Description

Rent Officer

Bromsgrove and Redditch Council

Reference No / Job Title: Rent Officer

Location: Woodrow Housing Services, Woodrow, B98 7RY

Duration: 12-week assignment

Working Hours: 37 hours per week (9:00am - 5:00pm)

Working Pattern: Hybrid - 2 office days (Wednesday & Friday) and 3 days working from home

Rate: £25.50 per hour (Umbrella)

Role Purpose

The post holder will be committed to the Council's Vision and will carry out their work in line with its core values of Pride, People, Purpose and Performance.

This role is responsible for managing rental income across a defined neighbourhood, ensuring effective income collection, tenancy sustainment, and compliance with relevant housing legislation and council policies.

Key Responsibilities

* Manage rental income for a portfolio of properties within a defined neighbourhood.

* Deliver an effective income collection and recovery service in line with legislation, Council policies, performance standards, and customer satisfaction targets.

* Maximise housing revenue by working collaboratively with neighbourhood and tenancy teams, Housing Benefit, DWP, and external partners.

* Promote tenancy sustainment through early intervention, reducing the risk of homelessness and supporting vulnerable tenants.

* Support service development, projects, and initiatives alongside the leadership team.

* Provide guidance, training, and day-to-day support to junior team members.

* Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, including the Housing Acts, Localism Act, Local Government Act, and the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act.

Main Duties

* Maximise rent collection and recover arrears through early intervention and enforcement of tenancy conditions.

* Monitor rent accounts and take prompt action in line with pre-action protocols and rent collection policies.

* Manage sub-accounts for court costs and introductory tenancies, ensuring accurate monitoring and payment transfers.

* Provide advice on housing and welfare benefits to help tenants maximise income.

* Stay up to date with legislative changes, including Welfare Reform, and assess their impact on tenants and the Council.

* Refer vulnerable tenants to appropriate internal and external support services to sustain tenancies.

* Prepare reports on arrears cases, attend court, prepare court papers, and represent the Council in possession proceedings.

* Conduct tenant interviews and home visits to support rent recovery and maintain a strong community presence.

* Create and deliver rent surgeries to promote positive payment behaviour and provide targeted support.

* Work closely with Neighbourhood & Tenancy Officers to deliver coordinated services and maintain accurate IT records.

* Attend tenancy sign-ups and sustainment visits, advising tenants on rent responsibilities and identifying support needs.

* Administer payment methods including online, phone, payment cards, and Direct Debits.

* Support the coaching, training, and development of advisors and apprentices as directed.

* Maintain accurate records to meet statutory and service reporting requirements.

* Monitor performance indicators and report regularly to the Housing Income Team Leader.

* Share knowledge, best practice, and procedural updates with colleagues.

* Liaise with internal departments and external agencies including Housing Benefits, DWP, CAB, solicitors, and the courts.

Eden Brown Synergy is an equal opportunities employer.

Eden Brown Limited is a limited company registered in England and Wales with registered number (phone number removed). Our registered address is 5th floor 4 Coleman Street, London, EC2R 5AR, part of nGAGE Specialist Recruitment Limited T/A nGAGE Talent. Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail. This message is intended solely for the addressee and may contain confidential information. xjnqpsq If you have received this message in error, please send it back to us, and immediately and permanently delete it. Do not use, copy or disclose the information contained in this message or in any attachment. We take reasonable precautions to ensure no viruses are present in this email but cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage sustained as a result of computer viruses and the recipient must ensure that the email (and attachments) are virus free

Ad ID: 5417769098