Job Description
Housing Officer
Salary up to £44619 (3 month temporary contract - could get extended)
Motherwell
Free Parking
Oliver Smith Recruitment are working in partnership with our key client in Motherwell to recruit a Housing Officer on a 3 month temporary contract.
This role will report directly to the Senior Revenue Officer and will provide a comprehensive housing management service to customers in relation to Debt Recovery and Tenancy Sustainment.
Duties:
Debt Management
- Have a working knowledge of the legal framework for arrears control and have an awareness of the current Welfare Benefit system.
- Maximise rental income by checking accounts on a regular basis and taking action in line with the Associations arrears policies and procedures.
- Ensure actions completed timeously and recorded appropriately.
- Liaise with local Authority Housing Benefit Departments and the Department of Work and Pensions to assist customers in maximising their income.
- Establish contact with customers and work with them to agree realistic and sustainable re-payment arrangements. Record all communications and actions accurately and ensuring GDPR compliance whenever information requests received.
- Keep accurate records, instruct legal action where necessary. Take action in line with pre-action requirements.
- Ensure court instructions are authorised and prepared accurately- liaise with the Association's Solicitors during action.
- Prepare bad debt cases for write off in accordance with policy and procedure.
- Refer customers to appropriate third sector agencies for help and advice.
- Have a pro-active approach to encouraging customers to engage. Provide support to customers and work to prevent legal action.
- Maximise take up of benefits by providing advice and information concerning Housing Benefit and other benefits, assisting with the completion of applications and verification of income where appropriate.
- Liaise with the Association's Income Maximisation Officer and as appropriate with Local Authority Housing Benefit colleagues and DWP
- Carry out any other relevant duty as may be determined from time to time by the Senior Housing Officer and Housing Manager.
Tenancy Sustainment
- Work closely with the wider Housing Team to identify possible sustainment issues and work with customers towards solutions.
- Communicate effectively with external agencies and signpost effectively and appropriately to maximise income and minimise debt.
- Adopt a holistic approach to debt management- try to identify underlying issues and vulnerabilities which contribute to customer's debt and facilitate appropriate intervention.
- Participate in case conferences and work with others to seek alternatives to eviction.
Interviews will be held ASAP at our clients HQ.
Housing Officer in Motherwell employer: Tideri
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