Allocations & Lettings Officer – AR

Job Details

Allocations & Lettings Officer

Location: Lynton House, Ilford
Department: Housing – Housing Needs
Team: Housing Supply Team
Contract: Temporary
Hours: 36 hours per week

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Allocations & Lettings Officer to join a Housing Supply Team within a local authority environment. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the allocation and letting of social housing, temporary accommodation, and private rented sector accommodation in line with statutory requirements and council policies.

This role plays a key part in supporting vulnerable residents by ensuring households are placed into suitable accommodation, providing housing advice, managing housing register applications, and delivering effective homelessness prevention outcomes.

The ideal candidate will have strong knowledge of housing allocations legislation, homelessness legislation, and local authority housing processes, including experience of Part VI of the Housing Act 1996, Choice Based Lettings, and temporary accommodation placements.

Key Responsibilities

Housing Allocations & Lettings

  • Manage the allocation of permanent council and Registered Provider (RP) properties through Choice Based Lettings systems.
  • Review and analyse shortlisted applicants to ensure properties are allocated fairly and in line with the Housing Allocations Scheme.
  • Verify applicant circumstances, including eligibility, financial information, local connection, household needs, and suitability for tenancy.
  • Complete interviews, home visits, and checks as part of the verification process.
  • Make appropriate housing offers and manage the lettings process through to completion.
  • Provide advice and support to applicants regarding housing options and available mobility schemes.

Temporary Accommodation & Homelessness Placements

  • Allocate temporary accommodation, prevention properties, and Private Rented Sector Offers (PRSOs) in line with council policies.
  • Complete suitability assessments and ensure households are placed into appropriate accommodation.
  • Manage tenancy sign-ups and provide advice to customers regarding accommodation offers.
  • Process refusals of suitable accommodation and support decision-making around discharge of homelessness duties.
  • Maintain accurate records of placements, offers, refusals, and customer interactions.

Housing Register & Customer Support

  • Manage housing register applications and ensure customer circumstances are regularly reviewed and updated.
  • Provide clear housing advice to applicants experiencing housing difficulties.
  • Support vulnerable households, including those with medical needs, disabilities, safeguarding concerns, and complex needs.
  • Complete direct matching processes for:
    • Medical priority cases
    • Hospital discharge cases
    • Adapted accommodation requirements
    • Management transfers
    • Under-occupiers
    • Sheltered housing applicants

Legislation & Compliance

  • Apply knowledge of relevant housing legislation, including:
    • Housing Act 1996 (Part VI Allocations and Part VII Homelessness)
    • Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
    • Children Act
    • Care Act
    • Welfare Reform Act
  • Ensure decisions and recommendations comply with statutory guidance, council policies, and best practice.

Partnership Working

  • Build effective working relationships with:
    • Housing associations and Registered Providers
    • Other local authorities
    • Social care teams
    • Health services
    • Voluntary organisations
    • Support agencies
    • External housing partners
  • Liaise with professionals to secure sustainable housing solutions for customers with complex needs.

Systems & Administration

  • Maintain accurate customer records and electronic case files.
  • Update housing management and homelessness systems with relevant information.
  • Ensure all decisions, actions, and customer interactions are fully documented.
  • Produce information and performance data when required.

Essential Experience

The successful candidate will have:

  • Experience working within a local authority housing environment.
  • Experience in housing allocations, lettings, or homelessness services.
  • Strong understanding of Part VI Housing Act 1996 and housing allocations processes.
  • Experience using Choice Based Lettings systems and housing management systems.
  • Experience managing housing register applications and allocating properties.
  • Experience working with vulnerable customers and complex cases.
  • Experience providing housing advice and managing challenging conversations.
  • Ability to work to deadlines, manage competing priorities, and maintain accurate records.

Key Skills

  • Strong knowledge of social housing allocations and homelessness legislation.
  • Excellent customer service and communication skills.
  • Ability to interpret legislation, policies, and guidance.
  • Strong organisation and case management skills.
  • Ability to make evidence-based decisions.
  • Confident dealing with difficult and sensitive situations.
  • Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and housing management systems.

Ideal Backgrounds

Suitable candidates may come from backgrounds including:

  • Housing Allocations Officer
  • Lettings Officer
  • Housing Options Officer
  • Housing Needs Officer
  • Homelessness Officer
  • Housing Solutions Officer
  • Housing Assessment Officer
  • Housing Officer (Allocations/Homelessness)

Desirable Experience

  • Previous local authority experience.
  • Experience managing temporary accommodation placements.
  • Experience working with Choice Based Lettings systems such as Abritas.
  • Experience supporting customers with complex needs, including medical and safeguarding issues.