Job Summary
Title: Housing Officer
Hours of Work: Part time (20 hours) 9.30am – 3pm,Monday to Thursday with 30 mins lunch.
Annual leave: 17 days leave, plus bank holidays.
Salary: £23,452
Benefits: Nest Pension Scheme.
At FHA, we provide Specialist Supported Housing (SSH), with our tenants at the heart of everything we do.
FHA provides homes for people who need help to live more independently, in their own home. FHA was established in 2017, recognizing that there was a gap in specialist accommodation with wrap around support to cater for vulnerable adults who require more independent living.
As a Registered Provider or SSH, our housing management goes above what traditional Landlords do, ensuring that when tenants have challenging behaviours, we can work with partners to ensure that the tenancy remains sustainable, and the support needed is provided.
We ensure that care and support is provided to our tenants through service level contracts with Care Providers. These partnerships are important for all parties, to ensure that the property is working well and that we can remain focused on the best outcomes and service for tenants.
This is an agile role, working from home balanced against travelling throughout a property portfolio of circa 20 homes, to provide intensive housing management to our tenants. The role will also involve property audits, building positive working relationships with Care Providers and other key stakeholders alongside proactive management around key performance objectives.
The FHA team are at the core of our business, their dedication and hard work enables us to continue to support our tenants to lead independent lives. All staff are passionate about what we do and the difference we make in delivering a positive impact on our tenants' lives.
For all roles, FHA value people with the right skills and behaviours.
To be right for this role, you must have:
· Experience of working in a housing environment.
* Full driving license and use of own vehicle.
* Excellent time management skills.
* Excellent oral and written communication skills.
* A working knowledge of the housing sector and a preferred knowledge of the SSH sector.
* Strong interpersonal skills.
* An excellent planner with good organizational skills.
* Experience of working in a fast-paced customer service environment.
* Flexible and adaptable to change.
* Team player with a positive, can-do attitude.
We are proud of the work we do, not just locally but nationally, to influence now and in the future.
About the role:
We are looking for an experienced Housing Professional who can demonstrate a strong commitment to meeting customer needs and always delivering a high standard of housing management within the Specialised Supported Housing sector. You will have experience in working in a housing environment, effectively maintaining records on digital systems, and have knowledge of applicable housing law. You will be an effective communicator who is able to prioritise tasks and ensure matters are followed through to resolution. You will be our presence in the properties you manage, providing an effective and efficient tenancy management service to our customers. An important aspect of your role will be carrying out property inspections, working with tenants and care providers to ensure our properties are safe.
Reporting into the Housing Manager, you will work as part of an established team to manage the North West property portfolio, providing an intensive housing management service to vulnerable adults.
Key duties and responsibilities
· Providing advice and assistance to tenants in connection with the ability to adhere to their tenancy agreement and manage their tenant arrears.
· Liaising with FHA's Care Provider partners and other stakeholders regarding queries and issues relating to the accommodation provided by FHA.
· Provision of tenancy sustainment services, which comprise short term intervention aimed at helping individual tenants to resolve whatever issues are threatening their tenancy, such as rent arrears, hoarding, antisocial behaviour and un-met support needs.
· Maintaining a record of contact with tenants and other stakeholders.
· Undertaking property visits, inspections and routine checks as required and as per agreed timescales and schedule, recording actions and outcomes accordingly (minimum 2 per property per year.)
· Ensuring referral processes are followed fairly.
· Ensuring right to rent documents are received and ensuring all paperwork is completed and filed prior to any tenancy starting.
· Completing face-to-face tenancy sign ups and scanning and storing documents promptly onto the system.
· Monitoring rent payments and assisting with ensuring any standing orders are set up at sign up.
· Carry out pre-termination and post termination visits to ensure any damages are picked up and to reduce re-let times.
· Proactively manage any tenant arrears cases on your patch.
· The efficient management of void properties to ensure quick re-let with pre and post tenancy visit processes, ensuring repairs are ordered and completed quickly.
· To ensure that accommodation and furnishings are available for new lets. Maintain inventory and agree the condition of accommodation at the point of re-let with the new tenant.
· Issue guidance on fire safety where appropriate. Monitor fire safety issues on periodic visits.
· Take appropriate action to terminate occupancy agreements including serving eviction notices together with the preparation and representation of cases in the county court.
· Assure compliance with Service Level Contracts, Management Agreements and Leases and report as required to partner landlords on housing management performance.
· To be aware of the policies of the Association and ensure they are carried out and that full compliance and good practice is maintained.
· Undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required to meet the changing needs of the organisation.
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: £23,452.00 per year
Expected hours: 20 per week
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Accrington (Lancashire)