Estate Manager in Twickenham

To manage approximately 750 properties and deal with a wide range of tenancy and leasehold issues.

Specific Duties:

• Responsible to the Area Housing Manager through the Senior Estate Manager for the day-to-day management and routine repair of a group of dwellings within the Area.
• Provides the main point of contact with tenants and leaseholders by receiving and acting upon tenants and leaseholders' complaints and enquiries. Carries out inspections of individual properties as well as internal and external communal areas of blocks and estates, making recommendations for improvements as necessary.
• Responsible for prioritising own workload, dealing with enquiries and requests on management and repair matters in accordance with established policies and procedures. As the first and primary point of contact, is required to be highly conversant and comply with relevant legislation and case law, imparting the information to tenants, residents and leaseholders as required.
• Investigates and recommends management transfers, discretionary tenancies, succession requests and prepares reports for Area Housing Manager/ Deputy Area Housing Manager where appropriate. Liaises with internal and external agencies in respect of vulnerable residents with mental or physical health issues or social difficulties. Attends and presents at case conferences such as Community Multi Agency Risk Assessment Panel or Team Around the Child regarding high risk or complex cases.
• Issues repair orders in accordance with Council procedures; carries out post-inspections and the checking of invoices. Processes variation orders and resolves disputes regarding invoices. Responsible for ensuring appropriate security measures are taken for all vacant properties in their patch.
• Assesses whether permission should be given to tenants and leaseholders to carry out alterations/improvements in accordance with Council policy and detailed procedures/ stringent time limits. Investigates unauthorised alterations and takes appropriate enforcement action to remedy breaches of tenancy/lease terms. Investigates breaches by Leaseholders of HMO Regulations.
• Responsible for full and appropriate investigation of routine and non-routine complex cases of antisocial behaviour, including all reports of hate crime; ensures all cases are progressed in accordance with policy and procedure. Keeps the NPS anti-social behaviour database fully updated. Initiates mediation where possible and takes enforcement action for breach of lease/tenancy agreements where appropriate.
• Responsible for investigating, and taking appropriate action on complaints from residents, elected Members of Parliament and ward Councillors.
• Responsible for processing Flexible Fixed Term Tenancies Reviews in accordance with policy and detailed procedure, adhering to stringent time limits. Ensures that timely responses are provided to leasehold Pre-Assignment Queries and Right to Buy tenancy and occupancy checks to ensure compliance with the statutory time frame and prevent compensatory payments by the Council.
• Assists the Resident Participation Officer in maintaining positive liaison with existing tenant, resident/ leaseholder associations/ forum meetings as directed by the Area Housing Manager. Assists where appropriate in the formation of new associations and attends relevant evening meetings/ weekend social events.
• Attends Court routinely on housing management cases, gas safety injunction cases, unauthorised occupants, and squatters; also arranges and attends subsequent evictions. Attends evictions for rent arrears and unauthorised occupation and executes gas safety injunction orders.
• Calculates charges for major works and consults with leaseholders in accordance with relevant legislation including the preparation of consultation letters, subsequent negotiations with leaseholders and liaison with other sections of the department and other Council departments. Similarly advises leaseholders on matters relating to routine service charges/major works: answers service charge enquiries within timescales laid down in the Leaseholder's Charter.
• Responsible for undertaking fire safety checks, particularly of leasehold property front entrance doors to ensure compliance with fire regulations and specific lease terms. Makes sure buildings are compliant with fire safety regulations by ensuring that communal areas are clear. Initiates and progresses enforcement action for breach of lease if warranted.