At a Glance
- Tasks: Support residents in managing their tenancies and resolving rent arrears.
- Company: Chime Housing, dedicated to improving lives through vital services.
- Benefits: 28 days annual leave, up to 11% pension contribution, and development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working with a blend of community engagement and remote work.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in debt management and excellent customer service skills required.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
The Vacancy
As an Income Officer, you'll play a key role in helping residents sustain their tenancies while ensuring the organisation can continue delivering great services. You'll manage a patch of properties, working directly with customers to resolve arrears, prevent debt from escalating, and provide support that makes a real difference to people's lives. This is a varied role that combines customer contact, problem-solving, partnership working and legal processes ideal for someone who enjoys a mix of independence and teamwork.
Introduction to the role
At Chime Housing, we provide vital services that help people to live better lives. We're looking for an Income Officer to join our Housing team and play a key role in supporting residents to sustain their tenancies, while helping us maximise the income we need to deliver great services.
Role purpose
To provide a proactive income and arrears management service for a defined patch, ensuring customers receive the support they need to maintain successful tenancies.
What's the role? Key Accountabilities:
- Manage rent arrears and tenancy-related debts in line with policy, procedures and best practice.
- Reduce debt owed in rent and service charges through early intervention and effective case management.
- Work closely with Lettings colleagues to prevent arrears for new customers.
- Support tenancy sustainment by identifying vulnerabilities and referring to safeguarding, social services, mental health teams and other agencies where appropriate.
- Take appropriate action to prevent arrears escalation, including making affordable repayment agreements, serving notices, preparing legal paperwork and presenting cases in court.
- Monitor payment defaults following legal action and take further steps where required.
- Maintain accurate records and ensure regular contact with tenants.
- Provide advice on budgeting, income and expenditure, and welfare benefits, referring complex cases to specialist agencies.
- Liaise with Housing Benefit and the DWP (Universal Credit) to resolve claims and adjustments.
- Set up and amend direct debits in response to customer or Housing Benefit changes.
- Carry out home visits and office appointments to discuss arrears.
- Reconcile payments and adjustments with the Finance Team.
- Achieve agreed income recovery targets for rent collection and arrears reduction.
- Undertake any other duties appropriate to the role.
What are we looking for?
- Essential:
- Experience: Proven debt management experience; experience supporting people in challenging or stressful situations; experience presenting in court and understanding legal processes for rent arrears.
- Knowledge: Understanding of relevant housing legislation; familiarity with Microsoft Office; ability to use Housing Management and Arrears Management systems.
- Skills & Abilities: Excellent customer service, communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills; strong organisational and time-management abilities; accurate data input; ability to work independently and collaboratively; ability to manage confrontation; valid driving licence and access to a vehicle.
- Qualifications: Good general education or relevant experience.
- Desirable:
- CIH-recognised qualification.
- Commitment to CIH professionalism standards and championing the role of housing professionals.
What can we offer you?
- 28 days annual leave (pro rata)
- Employer pension contribution of up to 11%
- Development opportunities
- Comprehensive employee rewards scheme
How we work
We embrace agile working blending time in our communities, shared spaces, and remote working. With digital technology at the heart of our approach, we empower teams and individuals to work flexibly.
How to apply
If this sounds like your next role, click apply now, tell us why you've got what it takes, and attach a copy of your current CV.
Closing date: 9th September 2026
Interviews: 21st September 2026 (Please note we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a large response.)
Income Officer in Stevenage employer: Chime housing
Chime Housing is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its employees, offering a supportive work culture where teamwork and community impact are at the forefront. With opportunities for professional growth and a commitment to flexible working arrangements, including part-time options, we empower our staff to thrive both personally and professionally in the vibrant setting of Watford. Join us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our customers while enjoying a fulfilling career in housing management.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Income Officer in Stevenage
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Chime housing.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Chime housing!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Chime housing, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Chime housing or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Income Officer in Stevenage
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Chime housing:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Chime housing! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chime housing
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
