Housing Officer - Income Recovery

Housing Officer - Income Recovery

Full-Time 30000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Westmorland And Furness Council

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support tenants in financial difficulties and help recover arrears while providing excellent customer service.
  • Company: Join a supportive team at Westmorland and Furness Council making a real difference in communities.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive pension, enhanced leave, and various perks to support your lifestyle.
  • Why this job: Make a positive impact on lives and strengthen communities through meaningful work.
  • Qualifications: Strong communication skills, experience in income recovery, and empathy for vulnerable individuals.
  • Other info: Flexible environment with opportunities for ongoing learning and professional growth.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.

About this opportunity

Following an exciting restructure of our Housing Team, we are delighted to offer several new opportunities — including this rewarding role within our Housing Landlord Service. If you are someone who is proactive, enthusiastic, and motivated to make a real difference, and you enjoy working with and supporting customers, this could be the perfect role for you. This role sits within our Income Recovery Team. This team plays a crucial role in recovering arrears, often acting as the first point of contact for tenants facing financial difficulties.

The post holder will play a key role in preventing arrears escalation, providing advice, negotiating payment arrangements, and initiating legal action when necessary, including preparing and presenting cases at court in order to recover possession where the above fail. They will also work with other internal and external agencies to ensure sustainable resolutions and prevent the recurrence of arrears.

In this role, you will:

  • Deliver a comprehensive customer‑centred service to tenants to maximise rental income and minimise arrears.
  • Provide advice to Housing tenants to assist in the prevention of housing‑related debt and to promote tenancy sustainment and tenant wellbeing, by being proactive in addressing debt and reactive to queries from customers to achieve a resolution.
  • Liaise with internal colleagues and external services to deliver solutions and remove barriers for the tenant to ensure resolutions are sustainable and to prevent the reoccurrence and escalation of arrears.
  • Represent the Council in taking the necessary legal action to recover possession where this is necessary. This includes preparing cases and completing the relevant paperwork for court in line with policy and the relevant protocols.

Who we are looking for:

  • An excellent communicator on all levels with a strong ability to listen and build effective and meaningful relationships, including developing partnerships with external agencies.
  • Organised and can work to deadlines, prioritising workload to ensure these are met and work is completed effectively.
  • Able to work well as part of a team and foster good working relationships both within and between teams.
  • Possesses excellent IT skills and ability to use IT systems.
  • Knowledgeable about housing services, particularly within social housing and the wider issues that impact on this.
  • Experienced working in a role that involves income recovery or transactional analysis.
  • Experienced in working with vulnerable people with complex needs and able to demonstrate understanding and empathy in delivering a customer‑focused service.

Why Join Us:

  • Play a direct role in improving lives and strengthening communities.
  • Work in a positive, supportive, and flexible environment.
  • Help shape and grow an exciting and impactful service.
  • Access opportunities for ongoing learning and professional development.

Benefits:

Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes.

Housing Officer - Income Recovery employer: Westmorland And Furness Council

At Westmorland and Furness Council, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that values proactive and enthusiastic individuals who are committed to making a difference in the community. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and personal growth, offering ongoing learning opportunities and a range of benefits including a competitive pension scheme and enhanced annual leave. Join us in a role where you can directly impact lives while enjoying a flexible and positive working environment.
Westmorland And Furness Council

Contact Detail:

Westmorland And Furness Council Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Housing Officer - Income Recovery

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the housing sector, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching common questions related to income recovery and housing services. Practice your responses, focusing on your experience with vulnerable people and how you've successfully resolved issues in the past.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your communication skills! During interviews, highlight examples of how you've built relationships with tenants and external agencies. This will demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively and effectively in a team.

✨Tip Number 4

Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team and making a difference in the community.

We think you need these skills to ace Housing Officer - Income Recovery

Customer Service
Income Recovery
Negotiation Skills
Legal Knowledge
Case Preparation
Communication Skills
Relationship Building
Organisational Skills
IT Skills
Knowledge of Housing Services
Empathy
Teamwork
Problem-Solving Skills
Time Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Housing Officer role. Highlight your experience in income recovery and working with vulnerable people, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.

Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves a lot of interaction with tenants and external agencies, emphasise your communication skills. Share examples of how you've built relationships and resolved issues in the past.

Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills: We love candidates who can juggle multiple tasks effectively. In your application, mention how you've managed deadlines and prioritised workloads in previous roles to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity within our Housing Team.

How to prepare for a job interview at Westmorland And Furness Council

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of housing services, especially in social housing. Understand the key issues that affect tenants and be ready to discuss how you can help them navigate financial difficulties.

✨Show Your Empathy

Since this role involves working with vulnerable people, it's crucial to demonstrate your understanding and empathy during the interview. Share examples from your past experiences where you've successfully supported individuals facing challenges.

✨Communicate Clearly

As an excellent communicator, you should practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Prepare to discuss how you would build relationships with tenants and external agencies, and be ready to showcase your listening skills.

✨Be Organised and Proactive

Highlight your organisational skills by discussing how you prioritise workloads and meet deadlines. Be prepared to give examples of how you've taken proactive steps in previous roles to prevent issues before they escalate.

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