At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage service charges and ensure fair budgeting for our customers in social housing.
- Company: Join a supportive team dedicated to excellent customer service in the housing sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Agile working environment with a focus on collaboration and career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your financial skills.
- Qualifications: Numerical skills and knowledge of MS Office, especially Excel, are essential.
The predicted salary is between 31937 - 39922 £ per year.
Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday–Friday
Salary: £31,937–£39,922 per annum (salary offered dependent on experience)
Contract: Permanent
You will be providing excellent customer service to our customers by ensuring service charges are budgeted and charged fairly in accordance with legislation and agreements. An operational understanding of the application of service charges in the social housing sector is essential to the role.
We support agile working, so you’ll be provided with IT equipment to work flexibly between your home and our Dartford office.
Responsibilities
- Setting service charge estimates for all existing stock annually, complying with tenancy agreements and leases and adhering to current legislation.
- Regular reconciliation of scheme accounts on finance accounting system identifying any discrepancies and provision of reports to relevant departments to investigate and resolve.
- Reconciling actual costs for all stock with a variable service charge and issue year end statement of accounts, complying with agreements, leases and current legislation.
- Assist Team Leader in liaising with external auditors, providing resolution of queries relating to the year-end accounts.
- Monitoring the financial performance of Managing agents by ensuring compliance with leases and agreements from estimates & final accounts.
- Work with the Managing Agent Officer to challenge Managing Agents if accounts are inaccurate and to issue legal notices in cases of non‑compliance.
- Reviewing all schemes ensuring existing reserve/sinking funds are up to date and accurately recorded or implemented if necessary and, following the annual reconciliation; notify residents (via audited accounts) of balance of reserve/sinking funds.
- Taking ownership to investigate and respond to any service-related complaints/queries from customers within set timescales at all times.
- Providing advice & support to the business to produce accurate service charge estimates for new schemes, including the calculation of charges for Capital Projects Committee, and collating and interpreting all legal documentation to ensure service charges are set in accordance with the same.
- Attending & representing Moat at first-tier tribunal hearings and resident meetings in collaboration with relevant internal departments.
Qualifications
- A good standard of education, with good numerical ability in particular.
- A working knowledge of MS Office, with proficient intermediate use of MS Excel.
- Good understanding in the use of financial, and other, database systems.
- An operational understanding of all legislation and best practice as it relates to service charges.
- An operational understanding of the application of service charges in the social housing sector, including in the context of lease arrangements.
Start date: 3 August 2026
Closing date for applications: 11pm Wednesday 17 June 2026. Interviews will be held in June 2026.
Service Charge Officer in Dartford employer: CIH International Housing Group
At Moat, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values employee growth and development. With flexible working arrangements from our Dartford office, competitive salaries, and a commitment to social housing, we empower our Service Charge Officers to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a balanced work-life environment.
Contact Details:
CIH International Housing Group Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Charge Officer in Dartford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the social housing sector, especially those who work with service charges. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of service charge legislation and best practices. We want you to be able to discuss how you’d handle real-life scenarios, so think through some examples beforehand.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! If you’ve got experience with MS Excel or financial systems, make sure to highlight that during interviews. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their numerical abilities and problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Service Charge Officer in Dartford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Service Charge Officer role. Highlight your experience in budgeting and service charges, especially in the social housing sector. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you a great fit. Don’t forget to mention your understanding of legislation and customer service.
Showcase Your Numerical Skills:Since this role requires good numerical ability, make sure to highlight any relevant experience with financial systems or MS Excel. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their analytical skills clearly!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of success. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to find all the details you need about the role and our company!
How to prepare for a job interview at CIH International Housing Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Service Charge Officer, you'll need to demonstrate your numerical skills. Brush up on your financial knowledge and be ready to discuss how you would set service charge estimates and reconcile accounts. Practising some sample calculations can really help you feel confident.
✨Understand the Legislation
Make sure you have a solid grasp of the legislation surrounding service charges in the social housing sector. Familiarise yourself with tenancy agreements and leases, as well as any recent changes in laws that could affect your role. This will show your potential employer that you're proactive and knowledgeable.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions during your interview. Think about how you would handle service-related complaints or discrepancies in accounts. Prepare specific examples from your past experience where you've successfully resolved similar issues, as this will highlight your problem-solving skills.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
Customer service is key in this role, so be ready to discuss how you've provided excellent service in previous positions. Think of examples where you've gone above and beyond to assist customers, especially in challenging situations. This will demonstrate your commitment to customer satisfaction.
