The role
We’re offering an exciting opportunity to play a vital role in managing and maximising the use of Southwark’s extensive portfolio of over 7,000 garages, car parks, and other non-residential units. As a Lettings Officer (Garages), you’ll be at the heart of making sure these spaces are efficiently let and well maintained, helping reduce void times, increase income, and ensure that our residents and clients receive an excellent service.
You’ll manage the full lifecycle of non-residential lettings, from advertising and sign-ups to inspections and enforcement. This includes managing waiting lists, inspecting properties, monitoring licence compliance, and liaising with repairs teams to ensure timely turnaround of voids. Your work will involve on-the-ground engagement with residents and licensees, as well as joint inspections and community consultation, keeping communication clear and ensuring high standards are upheld across your patch.
With a strong focus on customer service and operational delivery, you’ll be a key face of the service, advising applicants, coordinating with internal teams and stakeholders. Your role will directly impact the experience of thousands of residents and contribute to a well-managed, income-generating portfolio.
Why this role is a standout opportunity?
1. Visible Impact, Community Benefit: Help transform underused spaces into valuable assets that support local needs and generate income for frontline services.
2. Lead Your Own Patch: Enjoy the autonomy to manage lettings from end to end - inspecting sites, resolving issues, and driving performance across your portfolio.
3. Modern Tools, Meaningful Work: Use digital systems like MySouthwark to enhance the customer experience while working in a service rooted in purpose, place, and pride.
Key responsibilities:
4. Manage the lettings process for over 7,000 garages, parking spaces, and non-residential units to minimise voids and maximise income.
5. Maintain and update waiting lists, ensuring fair and efficient allocation in line with lettings policy.
6. Carry out inspections of voids, identify repairs, and coordinate with contractors to ensure quick turnarounds.
7. Enforce licence agreements, investigate breaches, and take appropriate action, including legal processes where required.
8. Support customers through digital platforms like MySouthwark, promoting self-service and improving the online experience.
9. Represent the service at meetings and resident forums, providing clear advice, updates, and consultation on local lettings matters.
What you’ll bring to the role:
10. Experience in letting non-residential units (e.g. garages, stores) and managing parking schemes
11. Strong knowledge of tenancy and licence management, lettings standards, and repairs processes
12. Proven ability to manage void turnarounds and reduce lettings times
13. Confident in enforcing licence terms, resolving breaches, and handling legal processes
14. Excellent communication skills - written, verbal, and report writing
15. Ability to manage your own workload, prioritise effectively, and meet performance targets
16. Comfortable working with digital systems and supporting customers with online tools
17. A strong understanding of health & safety, equalities, and lone working practices
Why Southwark?
Southwark Council is the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues such as The Shard, The Tate Modern and Borough Market along with many social enterprises and we have a young, diverse, and growing population.
At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals, and attend our universities.
Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice, and inequality) underpins all that we do.
Additional details
We have two posts available: x1 permanent and x1 fixed term contract for 12 months. If you have a preference, please indicate this clearly on your application form.
Full time, 36 hours per week. Please note, this role requires working from the office and on-site across the borough, Monday to Friday.
Please note, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK without restrictions.
Employee benefits:
You’ll join a motivated, driven, and supportive team that values each of its members and strives for excellence. You’ll also be part of a successful, high-achieving service making a real difference to the lives of residents across the borough. In return for all your hard work, skills and experience, you will receive:
18. A competitive base salary (pro rata for part time staff)
19. Strong supportive senior management team
20. Regular one to one supervision
21. Professional development & training opportunities
22. Clear career development pathways
23. Agile and flexible working arrangements
24. Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
25. Season ticket and cycle loans
26. Annual Leave starting at 27 days per year, increasing to 35 (with length of service) (pro rata for part time staff)
27. Wellbeing programme
28. HSF Health plan and eye care scheme
29. EAP employee assistance programme, confidential counselling and support
30. Social clubs and staff groups
Guaranteed Interview Scheme:
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
31. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
32. Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
33. If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition.