At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Housing team as a Lettings Officer, delivering excellent customer service and managing empty homes.
- Company: Southern Housing, one of the largest housing providers in the UK.
- Benefits: Pension, healthcare cash plan, birthday leave, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives by providing affordable housing solutions.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills, ability to meet targets, and some understanding of lettings processes.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
Secondment/FTC until September 2027
Are you looking for a role that gives you the opportunity to use your excellent communication and organisational skills every day? Come and join our Housing team here at Southern Housing as a Lettings Officer on a secondment until September 2027. In this role, you will work in collaboration with regional Housing and repair colleagues to deliver customer excellence, providing a performance-driven, customer-focused empty homes and lettings service, which maximises our income, minimises our revenue losses and allocates and occupies our empty homes quickly.
You will deliver a service in line with our policies and procedures and to the agreed performance standards in a professional, empathetic, polite, courteous, and safe and efficient manner. Part of your responsibilities will include providing an effective lettings service and achieving high customer satisfaction in line with our policies and procedures, maintaining administration systems with accurate records and preparing regular returns and reports as and when required.
You will be advertising and marketing empty properties, shortlisting applicants and co-ordinating pre-moving out visits as well as liaising with regional and other internal teams to ensure properties becoming void are processed as quickly as possible ensuring repairs and safety checks are completed in the minimum time, and within agreed targets. In addition, you will ensure income is maximised through rent and service charges payments in advance, by providing customers with all the information they need and ensure all identification documentation is provided prior to tenancy start date, undertaking relevant eligibility assessments as appropriate.
What you'll need:
- Ability to communicate effectively and concisely, displaying good interpersonal skills in multiple modes (phone, face-to-face, emails and in writing) using customer-friendly language
- Ability to meet targets and deadlines, prioritise workloads and work under pressure showing persistence and determination when setbacks occur
- Some experience or understanding of Local authority waiting lists and choice-based lettings schemes
- Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders
- Ability to learn and effectively use multiple IT and communication systems
- A good problem solver with an ability to handle crisis situations focusing on the needs of the residents and the business
In your supporting statement, it is important that you address how you meet each of the above six criteria providing real examples.
Closing date: 4th June. Interview dates: 8th and 9th June 2026. Please note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application and supporting statement as soon as possible so your application can be reviewed and considered.
About us
At Southern Housing, our residents are at the heart of everything we do. As one of the largest housing providers in the UK with over 77,000 homes across London, the Southeast, the Isle of Wight, and the Midlands, we give over 167,000 people somewhere affordable to call their own! We also understand the difference that safe, secure, and affordable homes can make to people's lives. A career at Southern Housing will allow you to make a difference every day you come to work. Working in the housing sector with us will bring fresh challenges and give you the opportunity to grow and develop, too.
What's in it for you:
- Pension
- Life assurance
- Healthcare cash plan
- Eyecare & dental
- Birthday leave
- Retailers discounts
- Cycle to work
- Buy & sell annual leave
- Season ticket loan
- In-house academy & career development
- Flexible working
Inclusion and Diversity
We work hard to create a diverse and inclusive culture and environment where people are respected for who they are. Encouraging inclusion is not just about protected characteristics, it's about celebrating differences of thought, opinion, experience and perspective of each individual. We're all different in our own way and we want our colleagues to feel comfortable, that they belong, and are safe to be themselves at work, without fear of being judged or excluded, but valued for their contribution to our One Team approach.
Lettings Officer in Crawley employer: Southern Housing
Southern Housing is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its employees while making a meaningful impact in the community. With a strong focus on inclusion and diversity, we foster a supportive work culture where your contributions are valued, and you can grow through various career development opportunities. Located across London and the Southeast, our team enjoys a range of benefits including flexible working, healthcare plans, and a commitment to creating a safe and respectful environment for all.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lettings Officer in Crawley
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Southern Housing and understand their values and mission. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since this role requires excellent interpersonal skills, try role-playing common interview questions with a friend or family member. This will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare real examples! Think of specific situations where you've demonstrated the skills mentioned in the job description, like problem-solving or working under pressure. Having these examples ready will make you stand out during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows that you’re proactive and keen on joining our team at Southern Housing. Don’t wait too long, though – the closing date is coming up!
We think you need these skills to ace Lettings Officer in Crawley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since this role is all about effective communication, make sure your application reflects that. Use clear and friendly language, and don’t shy away from sharing examples of how you've successfully communicated in different situations.
Tailor Your Supporting Statement:When writing your supporting statement, directly address the six criteria mentioned in the job description. Use real-life examples to demonstrate how you meet each one – this will show us you’re the right fit for the Lettings Officer role.
Keep It Professional Yet Personable:While it’s important to maintain professionalism, don’t forget to let your personality shine through. We want to see the real you, so feel free to express your passion for helping residents and making a difference in their lives.
Apply Early!:Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the vacancy early if we get a lot of applications, so get yours in as soon as possible through our website to ensure it gets reviewed!
How to prepare for a job interview at Southern Housing
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of a Lettings Officer and the specific responsibilities mentioned in the job description. Familiarise yourself with local authority waiting lists and choice-based lettings schemes, as this knowledge will show your commitment and readiness for the role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since effective communication is key in this role, prepare examples that demonstrate your interpersonal skills. Think about times when you've successfully communicated with customers or colleagues, whether face-to-face, over the phone, or via email. Use these examples to highlight your ability to convey information clearly and empathetically.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Be ready to discuss situations where you've had to solve problems under pressure. Think of specific instances where you handled a crisis or resolved a conflict, focusing on how you prioritised the needs of residents while achieving business goals. This will show your potential employer that you're capable of handling the challenges that come with the role.
✨Prepare Your Supporting Statement
Your supporting statement is crucial, so ensure it directly addresses the six criteria listed in the job description. Use real examples from your experience to illustrate how you meet each requirement. This not only shows that you’ve read the job description thoroughly but also gives you a chance to stand out by demonstrating your relevant skills and experiences.
