Accommodation Officer

LB Hillingdon - Accommodation Officer

Are you a Accommodation Officer looking for your next assignment? LB Hillingdon are currently looking to recruit multiple Accommodation Officer to join their team on a contract basis, please see below.

1. Resident & Community Contribution

• To ensure that the resident voice is heard and translated into tailored offers.
• Collaborate with other services and agencies to provide comprehensive support to residents.
• Support the provision of an efficient, effective and resident focused service to customers.
• To support, coach and empower residents to independently assess and manage their own housing situation and make informed choices.

2. People Management

• No direct supervisory responsibility however there may be a requirement to assist in the induction and training of peers and new employees.

3. Operational Service Delivery

• To work as part of a team in delivering day-to-day activities of the Accommodation Team.
• Ensure the swift and lawful allocation of housing (TA & PRS). Explain the implications of not accepting a property.
• Ensure all housing offers (TA & PRS) comply with the statutory homelessness framework.
• Serve as the primary contact, offering advice and resolving enquiries and complaints from landlords, managing agents, and tenants through daily operations and dedicated communication channels.
• Work closely with the Accommodation Project Officer to process payments to PRS and TA providers efficiently and promptly.
• Manage all duties related to the handover of leased TA and PRS housing.
• Assist in the negotiation with landlords and managing agents to minimise dilapidation claims and process payments when necessary.
• Provide accurate and relevant housing, welfare, and homelessness advice and support.
• Ensure all PRS and TA schemes comply with national and local standards, addressing any non-compliance issues promptly.
• Assist in the effective management of void and relet processes.
• Attend property viewings with residents as directed by the Accommodation Manager.
• Co-ordinate in collaboration with residents the storage and removal services as needed.
• Co-ordinate with suppliers to arrange key collection and access for sign-up, or S188 duty discharge if necessary.
• Work with Legal Services and other departments to handle disrepair complaints and claims, minimising costs.
• Conduct proactive, planned inspections of TA and PRS housing, ensuring all necessary actions are completed to the required standard.
• Perform reactive, ad hoc inspections of TA and PRS housing, ensuring all necessary actions are completed.
• Work closely with the Accommodation Manager to address tenancy issues such as under/over/non-occupation, rent arrears, ASB, hoarding, disrepair, etc.
• Work closely with the Accommodation Manager to manage TA and PRS housing, ensuring residents comply with their agreements and taking prompt remedial action as needed.

4. Service Planning & Development

• Contribute to the annual Team Plan, aligned to the Group / Service Plan(s), that sets out clear objectives and priorities for the team.
• Input actively to any Service Level Agreements (SLAs) covering all aspects of service delivery, including performance and response levels.
• Take part in training, development and service planning activities.
• Develop, maintain, in-depth knowledge of Housing Needs and Homelessness both through self led learning and formal and informal training opportunities.
• Engage in personal and team development through 1 1s, appraisals, team meetings, and performance reviews.
• Support and champion the implementation of changes to service delivery.
• Identify and act on potential efficiency savings to drive continuous service improvement.

5. Financial & Resource Management

• Deliver against allocated budgets and MTFS saving targets.
• Recognise the potential for transferring costs and liabilities onto other services and respond by adapting and tailoring support to contain pressures.
• Be financially conscious and ensure that spending and resources are managed efficiently. This includes managing time, avoiding unnecessary waste, to reduce financial impact.

6. Service Improvement

• Actively participate in the implementation of improvement initiatives and change programmes using the Council's project management, service improvement methodologies and operating model.
• Adopt continuous improvement whilst undertaking role functions.
• Contribute to the Council's transformation agenda, leading by example and inspiring others to embrace change.
• Contribute to the development and review of policies related to housing needs and homelessness prevention, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and best practices.

7. Contacts

• Primary contact will be with other officers within the Council, and service users / residents and their representative bodies.
  • Housing Management
  • Procurement
  • Finance
  • Voids, Repairs and Compliance Team
  • Resident Hub
  • Adult Social Care & Health
  • Children's Services
  • Community Safety Team
  • Legal Services
  • Housing Benefit
  • Environmental Health
  • Councillors and MPs