Social Housing Assessment and Lettings Officer

Positive Employment is currently recruiting for a Social Housing Assessment and Lettings Officer for our client a government organisation in Wembley. The successful post holder will investigate and assess all households who apply for housing under the Housing Act 1985 and Housing Act 1996 (Part VI). This includes registering new and general housing applicants; undertaking verifications, including home visits and organising medical assessments; notifying applicants of their housing assessment priority and management and administration for existing applications. The post-holders will also support the management and administration of the choice-based lettings service, including prioritisation of applicants for viewings/offers, dealing with customer enquiries and organising the advertisement of properties. This role is a temporary contract initially for 3 months with the possibility to extend. This role is hybrid working with 3 days in the office per week. Duties and Responsibilities but not limited to: Investigate and assess all applicants under the Housing Act 1985 and Housing Act 1996 (Part VI), Localism Act 2011 and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 to assess whether housing is required. This may include interviewing applicants to determine their eligibility, making detailed enquires to other organisations to verify information, and carrying out home visits in order to confirm/evaluate housing circumstances. Prioritise all applicants in the appropriate category and banding in line with the organisation’s allocation policy and other guidelines. To write and serve decision letters on all applications, explaining the reasons for their decision and advising them of their right to review. Work closely with the Housing Management Team to ensure that mutual exchanges, successions, tenancy assignments, management transfers and tenancy terminations are dealt with efficiently and in accordance with legislation and policy and procedures. Investigate cases of racial or sexual harassment or other forms of unacceptable behaviour in accommodation and take appropriate action. Contribute to the maintenance of the choice based letting system which enables applicants to bid for properties, including the advertising and marketing of available properties. Make appropriate nominations and allocations to all social housing accommodation that the organisation owns or has nomination rights to. To do so within agreed timescales to minimise voids periods and potential financial loss to the organisation. Provide accurate advice to households regarding their offer and consequences of refusals. Develop and maintain a detailed knowledge of complex legislation, case law and government guidance concerning the organisation’s statutory duties and maintain a working knowledge of related housing, property, immigration and family legislation. Make all necessary referrals to relevant services or departments, including the organisation’s medical officer, social care services and housing options services, and investigate high need or exceptional cases. This will include preparing reports for the allocations and social panels where required. Amend and update cases, properties and schemes on the LOCATA system and advise applicants on the use of the service. This will include monitoring and identifying any anomalies in bidding patterns and taking action to address issues, such as non-bidding or inappropriate bidding. Personal Requirements: Standard DBS check. Knowledge of core legislation such as the Housing Act 1985, the Housing Act 1996 (Part VI), Homelessness Act 2002, Localism Act 2011, Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, related rehousing issues and case law. Knowledge of supply and demand issues related to social housing in an inner London Local Authority. Knowledge of legislation and best practice relating to the letting of social housing and the use of choice based lettings systems. Understanding of housing need and homelessness issues in the Borough. Experience of giving advice to customers and working with vulnerable groups. Experience of assessing Housing Waiting List applications and applying the terms of current legislation and policy and procedures. Working Hours: 36hrs / Monday - Friday Pay: £28.19 per hr Please note this role is within the scope of IR35.