Private Rented Sector Officer

About the role Private Rented Sector Officer The council’s Rental Support Scheme helps households who are homeless or at risk of homelessness into safe and suitable private-rented sector tenancies. It is a key part of the council’s efforts to prevent homelessness and minimise the need to place households into temporary accommodation and gives eligible households choice. Your role is focussed on running the Rental Support Scheme, using your experience and knowledge of the private-rented sector and your negotiation and communication skills to persuade landlords and agents to sign up to the scheme and supporting tenants and would-be tenants to maintain and access tenancies. The main purpose of the role: Private Rented Sector Officer The role leads on the day-to-day delivery and operation of the council’s Rental Support Scheme, securing and sustaining a supply of good quality private rented homes for households who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, while expanding landlord engagement and improving access to suitable accommodation. It involves working to increase access to a supply of suitable private-rented properties, through building and maintaining relationships with private landlords, lettings and managing agents, delivering incentive offers and promotional activity, and negotiating effective tenancy arrangements that promote affordability and long-term stability. Strong operational delivery is essential, including managing onboarding, inspections, tenancy documentation, deposits, arrears, case records and performance reporting, as well as matching households efficiently to reduce temporary accommodation use and prevent homelessness. The role also provides focused support to Afghan and Ukrainian households, resolving tenancy issues, preventing arrears, maintaining rent guarantees and helping families secure long-term homes through practical advice, move-on planning, property searches and partnership working. Success requires strong organisation, empathy, clear communication, confident IT skills and experience in housing advice, PRS access, welfare benefits and move on planning, with the ability to work effectively with families, landlords, letting agents and partner agencies. Experience of dealing with the public face to face and on the telephone, dealing with enquiries, delivering a frontline customer orientated service. Significant experience of the private sector lettings market and a detailed knowledge of the legal requirements of tenancies in the private-rented sector Private Rented Sector Officer Experience of effectively carrying out administrative duties Private Rented Sector Officer Experience of being able to influence and negotiate successfully