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, flexible working, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on inclusion and diversity.
- 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.
- Advertising and marketing empty properties, shortlisting applicants and co-ordinating pre moving out visits.
- 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.
- Ensuring income is maximised through rent and service charges payments in advance, by providing customers with all the information they need and ensuring 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 Sussex 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 customer excellence, our inclusive work culture fosters collaboration and personal growth, offering a range of benefits such as flexible working, career development opportunities, and a supportive environment where diversity is celebrated. Join us in providing safe and affordable homes, and experience a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lettings Officer in Sussex
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Southern Housing. Understand our values and how we operate. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of our team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Think about the key skills mentioned in the job description, like communication and problem-solving. Prepare examples from your past experiences that demonstrate these skills. We want to see how you handle real-life situations!
✨Tip Number 3
Dress the part! First impressions matter, so make sure you look professional and feel confident. A smart outfit can boost your confidence and show that you take the opportunity seriously.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your appreciation for the opportunity and keeps you fresh in the interviewer's mind. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role!
We think you need these skills to ace Lettings Officer in Sussex
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 showcasing your interpersonal skills through examples in your supporting statement.
Address the Criteria Head-On:Take a good look at the six criteria mentioned in the job description. In your supporting statement, directly address each one with real-life examples. This will show us that you understand what we’re looking for and how you fit the bill.
Keep It Professional Yet Personal:While it’s important to maintain professionalism, don’t forget to let your personality shine through. We want to see who you are beyond your qualifications, so feel free to share your passion for housing and helping residents in your application.
Apply Early Through Our Website:Don’t wait until the last minute! We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible through our website. This way, you’ll ensure your application gets reviewed before the closing date, especially since we might close early if we get a lot of applications.
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 connect with people.
✨Be Ready to Problem Solve
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Prepare scenarios where you've had to handle crisis situations or overcome challenges, focusing on how you prioritised the needs of residents while achieving business goals. This will showcase your resilience and determination.
✨Tailor Your Supporting Statement
Your supporting statement is crucial! Make sure it directly addresses how you meet each of the six criteria listed in the job description. Use real examples from your experience to illustrate your skills and achievements, ensuring you align your answers with the values and expectations of Southern Housing.
