Accommodation Manager

Seven Resourcing are looking for an Accommodation Manager to work in Hammersmith & Fulham. This position is initially for a period of 4 months and is paying between £35.57ph PAYE. This role is full time Monday to Friday 9am -5pm.

The role:

deliver a good supply of suitable, well maintained temporary accommodation, overseeing the procurement and renewal of accommodation to fulfil this, and managing contracts with suppliers across all accommodation types rigorously, effectively and a legal, ethical and accountable manner.

To have overall responsibility for the management of all forms of temporary accommodation including repairs, voids, landlord liaison, lettings, tenancy management and related areas; ensuring health and safety standards are met in all properties and that officers are trained in all aspects of health and safety, in line with all current legislation and health and safety laws and regulations.

To develop and sustain effective relationships with stakeholders and property providers to ensure demand facilitates supply, by taking responsibility for budgets and related accounts, by being ruthlessly financially efficient in assisting to lead a property procurement and temporary accommodation service, by addressing the demand for accommodation, providing managerial reports, statistical data and updates as required.

To deputise for the Property & Place Manager & other Managers in Housing Solutions service area.

Key Responsibilities:

To be responsible for the direct line management of staff including; the recruitment, induction, and work allocation so as to ensure adequate levels of service and support are maintained at all times and facilitating and evaluation of training and development needs, operating the Council’s grievance, disciplinary, appraisal, performance and sickness absence and other Corporate and Departmental procedures when required.

To oversee customer focus and the highest standards of professional practice in delivering and maintaining an understanding of the customer base and its requirements to help develop and improve services, integrating good practice with the service delivery model, managing customer expectations of the service always seeking to meet or exceed those expectations and resolving customer complaints effectively.

Promote a culture where diversity and inclusion are valued and harnessed to the benefit of customers and employees, by communicating effectively internally and externally with stakeholders and customers; setting out the Council’s vision and always engaging with integrity; working collaboratively with partners to deliver business objectives.

To deliver on all key performance and service standard indicators set for the Temporary Accommodation and Procurement service, ensuring all functions in relation to procurement and management are carried out; agreeing HoT’s, service level agreements and ensuring legal processes are followed in procuring stock, lease renewals, handbacks, pay outs against the bond guarantee scheme, etc.

To be responsible for managing and responding to Members’ enquiries and customer complaints within departmental, corporate, and legislative timescales and procedures, including written and verbal briefings and reports for senior management, Councillors, Members of Parliament, solicitors, and other statutory and non-statutory agencies.

To maintain a detailed knowledge of relevant housing legislation, landlord and tenant legislation and the Housing Acts 1985, 1988, 1996 and subsequent or relevant statutes, case law and Council policy relating to the management and provision of temporary accommodation, including advising the Property & Place Manager on legislative changes impacting on the service, including property prices and economic influences.

Ensure value for money and a commercial approach to service delivery, managing risk effectively whilst empowering staff to take decisions, innovate and resolve issues; supporting innovation and ideas aimed at improving performance. 

To prevent homelessness and cost avoidance into temporary accommodation, by delivering good quality private rented accommodation; ensuring tenancy sustainment;  in line with contractual requirements, reaching out to new and existing suppliers, agents and landlords to increase affordable supply in the private sector to enable the council to end its homelessness duties; by maintaining up to date knowledge of the subsequent statutory changes, compliance with Code of Guidance and legal position with regard to discharge of duty, suitability, and acceptance of private rented sector (PRSO’s) offers as part of the TA Reduction Programme.

To manage budgets relevant to property procurement and temporary accommodation team ensuring best value and financial efficiency at all times.  In collaboration with colleagues in the Finance department, developing and managing profit and loss accounts and exploring new revenue streams as appropriate. To control the repairs budget and play a role in setting the budget.

To implement measures for effective move-on from costly temporary accommodation into affordable private rented accommodation in and out of the borough via Capital Letters, West London OOL Project and social lets via Homefinder; ensuring void properties are let efficiently, minimising the use of costly nightly accommodation and deal with Move-on ‘blockages’ within the system.

To manage the work of all temporary accommodation teams including repairs, Hostels and tenancy management in providing accessible and quality services to tenants and cost effective use of properties for the Council, ensuring that income is maximised, expenditure minimised and minimising use of bed and breakfast accommodation and nightly accommodation at all times.

To prevent abuses of process by landlords and to maintain an awareness of landlord fraud. To liaise with the Corporate Anti-Fraud Service (CAFS) in cases where prima facie abuses are identified and assist in the investigation and prosecution of cases as appropriate.

To manage breaches of tenancy conditions including nuisance, racial or sexual harassment, domestic violence, threats to the wellbeing and safety of   occupants and any other form of anti-social behaviour to ensure appropriate management action against perpetrators, or transfers and emergency placement for persons with an essential need to move.  To initiate legal action against tenants as appropriate, to liaise with other keys teams in the Housing Solutions Service to ensure coordinated action and to represent the Council in the relevant courts as required. To prepare cases for legal proceedings and provide instructions to the legal team relating to claims through the disrepair protocol and litigation claims.

Provide detailed and robust technical support to the directorate on private sector property standards and manage service delivery to address dilapidation and disrepair, provide advice to Landlords and stakeholders on repairs, deal with insurance claims and conduct void works inspections.

To work with the Property & Place Manager to manage the budgets for procurement services, PSL, Hostels and Repairs ensuring authorisation of invoices, monitoring maintenance programmes and assisting with budget setting for each financial year, identifying savings in all areas.

To work with the Property & Place Manager to develop and implement procedures, projects and initiatives designed to improve the effectiveness of the service, liaising with external agencies as necessary, and advising on practical changes in the context of improving service delivery and fulfilling the Housing Strategy.

Applicant Requirements:

Experience: 2 years’ experience in a similar role.

Compliance: 3 years references.

Travel: Clean UK driving license with the ability to commute to and from work independently.

Hours: 37 hours p/w.

Working with Seven Social Care:

We have been helping social care professionals find exciting new roles for almost a decade, so we know exactly where to look when it comes to sourcing the best opportunities. We operate across the UK, and, with over 300 five-star reviews, multiple awards, and amazing relationships with the biggest employers in UK social care, we give you the best chance of landing your next role.

We have a reputation for recruiting at lightning speed, however, we can only respond to candidates who meet the exact requirements of the position. If you have any queries about a role or application, please visit our website where our amazing candidate support team will be more than happy to help.