Housing officer

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

University

You could complete a foundation degree or degree in:

• housing studies
• social policy
• building surveying

Entry requirements:

• at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You can do a college course like the Level 2 or 3 Certificate in Housing Practice.

Entry requirements:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You can take a housing property assistant intermediate apprenticeship and then a housing and property management advanced apprenticeship.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Work

You may be able to start as a housing or admin assistant and work your way up. You could do this through on-the-job training leading to a qualification like the Level 2 or 3 Certificate in Housing Practice, offered by the Chartered Institute of Housing .

Volunteering

You may find it helpful to get some experience with a housing charity or local tenants' association.

See Do-it and NCVO for information on voluntary opportunities in your area.

DirectApplication

You may be able to apply to a local authority or housing association for a place on a graduate training scheme, if you have a degree.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• customer service skills
• business management skills
• administration skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of economics and accounting
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to use your initiative
• knowledge of English language
• excellent verbal communication skills
• active listening skills
• the ability to read English
• thinking and reasoning skills
• leadership skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• excellent written communication skills
• maths skills
• concentration skills
• a good memory

What you'll do:

Housing officers look after rented properties for local authorities and housing associations.

You will:

• assess the needs of people applying for housing
• give people vacant accommodation
• carry out regular inspections
• deal with anti-social behaviour and broken tenancy agreements
• refer people to advice on benefits and welfare
• set rents and deal with payments and arrears
• gather statistical information and prepare reports
• attend meetings
• arrange for things like broken lifts and boilers to be repaired
• work with other agencies like social services

Location : You could work at a client's home or in an office.

Salary:

Starter : £21,000
Experienced : £35,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 39 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings attending events or appointments

Career Path:

With experience you could specialise in an area of housing like homelessness or anti-social behaviour.

You could also move into management and become a senior housing officer, regional manager, head of service or director.