Income Recovery Officer Perm: NW London

A fantastic opportunity has emerged for a specialist Income Recovery Officer to join one of our leading public sector clients in a full time (35 hours per week, Monday to Friday), permanent role.

Based in Harrow in West London for 3-4 days per week and the rest working from home, this role reports into the Senior Housing Manager, and our client is looking for a candidate who has experience of:

* Ensuring prompt and appropriate contact is made with customers who fall into arrears of rent and/or other charges.
* Running weekly rent arrears reports, keeping records of actions taken and corresponding with tenants.
* Advising tenants on Housing Benefit and Universal Credit, with the aim of sustaining tenancies.
* Liaising with benefit agencies to resolve problems with Housing Benefit and Universal Credit.
* Carrying out dedicated home visits
* Submitting former tenant debts for write-off where the debt is unrecoverable.
* Taking legal action against residents who will not pay, including representing the Association in court.
* Applying for grants, DHP's, APA's and Direct UC payments
* Making affordable repayment agreements taking income and expenditure into account.
* Offering appropriate advice and support including referrals to the Tenancy Sustainment Service.
* Proactively monitoring and managing rent and service charge accounts for both current and former residents across all tenure types.
* Participating in the development, implementation and successful delivery of income and financial inclusion projects and service improvements

This role requires the successful candidate to have some experience in housing management (preferably 2 years), be highly self-motivated and be strong on the telephone. A car driver and owner would is useful (but not essential) due to the geographical patch that you would need to cover each week. Good knowledge and understanding of CRM systems would also be ideal.

Previous public sector experience would be useful, but not essential. Experience in reclaiming debt owed to the client/landlord by tenants in court would also be a real advantage, as would knowledge of how to deal with leaseholders. Excellent understanding of welfare and benefits would be highly desirable.

Only applicants who feel they meet the above criteria need apply for this post, as the client is keen to interview in person in early March 2024. Only applicants who feel they meet the above criteria need apply.