Rent Arrears Recovery Officer

To ensure the collection of rent arrears for Landlord and Non-landlord debts, through early intervention with an emphasis on personal contact with tenants.
- To prevent rent arrears from escalating in line with the Council's rent collection policies and procedures in an effort to prevent serious debt and homelessness
- To identify where tenants may be experiencing difficulty in meeting their commitment to pay rent (and other such bills as council tax) and be able to provide debt counselling and advice or referral to the Financial Inclusion Team.
- To refer tenants to internal and external support agencies, where appropriate, to ensure that the tenancy can be sustained and the tenant is supported throughout.
- Responsible for monitoring rent accounts on an ongoing basis, in order to identify cases that require further enforcement action, particularly in relation to tenants with court orders, or who have introductory tenancies.

**Rate**: £18.75 per hour Umbrella

**The team and the purpose of the team**
- To ensure the collection of rent arrears for Landlord and Non-landlord debts, through early intervention with an emphasis on personal contact with tenants.
- To prevent rent arrears from escalating in line with the Council's rent collection policies and procedures in an effort to prevent serious debt and homelessness
- To identify where tenants may be experiencing difficulty in meeting their commitment to pay rent (and other such bills as council tax) and be able to provide debt counselling and advice or referral to the Financial Inclusion Team.
- To refer tenants to internal and external support agencies, where appropriate, to ensure that the tenancy can be sustained and the tenant is supported throughout.
- Responsible for monitoring rent accounts on an ongoing basis, in order to identify cases that require further enforcement action, particularly in relation to tenants with court orders, or who have introductory tenancies.
- To achieve agreed personal patch performance targets for the collection of rent and be fully involved in the setting of personal future performance targets.
- To work proactively and to contribute ideas to improve income maximisation for the council and for individual tenants.
- To maintain a sound knowledge of Housing Legislation and in particular the impact of welfare reform on both tenants and the council.
- To make regular and early contact with all tenants in arrears through home visits, telephone calls, office interviews etc; sometimes outside normal working hours.
- To negotiate repayment arrangements with tenants and take corrective action where such agreements are not maintained.
- To prepare and serve Notices of Seeking Possession and, in the cases of introductory tenants to determine the appropriateness of the service of Notice of Possession Proceedings and ensure all pre-court protocol is followed.
- To attend any Court Hearings as necessary in the absence of the Rent Arrears Recovery Lead
- To liaise with the Housing department's Landlord and Non-landlord teams, Adult social Care and Financial Inclusion to work towards the prevention of escalating arrears and homelessness.
- To assist in the induction of new members of staff.

**Requirements**:
1. Experience working in Public Sector Housing/Finance Income Recovery

2. Knowledge of Welfare Benefits including Universal Credit and Housing benefits

3.Knowledge of Housing legislation and are you familiar with the various Notices and tenure types

**Job Type**: Temporary contract
Contract length: 3 months

**Salary**: Up to £18.75 per hour

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

Application question(s):

- Do you have Knowledge of Housing legislation and are you familiar with the various Notices and tenure types?
- Do you have Knowledge of Welfare Benefits including Universal Credit and Housing benefits?

**Experience**:

- Public Sector Housing/Finance Income Recovery: 2 years (required)

Reference ID: RQ647762