_{10th March, 2025}

Rental Income Support Officer
3-6 month contract
37 hours per week
to £34 per hour (Umbrella) dependent on experience
Barking office based

We are currently seeking an experienced Rent and Income specialist from a Social Housing background for our client based in Barking

You will be responsible for managing a patch of properties, maximising rental income of approximately £9m per annum for each of three patches (based on the predicted 2024/25 annual debit). We are seeing an experienced individual with excellent customer care skills to provide successful outcomes including contributing to increasing resident satisfaction and sustaining tenancies.

You will work to conduct all relevant operational and legal processes to ensure current tenant housing rental income is maximised in line with statutory regulations, policy, operational procedures, and performance indicators.

You will work closely with other teams such as the Neighbourhood Teams and working daily with external organisations such as debt advice agencies, credit unions, Law Centres, and other teams.

Manage a patch of rent accounts and be the first point of contact for residents regarding all types of queries ranging from accounts in credit where the resident is requesting a refund through to attending evictions.

Maximise income through early intervention as soon as rent accounts are in arrears with the key emphasis being on personal contact through phone calls and home visits.

Ensure that all cases follow the landlords approved escalation process within procedures and policies for rent arrears. This includes making and monitoring agreements with residents to repay rent arrears. Write bespoke letters to residents as required that demonstrate arrears need repaying alongside demonstrating brilliant customer care that will provide residents with the confidence to make contact to arrange to repay arrears.

Maximise take-up of Universal Credit and lead on identifying cases where exceptional knowledge of Universal Credit (UC) regulations will enable the UC Service Centre to make prompt decisions.

Early intervention work with residents at the point of becoming aware of the Universal Credit claim. 

Visit residents in their homes and complete follow up actions where issues are identified such as repairs and make referrals to other teams to maximise resident satisfaction.

Prepare instructions for the Legal Team regarding possession and stay hearings.

Attend evictions.

Provide early intervention to maximise income and resident satisfaction for residents moving from legacy benefits to Universal Credit.

Identify where residents require referrals to advice agencies and additional support including Social Care. 

Liaise with advocates (such as solicitors) regarding complex possession hearings and stay hearings including sending written replies and preparing consent orders.

Attend court hearings with the Solicitor to be a witness for appropriate cases.

For further information about this role, please contact specialist Social Housing recruiter, Mark Grove, on 0117 923 9100 or apply via this site