Private Sector Housing Officer

4Recruitment Services are currently seeking an experienced Private Sector Housing Officer – Homelessness Prevention for our local authority client based in Maidenhead.

The successful candidate will be responsible for securing suitable private rented accommodation, supporting homelessness prevention and helping the Council meet its statutory housing duties.

You will work closely with landlords, letting agents, housing colleagues and other stakeholders to identify and secure suitable accommodation for households, while making effective use of the Council's available incentives and resources.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

The role will be responsible for securing suitable and sustainable accommodation within the private rented sector (PRS) for homeless households, households threatened with homelessness and applicants requiring alternative housing solutions.

The post holder will proactively manage a caseload of households and work closely with landlords, letting agents, housing teams and external providers to source suitable accommodation and facilitate successful placements.

The role will play an important part in homelessness prevention, fulfilling the Council's housing duties and reducing reliance on temporary accommodation.

The post holder will need to have a strong knowledge of the local private rented sector and be confident in negotiating with landlords and agents, particularly within a high-cost area where housing supply is limited.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To operationally deliver the Council's use of the private rented sector to prevent homelessness and reduce the use of temporary accommodation.
• To proactively manage a caseload of households requiring access to private rented accommodation and provide appropriate support and advice to achieve sustainable housing outcomes.
• To source suitable private rented accommodation and identify appropriate properties for households referred by colleagues within the Housing Service.
• To build, maintain and develop effective relationships with private sector landlords, letting agents and other accommodation providers.
• To negotiate with landlords and agents to secure suitable and sustainable lettings for households, making effective use of available incentives and tools.
• To conduct property visits and undertake affordability and suitability assessments as required.
• To work closely with Housing Options, homelessness and wider housing teams to ensure applicants are appropriately placed into private rented accommodation.
• To support the Council in meeting its statutory housing and homelessness duties and contribute to effective homelessness prevention.
• To maintain a good knowledge of the local private rented sector, including availability, rents, affordability and local housing conditions.
• To deal professionally and effectively with challenging customer interactions, landlords and other stakeholders.
• To travel across the Windsor and Maidenhead area as required to undertake property visits, landlord engagement and other duties.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• 3–5 years' experience in private rented sector housing, Housing Options or a closely related housing environment.
• Proven experience working with private sector landlords and letting agents.
• Experience of sourcing and securing private rented accommodation.
• Experience delivering operational housing services within a local authority, registered provider, private or public sector consultancy, government agency, charitable organisation or private sector landlord.
• Good knowledge and understanding of housing and homelessness legislation and the statutory duties of a local authority.
• Knowledge and understanding of the social housing and private rented sector environments.
• Basic DBS check required.

Recruitment is done in line with safe recruitment practices. 4Recruitment Services is an equal opportunities employer.

To discuss this vacancy in further detail or any other vacancies, please contact our Team on (phone number removed) or email  (url removed).