Housing Officer

• Apr 2021 - Present

Housing Officer

• Sep 2020 - Apr 2021

Maintenance Officer

• May 2019 - Mar 2020

In my current role I have to carry out inspections of properties to a set timetable in order to authorise the Housing Executive’s Contractors to carry out necessary maintenance work. My role also includes conducting inspections to properties, again to a set timetable, in order that works done are of an acceptable standard and that payment for such work can be authorised. I am required to meet with tenants, external agencies and/or tenants’ representatives to advise them on maintenance issues/policies and their responsibilities for the maintenance of some items in their homes or to provide information on the progress of works their homes or the timeframes for such works to be done. I have to draw on deficiencies in the delivery of an effective maintenance service to the attention of the Contractor in the first instance in order that remedial action can be taken. To draw the above deficiencies to the attention of the District Maintenance Manager, if not resolved. Throughout the role I have to liaise with other Housing Executive staff, particularly those involved in allocation of homes, to ensure that houses vacated on changes of tenancy have necessary works done so that they can be re-let as soon as possible. To carry out PLIC walks/inspections, prepare associated reports and liaise with contractors and other Housing Executive staff to ensure cases are managed efficiently with a view to a swift resolution.

Tenancy support officer

• Nov 2018 - Apr 2019

My job role involved providing an effective customer focused tenancy support service to residents. This enabled them to maintain their tenancies and live independently within their homes. Some of the job duties include; undertaking key housing management tasks including responding to referrals and ensuring voids are kept to a minimum. I had to liaise with other agencies such as the Benefits Agency, utility providers, and where appropriate, I assisted with and attended reviews and appeal hearings. I Assisted with the safety and security of the dwellings utilised within the service and managing the impact of the clients on their local community. Planning budgets with clients to ensure rent is prioritised and reduce risk to loss of accommodation. It was always important to me to promote effective communication between South Ulster Housing Association and its residents and encourage opportunities for tenants’ participation, community development and the formation of residents’ associations/working groups. I also had to inform and support tenants through the changes of the welfare reform, the introduction of the bedroom tax

Housing Officer

• Aug 2018 - Sep 2018

My duties in Clanmil Housing were to engage with tenant’s face to face and over the phone to complete paperwork. I had to carry out estate inspections, successions and mutual exchanges. I was involved in tackling Low level ASB, escalating to specialist ASB team where necessary. I also carried out sign ups and fixed term tenancy agreements. I worked closely with helping clients live independently including assisting with appointments. The schemes I became familiar with were CAT 1 and Independent living. I also was highly evolved in transfer visits. The system I used UH Live and completed E-Learning.

Housing Officer

• Oct 2016 - Sep 2017

My role in the Housing Executive was to assess a customer’s circumstances by conducting interviews in a manner suitable to each person, undertaking visits to their homes/temporary accommodation, conducting enquiries and collecting information to understand their needs. On a daily basis I undertook comprehensive investigations and make robust legal decisions. I fulfilled duties under the Housing Order (NI) 1988 completing a full homelessness investigation, then writing to the applicant to inform them of the decision and their right to a review. Depending on need I arranged emergency accommodation, ensuring that any temporary accommodation that may be required under a full homelessness duty was provided. While also effectively managing a caseload to ensure that cases were prioritised to reduce the necessity for temporary accommodation admissions and limit the time customers spend in temporary accommodation. It was also important to follow safeguarding procedures and policies to ensure vulnerable children and adults with housing difficulties received the right services at the right time including attendance at case conferences when required. I was also responsible for void management including performance measures for re-lets within their ‘patch’. Patch Managers were responsible for all work relating to termination of tenancy. It included the “sign up” process and helping the customer seek the support necessary to move into their tenancy, visiting the customer in their home as necessary. I was held accountable for managing tenancies within the area I was responsible for. This included taking decisions and actions to resolve all issues in relation to ASB, occupation, squatters, tenancy fraud, confirmation of transition from introductory to secure tenancy, abandoned properties, non-occupation, scheme work, payments to customers, voids, and terminations.