Private Rented Sector Officer

Private Rented Sector Officer

Location: Swindon

Hours: 37 hours

Fixed term contract for 12 month

Job Purpose

·       To develop joint working relationships with private sector landlords. This will include regular

·       meetings/visits to build relationships and form new networks

·       The post holder will be responsible for agreeing financial assistance in line with Swindon Borough

·       Council policies to assist clients into suitable accommodation Assist in developing a new Private Rented Scheme to encourage private landlords to rent properties

·       to clients on Universal Credit

·       The post holder will also be required to develop the Council’s Private Rented Sector Offer to enable it

·       to discharge its duty to homeless clients

·       The primary focus is to support clients who are placed in temporary/emergency housing solutions

·       with clear and obtainable move-on options

·       To ensure clients can sustain accommodation

· 

Key Accountabilities

·       To prevent homelessness by assisting customers to access accommodation in the private rented

sector and establishing and maintaining links with private landlords

·       To maintain a detailed understanding of the private sector housing market and the differing needs across the borough

·       Develop effective liaison arrangements with the Benefits Service to ensure correct and timely

                payments of Universal Credit

·       To contribute homeless to prevention initiatives and assist in training and information updates for staff

·        To oversee further development of a suitable Private Rented Sector Offer to discharge a homeless duty

·       To recruit new private landlords under a new Private Rented Scheme. Negotiating rent levels with

·       Landlords and the requirements of property condition, in conjunction with other council

Minimum

·       At least 12 months experience of working in a housing or housing-related field

·       Experience dealing with members of the public both face to face and over the phone

·       Experience officiation and negotiation with Private sector Landlords, agents a,nd statutory agencies

·       Knowledge of landlord and tenant law

·       Current, full driving license

Preferred

·       Knowledge of Housing Law, in particular, Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended by the

·       Experience with equal opportunity issues

·       Good IT skills

·       Excellent communication skills

·       Ability to work under pressure

·       Experience of multi-agency working

·       Understanding of non-secured license arrangements

·       Housing qualification with CIH

·       GCSE Grade C or equivalent in English and one other subject. In the absence of formal

qualifications, further relevant experience will be co