practical support and signposting on housing options, welfare benefits and finances, coordinating referrals as needed.

Skills

Front-facing interviewing

Assessing housing needs

Complex casework

Customer-focused service

Rent affordability numeracy

Team collaboration

Record keeping

Dealing with stressful situations

Job description

The London Borough of Harrow is seeking a proactive Accommodation Officer to join the Housing Needs service. You will manage a portfolio of temporary accommodation, including Private Sector Leased housing, ensuring safe and well-managed homes for homeless households.

You will oversee tenancy management, repairs coordination, contract management, and regular property inspections to ensure health and safety compliance, while supporting residents with housing options and welfare concerns.