Purpose
Provide excellent tenancy sustainment support ensuring tenancies in the private rented sector are sustained to provide safe and secure housing for our customers whilst meeting local and corporate objectives.
To provide high quality advice, lettings and tenancy sustainment service that maximises the number of homeless households who are able to move successfully into good quality, affordable private rented accommodation for clients from various services such as HOC, CYP and NRTPF.
To promote the use of the private rented sector as a viable alternative to social rented housing, in order to encourage independence, prevent homelessness, provide settled housing solutions and reduce the use of temporary accommodation.
Responsibilities
Work effectively within the private sector to increase the supply of good quality accommodation for households in housing need to meet individual and team targets.
Assess prospective customer's suitability for private rented accommodation by reviewing their housing history, making enquiries into their financial situation, and establishing whether or not they are able to meet the rent and comply with the tenancy conditions.
Undertake accompanied viewings with prospective customers and provide them with expert advice and guidance on all aspects of letting (including housing benefit and the conditions of tenancy) in order to help them make informed decisions.
Ensure all private rented sector accommodation procured is of the size, type and location required by prospective customer, complies with all health and safety & planning regulations and is in compliance with the location priority policy.
To act as the first point of contact for landlords and tenants who are experiencing difficulties in sustaining tenancies, including acting as a negotiator and or mediator between disputing parties to resolve contractual issues to ensure compliance with the legal framework to sustain tenancies.
Ensure customers are settled into their private rented sector accommodation and fully made aware local services such as doctor's surgeries, schools, police station, CAB office, dentist surgeries etc.
To understand, and keep up to date with local and national policies affected by legislation with regard to welfare reforms and housing.
Ensure all properties are maintained to a high standard investigate persistent disrepair complaints and/or to take property inventories for those properties accessing the incentive and or bond scheme.
Be responsible for ensuring all landlords and tenants comply with their respective contractual agreements.
Work effectively and efficiently with colleagues within the service, across other departments and external agencies to deliver and excellent customer focused service meeting individual, team, service and corporate targets & KPIs.
Ensure that all payments, including deposits and cash incentives are properly recorded, monitored and, where appropriate, recovered from the landlord, accommodation supplier or tenant in accordance with the contractual agreements and the financial regulations.
Deliver a stream lined high quality customer focused service ensuring telephone calls, emails, letters and complaints are fully responded to promptly and to the highest possible standard in compliance with corporate guidelines or as instructed by the service manager.
Knowledge
Excellent current knowledge of private rented sector housing market and contracts, particularly the issues affecting private rented sector customers and landlords.
A good knowledge and understanding of the government's welfare reform and its implications on the private rented sector.
Knowledge of private sector housing law, health and safety rating system and other health and safety regulations (gas , electrics and energy efficiency) and legislation relating to the letting of private sector tenancies.
Knowledge of the services provided for households who are in housing need.
General knowledge of good property standards and common building problems.
An awareness of the financial implications of decisions and an understanding of the importance of prioritising value for money.
Skills
Ability to work as part of a team and take initiative with own cases.
Ability to promote and develop effective joint working practices across services.
Ability to work with private sector partners and respond to the needs of that market as well as understanding how that fits with the requirement to meet housing need.
Commitment to the promotion of a homeless prevention approach.
Flexible, problem-solving approach to service delivery with a positive attitude to change and ability to identify opportunities and develop innovative housing solutions.
Ability to maintain databases and work effectively with IT systems.
Ability to meet performance targets and deliver positive outcomes.
Required
Must have Basic DBS.
Experience of effectively working with landlords, letting agents and other accommodation suppliers.
Experience of working with people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, in housing need and/or living in unsatisfactory housing.
Experience of providing an excellent level of customer care and customer service in a comparable customer service environment.
Experience of working effectively with private sector landlords and/or within a homelessness context.
Experience of prioritising competing demands in a pressurised environment, recognize service priorities and manage a caseload within agreed targets.
Experience of successfully developing initiatives and schemes to provide housing opportunities for people in housing need.
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Type: Contract Location: Lewisham, England
Salary / Rate: £18 - £19 per hour
Posted: 2025-04-28 11:49:49
We are looking for skilled a officer who is competent, enthusiastic and highly motivated to fill the below posts within our Environmental Protection Team
Your duties will include investigation and response to complaints in relation to allegations of statutory nuisance, assess and approve s.61 applications, permitting and responding licensing consultations.
You must have working knowledge and understanding of the nuisance provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, knowledge of Licensing legislation and have excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
Purpose of the role
To protect and improve health by the discharge of the functions and duties in one of the specialist areas of activity within Environmental Health.
To investigate, assess and act upon complex issues relating to Environmental Protection, Housing and Commercial issues and determine the most appropriate course of action.
Including preparation of cases for enforcement action and instigation of legal proceedings.
To provide technical evidence in court proceedings, tribunals and Public Inquiries.
To carry out inspections and enforcement work in within the specialist areas.
To provide advice and training for EH Technical Officers and in some cases taking the lead for cases.
To report directly to the Head of Section/Deputy Director, Members and Members of Parliament where required.
To liaise effectively with members of the public, businesses, other departments and other agencies.
The officer is expected to work on their own with minimal direct supervision and will support the team manager.
To support and participate in proactive initiatives to improve service standards and the quality of life for people living and working in Bexley.
To deputise for the Team Leader and make decisions on his/her behalf when required.
Responsibilities
To protect and improve health by the discharge of the functions and duties in one of the specialist areas of activity within Environmental Health.
To investigate, assess and act upon complex issues relating to Environmental Protection, Housing and Commercial issues and determine the most appropriate course of action.
Including preparation of cases for enforcement action and instigation of legal proceedings.
To provide technical evidence in court proceedings, tribunals and Public Inquiries.
To carry out inspections and enforcement work in within the specialist areas.
To provide advice and training for EH Technical Officers and in some cases taking the lead for cases.
To report directly to the Head of Section/Deputy Director, Members and Members of Parliament where required.
To liaise effectively with members of the public, businesses, other departments and other agencies.
The officer is expected to work on their own with minimal direct supervision and will support the team manager.
To support and participate in proactive initiatives to improve service standards and the quality of life for people living and working in Bexley.
To deputise for the Team Leader and make decisions on his/her behalf when required.
To present timely and relevant advice and information to Members and to ensure that Team Leaders/Managers are briefed on major and sensitive issues.
To be fully conversant with relevant statutory provisions and the constitution, processes and procedures; to develop the full range of managerial and professional skills and knowledge to satisfy the requirements of the post.
To establish and develop effective working relationships and productive partnerships with all the relevant partners, including those in e.g.
Police and other regulatory agencies, housing providers, Independent and voluntary section.
Essential
Officers would be expected to have a minimum of three years' working in Environmental Health as an RSO or equivalent that is relevant to the job and meet the requirements below:
Knowledge of major legislative, social and economic issues relevant to the job.
Experience of using ICT packages e.g.
Word, Excel and the complaint management system
Officers would be expected to be able to deal with a range of cases, including work carried out by an EHO.
Proven ability to deal with complex and difficult cases.
Understanding of supporting legislation/best practice.
Experience of managing own case load.
Experience of serving notices, drafting prosecution files and attending court.
Ability to travel throughout the Borough.
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Type: Contract Location: Lewisham, England
Salary / Rate: £19 - £20 per hour
Posted: 2025-04-04 21:24:38