Tenant Relationship Officer (Internal) in Ipswich

This role is open to full time, part time, and job share applications, all of which will be assessed equally.

This advert is open to Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils employees only

Join our team

We are looking for a proactive and customer-focused Tenant Relationship Officer to join our Housing Solutions and Private Sector Housing Teams.

If you share our values and you are motivated to make a difference for our residents, clients and communities, we would love to hear from you.

About the role

This is an exciting new role that will help the Council respond to the changes introduced through the Renters' Rights Act 2025, supporting tenants and landlords across the private rented sector.

You will work directly with tenants who are experiencing housing difficulties and help prevent homelessness through early intervention, advice and practical support.

You will also work closely with landlords, partner agencies and Council services to sustain tenancies and improve housing outcomes.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing tenancy advice and support to residents at risk of homelessness from the private sector.

• Helping tenants understand their rights and responsibilities under the Renters' Rights Act 2025.

• Supporting households affected by rent increases, possession action, tenancy disputes and housing instability.

• Working with landlords to resolve tenancy issues and prevent tenancy breakdown.

• Maximise compliance with housing legislation through proactive enforcement activity, including the use of Fixed Penalty Notices, contributing to improved housing standards whilst generating income to support the Council's wider private sector housing functions.

• Investigating reports of disrepair, damp, mould and other housing concerns alongside Private Sector Housing colleagues.

• Managing a varied caseload and maintaining accurate case records.

• Identifying safeguarding concerns and making appropriate referrals.

• Supporting landlord engagement, awareness campaigns and training events.
  

About you

We are looking for a housing professional who can demonstrate strong working knowledge and understanding of homelessness prevention and tenancy management within the private rented sector.

To be successful, you will have:

• Understanding of the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and related housing legislation, or the ability to quickly develop specialist knowledge.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with tenants, landlords, colleagues and partner agencies.
• Ability to negotiate, mediate and resolve disputes effectively, achieving positive outcomes for all parties where possible.
• Experience of managing a varied and demanding caseload, prioritising work effectively and meeting deadlines.
• Strong investigative skills, with the ability to gather evidence, assess information and make balanced, defensible decisions.
• Confidence in dealing with challenging situations and vulnerable individuals with professionalism, empathy and resilience.
• Ability to identify safeguarding concerns and take appropriate action in line with legislation and local procedures.
• Good problem-solving skills and the ability to develop practical solutions to complex housing issues.
• Accurate record-keeping and report-writing skills, maintaining high standards of case management.
• Ability to work independently whilst also contributing effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Competent IT skills, including the use of case management systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• Commitment to customer service excellence and improving outcomes for residents.

Desirable Skills and Experience:

• Experience of working in homelessness prevention, housing advice, tenancy sustainment, private sector housing, environmental health or a related field.
• Experience of undertaking enforcement activity and applying regulatory powers in a proportionate and evidence-based manner.
• Knowledge of Fixed Penalty Notices, civil penalties and housing enforcement processes.
• Experience of partnership working with landlords, housing providers, support services, health professionals and voluntary organisations.
• Professional housing qualification or willingness to work towards one.
• Full driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes.

Personal Qualities:

• Empathetic and customer-focused.
• Assertive and confident when challenging poor practice.
• Calm and resilient under pressure.
• Solution-focused and proactive.
• Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Passionate about preventing homelessness and improving housing standards.

About us

At Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils we are passionate about building communities that people want to live, work, visit and invest in.

We serve around 200,000 residents across our two districts and are well known for our collaboration and partnership working across public, private and voluntary sectors.

We believe that the heart of Suffolk is an incredibly special place to live and work, with:

• 60 conservation areas
• two National Landscapes
• many picturesque market towns

It is no surprise we are ranked among the top 50 places to live in the UK (United Kingdom).

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous leave entitlement (26 days a year, rising to 31 days after 5 years).
• Competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Wellbeing Support and Employee Assistance Programs.
• Private Health Care Options.
• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
• Paid volunteering days.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (Business needs permitting).
• Great learning and development opportunities.

For more information, visit our Employee Benefits page.

Our ways of working

We believe work is what we do, not just where we go.

We work in a hybrid way, with a mix of office, home, and remote based working (Business need permitting). Our hybrid working arrangements support flexibility and collaboration, helping our teams to thrive.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, providing opportunity and ambition for all, supporting and enabling our people to deliver the best possible services for our residents.

For more information

For an informal discussion or to learn more about this role, please contact Susannah Farrer by emailingsusannah.farrer@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk

Please read the Job Description and Person Specification.pdfbefore applying for this job opportunity.

Closing date: 5.00pm, 21 October 2026

When applying, please ensure:

• Your statement indicates how you meet each of the criteria in the ‘Person Profile’ section of the Job Description/Person Specification.
• You attach your supporting statement and your CV to your application.
• You use your Babergh and Mid Suffolk email address for your application.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.