Part-Time Rent Recovery Specialist in Essex

Part Time Rent Recovery Officer –Woodford E18An incredible opportunity has arisen for a Rent Recovery Officer to join our Management Department based in Woodford, London E18.Our Client is a unique Letting & Management organisation offering traditional rental services. In addition, the practice is one of London’s most successful Rent Guarantee Service Provision Specialists, procuring all types of property for Local and Central Government to fulfil their Emergency Housing needs.The successful candidate must be dynamic, organized, have excellent people skills, articulate and ambitious.Responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Arrears Management – Monitoring rent accounts regularly to identify early-stage arrears and take prompt, effective recovery action in line with organisational policy.
• Universal Credit Specialism – Providing expert guidance to tenants on making and managing Universal Credit (UC) claims, including assisting with the \”housing element\” to ensure payments are accurate and timely.
• Alternative Payment Arrangements – Identifying high-risk cases and apply for Managed Payments to Landlords (direct rent payments) or third-party deductions for arrears where appropriate.
• Tenancy Sustainment – Conducting detailed affordability assessments and income/expenditure reviews to set up sustainable repayment plans that prevent homelessness.
• Legal Action and Court Representation – Preparing comprehensive evidence for Possession Claims and assist in County Court hearings, seeking possession orders where necessary.
• Liaison and Partnership – Acting as the main point of contact for the local authority Housing Benefit teams to resolve complex payment disputes.
• Eviction Support – Liaising alongside court-appointed bailiffs when recovery efforts fail and legal possession is granted.

The Successful Applicant will need to possess the following skills:

• At least 2 years experience within a similar role.
• Social Housing Experience: Proven track record in rent collection or debt recovery within a local authority or housing association.
• Welfare Reform Expertise: Comprehensive knowledge of the Welfare Reform Act, specifically how UC impacts vulnerable tenants and those on legacy benefits.
• Legal Procedures: Strong understanding of Landlord and Tenant legislation and the Pre-Action Protocol for Rent Arrears.
• Benefit Advocacy: Experience in helping tenants apply for Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) and other hardship funds.
• Negotiation: Ability to have difficult conversations with empathy while remaining firm on repayment targets.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written skills for drafting legal notices, court reports, and communicating complex benefit rules to tenants.
• IT Literacy: Proficient in housing management CRM systems and Microsoft Office.
• Numerical Accuracy: High level of attention to detail for calculating complex arrears balances and manual benefit adjustments.
• Resilient: Capable of managing an emotionally demanding caseload and handling challenging behaviour with professionalism.
• Target-Driven: Motivated by meeting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) related to arrears reduction and collection rates.
• Organised: Skilled at managing multiple priorities and meeting strict legal and administrative deadlines.

The hours will be:Monday – Friday: Flexible Part Time Days & HoursSalary range will be:£15,000 – £22,500 per annum basicCompany Benefits:

• Birthday Holiday Entitlement
• 1.5 days additional holiday entitlement for every 2 years of service (capped at 6 extra days).
• Future company healthcare options
• Bonus & additional earning incentives

If this role is of interest to you and you have the necessary role requirements, please submit your most up to date CV and contact details to Graham Green at Roundpegs Property Recruitment todayDue to the high volume of enquiries that we receive, we are not always able to respond to all CVs. If you have not received a response within one week, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful in this instance. Thank you for your interest in Roundpegs Recruitment. If you are already registered with Roundpegs Recruitment, please express your interest in this role to your consultant.