Job Details
Job Description
Job Title: Temporary Accommodation Officer
Grade: F/G
Contract: Permanent
Location: Kingston
Reporting to: Temporary Accommodation Team Manager
Line Management Responsibility: None
Role Purpose
To ensure the effective and efficient management of the Council’s Temporary Accommodation portfolio in accordance with relevant legislation, policies, and procedures.
The postholder will ensure that all temporary accommodation is safe, suitable, well maintained, and managed to a high standard, while supporting homeless households placed in temporary accommodation and working collaboratively with internal and external partners.
The role contributes to the ongoing development and improvement of the Temporary Accommodation service.
Key Responsibilities
Service Delivery
Deliver a high-quality temporary accommodation management service across Council hostels, private sector leased accommodation, spot-purchased homes, and supported accommodation.
Undertake property viewings, sign-ups, and lettings, ensuring residents understand licence/tenancy conditions and rent payment methods.
Support residents to sustain accommodation by assisting with Housing Benefit applications at the start of lettings.
Ensure rent accounts are correctly set up and closed, monitoring arrears and identifying cases requiring further action.
Property Management & Compliance
Carry out property inspections at pre-void, void, re-let, and through planned inspection programmes.
Ensure all properties meet repairing obligations and health and housing safety rating standards.
Arrange, monitor, and follow up repairs with providers and contractors, ensuring completion within agreed timescales.
Ensure compliance certification is in place, including fire safety and person-centred fire risk assessments.
Record, escalate, and refer unresolved hazards, disrepair, or compliance breaches appropriately.
Minimise void turnaround times and reduce rent loss.
Resident Management & Enforcement
Manage relationships with residents, responding to enquiries and complaints relating to property condition, repairs, and tenancy matters.
Investigate and record anti-social behaviour, licence breaches, unauthorised occupation, sub-letting, and abandonment.
Liaise with Legal Services on possession action and represent the Council at court hearings and evictions when required.
Work with the Housing Access and Housing Solutions teams on suitability, transfers, alternative placements, and discharge of duty.
Safeguarding & Support
Identify safeguarding risks, welfare needs, and support requirements of residents.
Raise safeguarding alerts and attend multi-agency meetings.
Refer residents to appropriate support services, including welfare benefits, debt advice, employment support, and social care.
Partnership Working
Build and maintain effective working relationships with temporary accommodation providers, housing associations, and private landlords.
Work collaboratively with internal teams including Housing, Social Care, Finance, Benefits, Environmental Health, Building Control, and Fraud.
Support the maximisation of private sector accommodation options to reduce reliance on bed and breakfast placements.
Performance & Improvement
Contribute to service planning, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Maintain accurate records and provide performance data and reports to the Team Manager.
Keep up to date with relevant housing and homelessness legislation and policy, providing specialist advice to colleagues as required.
Participate in the out-of-hours rota to support temporary accommodation residents during emergencies.
Equality, Diversity & Values
Embed equality, fairness, inclusion, and respect in all aspects of service delivery and team working.
Act in accordance with the Council’s values and commitment to community cohesion.
Person Specification
Knowledge (Essential unless stated)
Knowledge of private sector housing law and security of tenure, including Assured Shorthold Tenancies.
Knowledge of repairing and health and safety obligations relating to temporary accommodation.
Understanding of the needs of homeless households in temporary accommodation.
Knowledge of Part VI of the Housing Act 1996 and homelessness legislation (Desirable).
Experience
Experience working in a busy frontline housing or similar customer-facing service.
Experience of managing complex casework.
Experience of partnership working, negotiation, and influencing to achieve outcomes.
Skills & Abilities
Strong customer focus with the ability to manage challenging behaviour.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Strong organisational and administrative skills with attention to detail.
Ability to interpret complex information and apply it effectively in practice.
Ability to prioritise, problem-solve creatively, and meet deadlines in a pressured environment.
Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
Commitment to ongoing professional development and learning.
Confident use of digital systems and agile working practices.
