At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage Right to Buy applications and leasehold aftersales in a busy housing portfolio.
- Company: Join a dynamic London local authority focused on home ownership services.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid work model, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Why this job: Utilise your expertise in a high-profile role that impacts the community.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing or leasehold roles and strong customer service skills required.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and professional development in a supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 23 - 30 £ per hour.
We are partnering with a London local authority to recruit an experienced Homebuy Officer (Leasehold) for their Home Ownership Services team. You will manage a busy caseload of Right to Buy and leasehold aftersales work across a large housing portfolio of leasehold and tenanted homes. This role is ideal for candidates with experience as a Home Ownership Officer, Right to Buy Officer, Leasehold Officer or similar within a local authority or housing association.
Responsibilities
- Progress all Right to Buy (RTB) applications within statutory time frames, including valuations and appeals.
- Administer leasehold aftersales (LAS) processes for alterations, lease extensions, collective enfranchisement and freehold transfers.
- Manage formal Section 42 lease extensions, Section 13 freehold sales and voluntary lease extensions, ensuring all notices are responded to correctly and on time.
- Calculate apportionments for Rent-to-Mortgage and shared ownership leases for the sale of additional shares.
- Work closely with Property Compliance, Legal and Finance teams to ensure Landlord's Consent and legal documentation are aligned.
- Identify and present opportunities for buy-backs, cost savings and revenue generation, and own them through to delivery.
- Draft reports, skeleton reports and briefings on RTB, LAS and legislative or policy changes.
- Support legal colleagues with deeds of postponement and transfers of equity.
- Manage all incoming calls and emails to the Homebuy phoneline and group mailbox, responding to routine and non-routine queries and complaints.
- Maintain accurate customer accounts, records and databases, and contribute to improvements in systems, processes and standard documentation.
- Represent the service at meetings, surgeries, roadshows and open days, including occasional evenings and weekends.
- Support and, where appropriate, deputise for the Homebuy Team Leader.
About you - essential
- Experience reading and interpreting legal documents and texts (ideally in housing/leasehold).
- Experience working to and achieving challenging targets and statutory deadlines.
- Strong customer service skills, with experience of dealing with challenging customers.
- Good knowledge of affordable housing and home ownership products (e.g. Right to Buy, shared ownership, leasehold).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to explain complex information clearly.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy in calculations and documentation.
- Confident IT user with good MS Office and general ICT skills.
- Highly organised, able to prioritise workload, work independently and as part of a team.
Desirable
- Experience in a commensurate housing or leasehold role within a local authority or housing association.
- Housing-related qualification (IRPM, CIH or similar) or working towards this.
Offer
- £23 per hour PAYE / circa £30 per hour Umbrella.
- London-based hybrid role - minimum 3 days in the office/on site.
- Opportunity to use your Right to Buy and leasehold expertise in a large, high-profile London local authority setting.
To apply, please submit your CV as soon as possible. Shortlisting and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.
Home Buy Officer (Leasehold) employer: The Bloomsbury
Contact Detail:
The Bloomsbury Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Home Buy Officer (Leasehold)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the ins and outs of the Right to Buy process. Brush up on your knowledge about leasehold properties and the specific requirements for applications. This will help you stand out in interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former Homebuy Officers on LinkedIn or at local housing events. They can provide insider tips and might even give you a heads-up about job openings before they're advertised.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or family member. Focus on articulating your experience with challenging customers and how you've met tight deadlines. Being able to share specific examples will make you more memorable to interviewers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Home Buy Officer (Leasehold)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in home ownership and leasehold roles. Use keywords from the job description to show we’re on the same page about what you bring to the table.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; give examples of how you've used them in past roles. Whether it’s managing caseloads or dealing with challenging customers, we want to see how you’ve made an impact.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your points are easy to understand. Remember, we want to know what you can do for us!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands quickly. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Bloomsbury
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Right to Buy and leasehold processes. Familiarise yourself with the relevant legislation and be ready to discuss how you've applied this in previous roles. This will show that you're not just a good fit, but that you genuinely understand the complexities of the job.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
Prepare examples of how you've handled challenging customer situations in the past. The role requires strong customer service skills, so think about times when you've gone above and beyond to resolve issues or improve customer satisfaction. This will demonstrate your ability to manage difficult interactions effectively.
✨Be Organised and Detail-Oriented
Since the role involves managing a busy caseload and ensuring accuracy in documentation, come prepared to discuss your organisational strategies. Share specific methods you use to prioritise tasks and maintain attention to detail, as this will highlight your suitability for the position.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
Given the need for excellent written and verbal communication, consider practising how you would explain complex information clearly. You might even want to prepare a brief explanation of a leasehold process or Right to Buy application to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively during the interview.