Rent Recovery Officer

**Role: Rent Recovery Officer**

**Contract Type: Temporary, Full Time until 31st March 2024**

**Pay: £15.95 per hour**

**Location**: Essex (Hybrid Role: 1-2 days per week in the office)

As a Rent Recovery Officer, you will play a key role in managing higher value/complex rent arrears cases, ensuring compliance with legislation, policies, and guidance. Your primary responsibilities include maximizing rental income, minimizing rent arrears, and representing the Council in County Court when necessary.

**Additional Information**:The Rent Team is responsible for collecting the annual rent debit of £52 million from the Councils social housing stock of approximately 10,500 homes. The team employs effective campaigns and early intervention strategies to prevent rent arrears, taking recovery action as needed. The team collaborates closely with the ASB Team and Tenancy and Estate Management to provide a holistic approach to housing management services.

**Responsibilities**:

- Managing high-level rent arrears cases, taking enforcement action as necessary.
- Ensuring effective collection of rent arrears following the service of a Notice of Seeking Possession.
- Negotiating payment arrangements based on the tenants income and expenditure commitments.
- Promoting a payment culture through tenant interactions.
- Liaising with internal and external agencies to maximize income and prevent arrears escalation.
- Attending court as a key witness in possession proceedings and representing the Council professionally.

**Experience and Qualifications**:
To be successful in this role, you will need:

- Educated to GCSE level (A-C*) or equivalent standard in Maths and English or relevant experience.
- Proven record of effectively managing complex debt recovery cases and maximizing income to the organization.
- Good working knowledge of Housing and related legislation, managing tenancies, and pre-court protocols.
- Experience in customer service with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrable experience of developing and maintaining effective partnerships.
- Experience of presenting evidence at Court.
- A full manual driving licence.