Income Collection Assistant

Job Title: Income Collection Assistant PFIContract Type: PermanentSalary: £25,630.92 Per Annum (£28,154.3 is achieved after 12 months successful performance in the role)Working Hours: 35 Hours per weekWorking Pattern: Monday-Friday Hybrid Location: West Bromwich, BirminghamIf you share our values and are excited about making a significant impact at Riverside, please ensure you attach a current CV and covering letter. At Riverside we recruit to potential not just on skills and experience, so we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the essential criteria on the job description.The difference you will make as a Income Collection AssistantYou will be responsible for the delivery of the income management service, minimising loss of income by taking swift and appropriate action to recover arrears/debts whilst ensuring a fair and consistent approach to customer care. To support the delivery of an efficient and effective income management service, ensuring timely rent collection and arrears recovery in line with Sandwell Council's policies, procedures, and legal requirements. To minimise loss of income, provide early intervention to prevent arrears escalation, and deliver high standards of customer care and support to tenants.About youWe are looking for someone with • Successful development, implementation and monitoring of business strategies and plans. • Customer focused with excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work at all levels within the business. • Strong analytical skills and experience of providing meaningful management information. • Proficient in the use of a range of IT packages including MS Office.Why Riverside? At Riverside, we're a housing association with a difference - enhancing the everyday for all our customers. For 90 years, we've been revitalising neighbourhoods and supporting communities by providing the homes they need to live full, fulfilling and rewarding lives. We have a portfolio of over 75,000 affordable residential and retirement homes across the UK. Our work ranges from homelessness services to social care, employment support to retirement living, and we need the best people on board to help us.Working with us, you'll enjoy:• Competitive pay & generous pension • 28 days holidays plus bank holidays • Flexible working options available • Investment in your learning, personal development and technology • A wide range of benefitsDiversity and Inclusion at Riverside: We are inclusive. At Riverside, we value diversity in all its forms. We foster a workplace where all individuals are respected, empowered, and heard. Our commitment to inclusivity drives our success and enriches the lives of our customers and colleagues.Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.Role profile• Monitor rent, service charge, and leasehold accounts regularly to identify missed or irregular payments. • Promote and assist tenants in setting up secure payment methods, including Direct Debits and online payments, ensuring affordability is considered. • Proactively contact tenants at the earliest signs of arrears to prevent escalation. • Carry out home visits, telephone calls, and written correspondence to agree on realistic re-payment arrangements. • Maintain accurate electronic and paper records of all arrear's actions, agreements, and communications. • Prepare and progress cases for legal action, including serving/delivering Notices of Seeking Possession, Notice to Terminate, applying for possession orders, and attending court hear-ings as required. • Liaise with Sandwell Council legal services, bailiffs, and enforcement agencies to ensure time-ly execution of court orders and recovery of former tenant arrears • Provide advice on welfare benefits and income maximisation to help tenants sustain their tenancies. • Liaise with the Council's Welfare Rights team, Revenues & Benefits, DWP, and other agencies to resolve benefit-related payment issues, make Alternative Payment Arrangement (APA) requests, and reduce the risk of arrears caused by delays or errors. • Signpost tenants experiencing financial hardship to appropriate support services, charities, or budgeting advice. • Work closely with the Housing Services Manager, Housing Officers, Community Engagement Officer and other colleagues to resolve rent issues and address wider tenancy sustainability concerns. • Assist with the annual rent setting and variation process, ensuring tenants are informed and accounts are updated accurately. • Provide cover for reception and cash office functions when required, ensuring cash handling procedures are followed. • Process former tenant arrears, recharge debts, and court costs in accordance with SMBC's procedures, pursuing enforcement where appropriate. • Business Continuity and Compliance: • Support the delivery of Riverside's Business Continuity Plan in times of crisis, ensuring rent collection processes remain operational. • Ensure all actions comply with legal requirements, Riverside policies, and best practice in in-come management, particularly in relation to data protection and safeguarding obligations. • Assist in the creation, production, and distribution of accurate quarterly rent statements for tenants, ensuring information is correct, clear, and compliant with Riverside's policies. • Liaise with finance teams to resolve discrepancies promptly and ensure statements are deliv-ered within set timescales. • Utilise Kontrolla and Compleat to set up and manage suppliers linked to the PFI contract, en-suring accurate data entry,