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 maybe 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. Internal contacts will include:

o Housing Management

o Procurement

o Finance

o Voids, Repairs and Compliance Team

o Resident Hub

o Adult Social Care & Health

o Children's Services

o Community Safety Team

o Legal Services

o Housing Benefit

o Environmental Health

o Councillors and MPs

Morgan Hunt is a multi-award-winning recruitment business for interim, contract and temporary recruitment and acts as an Employment Agency in relation to permanent vacancies. Morgan Hunt is an equal opportunities employer. Job suitability is assessed on merit in accordance with the individual's skills, qualifications and abilities to perform the relevant duties required in a particular role.