Housing Advisor

Middlesbrough, Teesside, United Kingdom

We are a full-service law firm based in Middlesbrough serving clients throughout the UK and further afield. We have an outstanding reputation for delivering high-quality advice with exceptional personal service.

With a history stretching back over 30 years, we recognise the importance of the contribution that businesses like ours should and can have to the local community and we, therefore, encourage our employees to get involved and give back to the local community in which we live and work.

Our vision is to set the standard for legal excellence & deliver justice for the people and in doing so, to become the law firm of choice & champion of the community for businesses, organisations and individuals.  To meet our vision and deliver an outstanding service we employ individuals who understand our client’s needs and take pride in what they do and how they do it.  Our values go to the heart of the firm.  They define who we are and how we work.  By remaining true to our values, we will achieve our vision.  This is what we value most:

·         Teamwork – we trust and respect one another. We see strength in our diversity as individuals and as a practice. We achieve the best outcomes for clients when we work collaboratively, recognizing and respecting the different perspectives that we bring.

·         Excellent Client Service – We take the time to truly understand our clients’ needs and aim to provide practical, tailored and commercial solutions – not just options – to help them achieve their goals.

·         Professionalism – We work to the highest professional and technical standards, acting with the upmost integrity at all times. We are fiercely proud of our reputation as a trusted adviser to our clients, often over several generations, and continually strive to ensure that our client’s interests come first and foremost.

·         Our People – We work together to create an open, supportive and friendly working environment where our people feel valued, can develop their careers and achieve their professional ambitions.

If this sounds like a vision you would like to be a part of, our values resonate with your own personal values, and you meet the requirements of the role described, we’d be delighted to hear from you. 

 The Role

We are looking to recruit a Housing Advisor to join our growing Housing Department. This is a permanent role on a full-time basis. You will report to the Head of Department. The purpose of this role is to provide advice and information service for housing-related issues for tenants and homeowners by answering front and back door calls, keeping accurate records and ensuring that file progress is made.

Key aspects of the role include:

•         Answer all front and back - door calls
•          Meet all KPI requirements (calls to be answered within 30 seconds)
•          Correctly identify relevant areas of law
•          Provide advice on a range of housing issues
•          Answer and attend all back door call enquiries (complying with KPI requirements
•         Identify all key dates / produce clear and concise notes
•          Meet conversion targets (Determination V LFF)
•         Accurately update system notes appropriately.
•          Support administrators in completing 7/14-day reviews if required to do so
•          Perform initial eligibility checks

This list of duties is not intended to be exhaustive but gives a general indication of the tasks involved. All employees are expected to work flexibly when the occasions arise and acknowledge that tasks not specifically covered in their job description are not excluded.

Knowledge & Experience 

•         Experience using case management systems and the processes involved
•          Experience and knowledge of housing law, including but not limited to homelessness and allocations, security of tenure and possession proceedings, rights following relationship breakdown and disrepair
•          Experience working with vulnerable people to address homelessness, including those with complex/ multiple needs and assessing their accommodation and support needs
•          Experience in debt management/money advice is desirable
•          Experience in multi-agency working

•         Excellent use of IT and Microsoft packages

•          Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
•         Exceptional client service skills
•          The ability to work effectively as part of a team

Qualifications

•          Educated to GCSE standard or equivalent
•         Degree level qualification in a related subject or professional qualification is housing and /or completed LPC is advantageous

What we will offer in return

• Competitive Salary depending on experience
• Company pension scheme
• 33 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays
• Discretionary annual bonus scheme
• Professional membership payments
• Professional development
• Employee referral scheme
• Christmas Savings Club
• Notable day treats
• Company events through the year