Temporary Accommodation Income Officer

Temporary Accommodation Officer Location: South East London Contract: Temporary / Ongoing Rate: £26.80 per hour (Umbrella / Limited) Working Pattern: Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm Hybrid – 2 days in the office, 3 days remote We are currently recruiting for an experienced Temporary Accommodation Officer to join Lewisham Council, delivering a people-focused income collection and arrears recovery service to support residents and sustain tenancies. Main Purpose of the Role To provide an effective, resident-focused income collection service that maximises rental income and minimises rent arrears, while supporting residents living in temporary accommodation. Key Responsibilities Proactively manage a caseload of rent accounts, ensuring income is maximised and tenancies are sustained Engage with residents via telephone, home visits, and office interviews Support residents to maximise income and prevent financial exclusion Represent Lewisham Council in County Court possession proceedings Maintain accurate records, prepare legal documentation, and progress arrears cases in line with council policies Ensure all arrears recovery actions are completed within agreed timescales Attend evictions when required, completing inventories and arranging removals and storage of goods Work closely with external partners including Housing Benefit, DWP, Social Services, and Housing Options Liaise with internal teams to resolve issues such as disrepair, succession, or abandonment Meet individual and team performance targets relating to income collection and customer service Provide training and induction support to new staff and work placements Deliver excellent customer service at all times and take responsibility for personal development Comply with all Lewisham Council policies, including Health & Safety and Equality & DiversityKey Requirements Experience in temporary accommodation, income recovery, or housing management Strong knowledge of arrears recovery processes and tenancy sustainment Experience representing or supporting cases at County Court (desirable) Excellent communication and customer service skills Ability to manage a busy caseload in a performance-driven environment Strong organisational skills and attention to detail Experience working within a local authority or public sector housing service PLEASE NOTE: All applications are monitored and shortlisted candidates will be contacted via phone call or email