Role Overview:

The role of Housing Officer covers lettings allocations and, management of tenancies, including all breaches, Rents and all aspects of estate/housing management. The Housing Officer will work with tenants, internal colleagues, and external partners and Stakeholders to delivering a high-quality service.

Key responsibilities:

Lettings/Allocations

• Managing void properties, lettings, and allocations in an effective manner and closing energy provider accounts and transferring them to company account if required
• Carry out pre-void inspection visits on void properties to ensure the property meets Fold Housing’s standards
• Developing and maintaining effective relationships with the local authority and other stakeholders and agencies
• Interviewing and assessing prospective Tenants and making allocation decisions
• Co-ordinating the viewings of properties with prospective Tenant at interview and sign-up stages
• Delivering pre-tenancy training, advising prospective tenants on their housing rights and responsibilities while being a tenant of Fold Housing.

Rent:

• Advise tenants on rent assessments in line with the tenancy agreement.
• Ensuring income returns and changes of circumstances are processed in a timely and effective manner.
• Arrears monitoring and control including prevention, early warning, in line with Fold Housing rent and arrears policy.
• Taking legal action were appropriate
• Preparing casefiles and representing Fold Housing at RTB
• providing reports when needed by the housing manager

Tenancy management

• Deal with requests for succession or changes to the tenancy in accordance with agreed policies and procedures.
• Dealing with tenancy breaches by firstly offering support to minimise Termination of Tenancy,
• Make full and timely use of the services offered by the Residential Tenancies Board including Mediation and Adjudication when required.
• Manage tenancy Termination/Surrenders to ensure that the outgoing tenant leaves has a clear rent account and the property in satisfactory condition.
• Prepare paperwork for Residential Tenancy Board hearings and to representing Fold Housing at Adjudication Hearings and other legal hearings.
• Regularly visit schemes and record inspections and actions
• Record and identify causes of damage to property and ensure it is remedied
• To maintain accurate current records of all properties, Tenancies, and incidents

Antisocial behaviour (ASB)

• Managing all reports of ASB in line with agreed policies and procedures.
• Work with internal and external partners to try to remedy the ASB before having to commence legal action.
• Make full use of the services offered by the Residential Tenancies Board.
• Prepare paperwork for hearings and represent Fold Housing at mediation/Adjudication Hearings and other legal hearings.
• Give accurate advice and information to Tenants.
• keeping up to date with Best Practice legislative changes.

Repairs

• Liaise with the maintenance/business support officers regarding property and estate responsive, cyclical, and planned maintenance requirements
• Responsible for recharges and agreements.
• Follow up with breach of tenancy where appropriate

Tenant Participation

• Working with the Tenant Engagement officers and tenants to maximise tenant participation.
• Represent Fold Housing at appropriate internal and external meetings.
• Hold tenant meetings on an annual basis.

Organisation

• Maintain all tenant files and data to ensure they are clear, accurate and complete.
• Work to resolve complaints received regarding service delivery by Fold Housing
• Take steps to prevent future complaints.
• Ensure that management are aware of your observations and that they are informed of all important issues that may impact the Business.
• To contribute and review of Housing Departments policies and procedures.
• Develop and maintain relationships with external partners and agencies that have a key role in the effective delivery of housing services, Local Authority, HSE Etc.
• To keep abreast of key legislative which affect your work as a housing officer.
• Produce reports as required on all schemes within your allocated scheme.

Training

• Attend training appropriate to your role as Housing Officer
• To work with your Line Manager to identify your development and learning needs and develop and implement a plan that meets these needs.

Corporate Responsibilities

• Ensure all activity is aligned to Fold Housings core values
• Always adhere to all Fold Housings policies and procedures
• To always exercise discretion and high standards regarding your own health and safety and that of Fold Housing obligations

General

• To positively promote and present a professional image of Fold Housing.
• Any other duties which are consistent with your role as housing officer.

Key competencies required in the role:

• Team Player
• Tenant Centred
• Relationship Building
• Planning and Organisation
• time management
• IT Skills
• Delivery under deadlines

All Fold Housing employees have a personal responsibility to promote and to support measures designed to create a working environment that is free from harassment or discrimination on the grounds of religion, community background, gender, marital status, race, sexual orientation, age or disability.

This job description may be amended to facilitate changes in the organisation, following consultation with the job holder.

Fold Housing is and equal opportunities employer

Housing Officer

Person Specification