Private Rented Sector Offers Officer

Job Description

4Recruitment Services are seeking to recruit  an experienced and motivated Private Rented Sector Offers (PRSO) Officer to join its Accommodation Services team.

This is an excellent opportunity for a housing professional with strong knowledge of homelessness legislation and private rented sector housing to play a key role in helping vulnerable households access suitable, affordable accommodation.

The successful candidate will be responsible for discharging the Council’s statutory housing duties to households owed a full housing duty by making appropriate Private Rented Sector Offers. You will assess individual circumstances, housing needs and affordability, ensuring that accommodation offered is suitable and meets the needs of the household. Wherever possible, accommodation will be sourced close to Brent, although suitable options may also be secured outside the borough where required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assessing households owed the full housing duty and determining suitable accommodation based on their individual circumstances and needs.
• Reviewing applicant information and undertaking comprehensive income and expenditure assessments.
• Making Private Rented Sector Offers in accordance with the Housing Act 1996 Part 7, Localism Act 2011 and relevant homelessness legislation.
• Preparing and issuing statutory decision letters and notifications to other authorities where applicants are rehoused outside the area.
• Managing complex cases, including cases that may be subject to judicial review or Ombudsman enquiries.
• Liaising with solicitors, advocates, landlords, agents and other professional representatives.
• Providing case summaries and information to Legal Services and giving evidence in court where required.
• Developing and maintaining strong relationships with landlords, agents, housing providers, council services and external partners.
• Undertaking property and location visits both within and outside the borough where necessary.
• Maintaining accurate case records, reports and management information.
• Managing an allocated caseload effectively, prioritising work and ensuring deadlines are met.
• Making appropriate referrals to medical, social care and other relevant services.
• Supporting high-need and exceptional cases, including preparing reports for relevant panels.
• Responding to enquiries, complaints and correspondence from customers, advocates, councillors, MPs, the Ombudsman and other housing organisations.
• Contributing to projects, new initiatives and innovative approaches to improving private rented sector supply.

To be successful in this role, you will have a strong understanding of homelessness and housing legislation, together with the ability to work confidently with vulnerable households and manage complex cases.

Essential requirements:

• A degree or equivalent qualification.
• A high standard of literacy and numeracy.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Housing Act 1996 Parts 6 and 7, relevant housing legislation and case law.
• Knowledge of the Localism Act 2011 and the discharge of homelessness duties into the private rented sector.
• A good working knowledge of housing benefit rules and housing supply and demand within a London local authority.
• Knowledge of private rented sector issues, including affordability and the impact of the Overall Benefit Cap.
• Experience of delivering customer-focused services.
• Experience providing advice and information to vulnerable customers in a busy frontline environment.
• ·         Strong negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to achieve positive outcomes.

Recruitment is done in line with safe recruitment practices. 4Recruitment Services is an equal opportunities employer.

To discuss this vacancy in further detail or any other vacancies, please contact our Team on 0800 988 6307 or email  gpadmin@4recruitmentservices.com