Housing Officer

JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title:Housing Officer Department:Housing Department Responsible to:Housing Manger Job Purpose:The purpose of the Housing Officer role is to deliver high-quality, customer-focused housing management services that support the tenants and communities within Fold Housing. Role Overview: The Housing Officer will act as the main point of contact for tenants, ensuring effective tenancy management, resolving housing issues, and fostering sustainable communities. The role involves maintaining compliance with housing policies and regulations while promoting tenant engagement, wellbeing, and satisfaction. Key responsibilities include all aspects of tenancy management including managing tenancy agreements, addressing tenant queries, rent arrears and assessments, handling complaints, and working collaboratively with internal teams and external partners to improve housing services. The Housing Officer also ensures that properties are let and maintained efficiently, contributing to Fold Housings Values. Principal Duties & Responsibilities Lettings/Allocations Managing void properties, lettings, and allocations in an effective manner and closing energy provider accounts and transferring them to company account if required Carry out pre-void inspection visits on void properties to ensure the property meets Fold Housings standards Developing and maintaining effective relationships with the local authority and other stakeholders and agencies Interviewing and assessing prospective Tenants and making allocation decisions Co-ordinating the viewings of properties with prospective Tenant at interview and sign-up stages Delivering pre-tenancy training, advising prospective tenants on their housing rights and responsibilities while being a tenant of Fold Housing. Rent: Advise tenants on rent assessments in line with the tenancy agreement. Ensuring income returns and changes of circumstances are processed in a timely and effective manner. Arrears monitoring and control including prevention, early warning, in line with Fold Housing rent and arrears policy. Taking legal action were appropriate Preparing casefiles and representing Fold Housing at RTB providing reports when needed by the housing manager. Tenancy management Deal with requests for succession or changes to the tenancy in accordance with agreed policies and procedures. Dealing with tenancy breaches by firstly offering support to minimise Termination of Tenancy, Make full and timely use of the services offered by the Residential Tenancies Board including Mediation and Adjudication when required. Manage tenancy Termination/Surrenders to ensure that the outgoing tenant leaves has a clear rent account and the property in satisfactory condition. Prepare paperwork for Residential Tenancy Board hearings and to representing Fold Housing at Adjudication Hearings and other legal hearings. Regularly visit schemes and record inspections and actions Record and identify causes of damage to property and ensure it is remedied To maintain accurate current records of all properties, Tenancies, and incidents Antisocial behaviour (ASB) Managing all reports of ASB in line with agreed policies and procedures. Work with internal and external partners to try to remedy the ASB before having to commence legal action. Make full use of the services offered by the Residential Tenancies Board. Prepare paperwork for hearings and represent Fold Housing at mediation/Adjudication Hearings and other legal hearings. Give accurate advice and information to Tenants. keeping up to date with Best Practice legislative changes. Repairs Liaise with the maintenance/business support officers regarding property and estate responsive, cyclical, and planned maintenance requirements Responsible for recharges and agreements. Follow up with breach of tenancy where appropriate Tenant Participation Working with the Tenant Engagement officers and tenants to maximise tenant participation. Represent Fold Housing at appropriate internal and external meetings. Hold tenant meetings on an annual basis. Organisation Maintain all tenant files and data to ensure they are clear, accurate and complete. Work to resolve complaints received regarding service delivery by Fold Housing Take steps to prevent future complaints. Ensure that management are aware of your observations and that they are informed of all important issues that may impact the Business. To contribute and review of Housing Departments policies and procedures. Develop and maintain relationships with external partners and agencies that have a key role in the effective delivery of housing services, Local Authority, HSE Etc. To keep abreast of key legislative which affect your work as a housing officer. Produce reports as required on all schemes within your allocated scheme. Training Attend training appropriate to your role as Housing Officer To work with your Line Manager to identify your development and learning needs and develop and implement a plan that meets these needs. Corporate Responsibilities Ensure all activity is aligned to Fold Housings core values Always adhere to all Fold Housings policies and procedures To always exercise discretion and high standards regarding your own health and safety and that of Fold Housing obligations General To positively promote and present a professional image of Fold Housing. Any other duties which are consistent with your role as housing officer. Key competencies required in the role: Team Player Tenant Centred Relationship Building Planning and Organisation time management IT Skills Delivery under deadlines Fold Housing: All Fold Housing employees are expected to promote and support a working environment that is free from harassment or discrimination on the grounds of religion, community background, gender, marital status, or disability. This job description is not exhaustive and following consultation with the post holder, may be amended to facilitate changes in the better of Folds activities. Successful applicants will be required to complete a Garda Vetting form (NV1). Having a criminal conviction will not necessarily debar an applicant from working with Fold Housing. Disclosure information will be handled in line with the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Adults) Acts 2012-2016. Fold Housing is and equal opportunities employer Person Specification Key Skills Candidates will be shortlisted on the basis of illustrating in their application that they fulfil the following criteria. Examples that demonstrate the ability to fulfil the criteria should be included as well as the above competencies. Criteria Education/Qualifications Educated to Degree Level (or equivalent) Essential Professional qualification (e.g., ICSH/CIH/IAVI) Desirable Full Clean Driving Licence Essential Property Services Regulatory Authority Licence Desirable Knowledge/Skills Knowledge of housing law and tenancy agreements Desirable Knowledge of the technical aspects of voids, rent, and repairs maintenance Essential High level of IT/Digital proficiency Essential Good organisational skills, with the ability to be flexible and work on own initiative Essential Financial appreciation and budget management skills Desirable Experience 3 years experience of working in a customer-focused environment Essential Experience of working in a residential property-oriented environment Essential Experience working with Management Companies & Agents Desirable Experience of working with a wide range of people who are vulnerable, homeless, elderly, or low-income households Desirable Experience of working with other social landlords, statutory and voluntary agencies Desirable Proven examples of resolving difficult situations Essential FOLD Housing operates a No Smoking on the Premises Policy Benefits: company pension scheme 22 days paid leave Bike to work scheme Employee assistance program