Income Collection Officer
*Hourly Rate: £19.50
*Location: Central London, Holborn
*Job Type: Temporary (5 months), Hybrid
We are seeking an Income Collection Officer to join our team, focusing on a range of income collection duties related to rent and service charge for both the private rented sector and social housing residents. This role involves providing a coordinated, flexible, and effective income collection service, aiming to achieve and maintain the lowest levels of current rent and former tenancy arrears to maximise income recovery.
Day-to-day of the role:
*Proactively reduce rent arrears across all accounts to meet monthly targets, including producing arrears reports and letters, engaging with residents, and preparing legal instructions for possession proceedings.
*Serve Notices, conduct home visits, apply for direct payments, attend court when required, and offer advice and support to help residents sustain their tenancies.
*Take ownership of individual performance targets and contribute to the overall success of the income collection service.
*Identify residents who may benefit from specialist welfare or financial inclusion support and refer them to the appropriate manager.
*Liaise effectively with external agencies including Local Authorities (Housing Benefit), the DWP (Universal Credit), social services, and other relevant bodies to support income recovery.
*Respond to arrears-related correspondence and provide clear, accurate information to assist in resolving formal complaints.
*Plan and manage your own workload efficiently, ensuring accounts are monitored weekly and targets are consistently met.
Required Skills & Qualifications:
*Experience working in a housing and income collection setting.
*Background in credit control with practical knowledge of income recovery processes.
*Confident using housing management systems to monitor and manage accounts.
*Solid understanding of the legal framework for housing including Pre-Action Protocols.
*Demonstrable knowledge of welfare benefits, particularly Universal Credit and Housing Benefit.
*Proficient in MS Office applications including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Benefits for Temporary Role:
*Competitive hourly rate.
*Flexible working arrangements to accommodate a balance between work and personal life.
*Access to professional development and training opportunities to enhance skills.
*Inclusive and supportive team environment.
To apply for this Income Collection Officer position, please submit your CV.