We are looking for a fixed term Rent Arrears Officer to join our successful Income Team and help deliver the best housing services in Tower Hamlets.

About You

You will manage arrears casework following the service of the Notice up until eviction. Your responsibilities include promptly and appropriately addressing rent arrears cases that may require an application to court or for eviction. You should be able to identify residents who may be vulnerable and referring them to our financial inclusion team for support. Your dedication plays a vital role in improving income collection for LBTH, ensuring the delivery of a top-tier income collection service. You will be required to attend and present cases at Court on behalf of London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

To be successful in this role you will need the following skills and experience,

• At least 2 years’ experience working in a local authority or housing association.

• Comprehensive experience and/or knowledge of rent income collections.

• Have experience in using PCOL.

• Deal effectively with verbal and written enquiries from clients

• Have sound judgement and the ability to prioritise workloads effectively

• Have experience of preparing and presenting cases in Court.

• Conduct visits to residents’ homes, attend court and evictions.

• Have knowledge of relevant legislation and Housing Benefit and other welfare benefits.

What we offer

• 29 days paid holiday each year rising to 33 days with 5 years’ service, plus bank holidays and 3 statutory/concessionary days

• Hybrid working

• A fantastic career-average pension scheme

• Salary Sacrifice schemes

• Amazing commercial discounts, including discounts at many gyms, shops and restaurants.

• Your voice heard through our staff forum and various networking and support groups, including those for women and LGBT staff.

• Working as part of an inclusive workforce, serving a vibrant and diverse local community

• Newly refurbished offices, with free tea, coffee, and shower facilities

• Interest-free season ticket loans

Tower Hamlets Council is a recognised Disability Confident employer and can guarantee an interview to all disabled candidates meeting the minimum essential criteria for the role. We also pay a Community Language Allowance worth £50 per month to any member of staff who can provide services in community languages where this is required, such as Bengali and Somali.

Tower Hamlets vision for our borough is that: people are aspirational, independent and have equal access to opportunities; we are a borough that our residents are proud of and love to live in; and we are a dynamic, outcomes-based council using digital innovation and partnership working to respond to the changing needs of our borough. We want people who aspire to our TOWER values: Together; Open; Willing; Excellent; Respect.

Tower Hamlets has a zero-tolerance approach to, and works to eradicate, all forms of discrimination on the basis of race, sex, disability, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital status, status as a civil partner, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy and maternity and looks to employ a diverse workforce representative of those groups. We recognise that people can also be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class.

We welcome applicants interested in flexible working arrangements and also applicants who live in the borough.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.

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