At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage housing services for 400 homes, ensuring tenant support and effective service delivery.
- Company: Join Portsmouth Homes, a leader in social housing with a focus on community and tenant satisfaction.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives by supporting tenants in their homes and communities.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and ability to manage diverse priorities in a dynamic environment.
- Other info: Be part of a transformative programme in the social housing sector.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Housing Officer – Portsmouth, PO12AL, United Kingdom
Job Category: HousingRegion / Division: UK RegionLocation: PortsmouthWorking Hours: 37
About Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.
We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals. Learn more about our values and behaviours .
Job introduction
This is a fantastic opportunity to join Portsmouth Homes as a Housing Officer and make a real difference These are full-time roles (37 hours per week Monday to Friday) and we have permanent vacancies available as well as a Fixed Term Contract/Secondment for 9 months and a Fixed Term Contract/Secondment for 9 months. Please clearly state in your application which post/s you are applying for.
Your new role
The Social Housing Sector has seen considerable change in the last 2 years with the addition of new and revised regulations including a new set of consumer standards. Portsmouth Homes is undertaking a programme of change to respond to the new environment and changes in expectations from our tenants and leaseholders . The Housing Officer role can be complex and requires the ability to work with changing priorities and be flexible in approach.
This role is responsible for the effective and efficient delivery of housing management services to a dedicated patch serving approximately 400 homes. The role provides generic housing management services including anti-social behaviour management, arrears management including debt and benefit advice, void management and lettings and general tenancy management ensuring income maximisation, efficient letting of homes and that tenants receive great customer service throughout their tenancy.
The Housing Officer role is a fully generic role delivering a comprehensive housing management service to a cohort of Portsmouth Homes tenants. The role is predominantly reactive, to help support and empower tenants to be able to sustain and maintain their tenancies and live their best lives, whilst feeling safe and secure in their homes and communities . Responsibility starts with the viewing of an empty property, with prospective tenants, and the need to ensure that the property meets their Housing Need and is suitable in terms of other factors. Support is provided at the beginning of a new tenancy, ensuring that the new tenants understand their legal obligations and expectations of them as a tenant and good neighbour .
The Housing Officer then supports the tenant and their household in managing and sustaining their tenancy throughout its life, dealing with tenancy enforcement, including Anti-Social Behaviour, Money and Debt Advice and Income Collection, changes to personal circumstances and household makeup, and termination of tenancy or dealing with deceased estates. The role is a generic cradle to grave tenancy management service.
A Housing Officer must be multi-disciplined, with a high degree of responsibility, expectation and complexity, and the need to be able to manage conflicting priorities and react positively in crisis and chaotic situations. The Housing Officer will work closely with the Local Housing Manager to track and manage demand into the patch contributing to performance data where appropriate and using all tools available to inform priorities for each working day and to plan time and work ahead, where possible. The Housing Officer is the main relationship manager with Portsmouth Homes Tenants and will act as the link between the tenant and other services as needed. The ability to keep pertinent and accurate records of all interactions with tenants on the tenancy record is essential ensuring that Portsmouth Homes maintains accurate data on its tenants and homes.
Please see the full job profile attached at the bottom of this page for all details of the role, responsibilities and the person we are looking for
Our recruitment process
Full information about our recruitment process can be found on our support for applicants\’ page: Support for applicants – Careers portal
You must demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points described in the \’Who is the Person\’ points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had. If you apply without a detailed personal statement, it is unlikely that you will be successful.
Please note we reserve the right to close the advert early if we have a large number of applications.
Previous applicants need not apply.
We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion – Careers portal
Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact or call the recruitment team on .
If applying as a secondment you will need permission from your current line manager releasing you for this secondment. Please state you have this on your personal statement on the application.
You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.
Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our career\’s portal homepage: Careers Portal – Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council
Housing Officer employer: Portsmouth City Council
Contact Detail:
Portsmouth City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, do a bit of digging on Portsmouth Homes. Check out their website and social media to understand their values and how they interact with tenants. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Think about common interview questions for a Housing Officer role, like how you'd handle anti-social behaviour or support new tenants. Practising your responses can help you feel more confident and articulate during the actual interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your people skills! As a Housing Officer, you'll be dealing with a variety of tenants and situations. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed relationships or resolved conflicts in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to connect with tenants and provide great customer service.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch that shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Housing Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Housing Officer role. We want to see how you can deliver effective housing management services and support tenants in their journey.
Showcase Your Customer Service Skills: Since providing great customer service is key, share examples of how you've successfully managed relationships or resolved issues in previous roles. We love to see candidates who can connect with tenants and make a positive impact!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your passion for helping tenants shines through without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Portsmouth City Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Familiarise yourself with the latest regulations and consumer standards in the social housing sector. Being able to discuss these changes confidently will show that you're proactive and well-informed, which is crucial for a Housing Officer.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As a Housing Officer, you'll be managing relationships with tenants and other services. Prepare examples of how you've successfully handled difficult situations or provided excellent customer service in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to connect with people and manage conflicts.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in real-life situations, like dealing with anti-social behaviour or supporting tenants with debt advice. Think through your approach to these scenarios beforehand, so you can articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Organisational Skills
The role requires managing multiple priorities and keeping accurate records. Be prepared to discuss how you stay organised and manage your time effectively, perhaps by sharing tools or methods you use to keep track of tasks and deadlines.