Rent & Arrears Officer - Local Authority in Sutton (£22 an hour) Location : Sutton, London Contract Type : Temporary (3 Months) Pay Rate : £22 per hour A local authority in Sutton is seeking a dedicated and proactive Rent & Arrears Officer to join their team on a 3 month contract. If you have experience in debt recovery, customer service, and a good understanding of housing rent collection, we want to hear from you! Key Responsibilities : Assist the Finance Team in debt recovery across the full range of council services. Ensure timely and efficient rent arrears recovery actions, adhering to set procedures, protocols, and best practice guidelines. Manage a variety of housing rent collection tasks, including enforcement processes. Liaise with customers, their representatives, and both internal and external stakeholders to resolve queries and provide advice. Act as a point of contact for suppliers, service users, and other stakeholders, managing enquiries and escalating where necessary. Maintain records and ensure systems are in place for tracking customer contacts. Assist with telephone payment processing in accordance with council procedures. Essential Skills & Experience : 1 year experience in rent recovery or a similar field. Ability to work with data and figures to meet time-driven targets. Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office and finance applications (e.g. SAP, IAS, Capita). Experience working with multiple agencies to deliver customer-focused services. Knowledge of welfare benefits and Universal Credit. An understanding of debt collection and recovery, including relevant legislation and best practices. Excellent communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships. Desirable : Experience working in a customer-focused environment with successful service delivery. Knowledge of financial exclusion and its impact on residents.