Job details
Job reference REQ00000019888 Date posted 16/04/2026 Application closing date 03/05/2026 Location Barrow Salary £36,363- £37,280 Package Blank Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time Attachments Blank
Housing Officer - Income Recovery - WMF2881e
Location: Barrow
Contract Type: Permanent
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 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. The 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 prevent arrears escalation, provide advice, negotiate payment arrangements, and initiate legal action when necessary, including preparing and presenting cases at court in order to recover possession where required. 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, promote tenancy sustainment and tenant wellbeing, and react to queries to achieve a resolution.
* Liaise with internal colleagues and external services to deliver solutions, remove barriers, and ensure sustainable resolutions for tenants.
* Represent the council in taking necessary legal action to recover possession where required, including preparing cases and completing relevant paperwork for court in line with policy.
Who we are looking for
* 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 able to work to deadlines, prioritise workload to ensure these are met and work is completed effectively.
* Team‑oriented and able to 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.
What we can offer you
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 discount schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site.
Whilst this post is based in Barrow, you must have the ability to travel efficiently around the Westmorland and Furness area to conduct visits and attend meetings.
Please note that the postholder will be required to work from the office location in Barrow in Furness to carry out this role.
Safer recruitment & DBS
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expect all workers to share our commitment.
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and requires a standard DBS check.
Note: this role involves working with regulated activity with adults and/or children. It is an offence for people barred from working in regulated activity to apply for roles that require unsupervised work with adults and/or children.
Equality, diversity, and inclusion
Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and work to promote an inclusive, supportive culture that values and celebrates our differences.
As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria of this job are guaranteed an interview. We also offer guaranteed interviews to armed forces personnel, veterans, and those in care or cared for, and under 24 years old, that meet the essential criteria for the role.
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