Housing Officer (Property Letting), Smartmove Housing; Ballymena area

The post holder will manage housing and related services. This will involve managing a designated patch of housing and keeping in regular contact with tenants, looking after rental income, dealing with repairs, properties and Landlords.

To ensure that the aims and objectives and outcomes of SmartMove NI are consistently delivered
To participate and provide reports and updates to the Operations Manager of SmartMove NI as required, and contribute to reports submitted to the Head of SmartMove NI as required
To update database systems of outcomes, activities, equal opportunities, levels and indicators of performance so that reports will be made available to the NIHE within the expected deadlines
To provide an efficient, responsive and sensitive housing management service for SmartMove NI’s customers and those applying to the scheme for housing
Provide contact, advice and guidance to customers within the framework of the tenancy agreement and the relevant procedures. This includes the preparation of tenancy agreements, Handbooks and Information Packs for new tenants
To liaise with tenants on housing management problems, Enforcement of tenancy conditions and ensuring the housing stock are maintained in good condition
To actively promote and market empty homes in order to undertake the letting of homes within SmartMove NI relevant policies and procedures, to ensure rent loss is kept to a minimum
To deal with enquiries and complaints from tenants and members of the community as well as the general public
Through effective communication with stakeholders, oversee the referral process, ensuring all referrals are appropriately logged, assessed and decided upon in compliance with equal opportunities and outcomes clearly communicated to appropriate referring agents.
Ensure that an effective and cooperative relationship is maintained with our stakeholders through a multi-agency approach
To maintain First Housing IT system (PSOCC) for case working recording
To be responsible for carrying out in conjunction with team members, fire drills and associated protocol
To ensure that appropriate risk assessments are carried out on buildings within your span of control
To liaise with relevant bodies and stakeholders to promote and maximise service deliver
To carry out other duties appropriate to the post as may be required.

MAIN TASKS

Dealing with housing applications and referrals
Interviewing tenants and giving advice on tenant-landlord relationships, benefits and budgeting advice
Carrying out ready to occupy assessments, tenancy ready checks and needs assessments
Setting rents, administering their collection and developing policies to deal with and minimise arrears
Encouraging and supporting tenants' groups and attending meetings as required
Maintaining records and writing reports to SmartMove NI standards
Dealing with breaches of tenancy agreements, which could culminate in carrying out evictions
Carry out inspecting properties
Signing landlords up to the service
- Manintaining landlord management system
  - Processing applications for housing improvements and repairs and communicating outcomes to tenants
- Preparing cases and attending court hearings
- Dealing with abandoned tenancies, squatters and unauthorised occupiers
- liaising with tenant groups, local councillors, property professionals and other support and welfare organisations, including social workers and estate agents
- Attend relevant network meetings and forums with referring agencies
- Map out and gather information on other agencies within the region that may access the service
- Provide presentations to referring agencies on the project
- Ensure referring agencies have up to date referral forms and criteria

RELATIONSHIP WITH FIRST HOUSING

To be an active team member, supporting colleagues, being prepared to receive support as necessary and contribute fully to team workload
To participate in staff meetings as require
To participate in staff development and review
To attend training as identified and required in relation to personal and professional development
To comply with the policies and procedures in place that meet with health and safety legislation
To respect our policy of promoting equality/valuing diversity