Closing date - 12th February 2023
Interview date - 27th February 2023

This post will be subject to a DBS check. 

Do you have previous experience working in a customer facing role in a social housing environment?  If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you.

Winchester City Council is looking for a Homeownership Officer who will support the Homeownership Services Manager to provide a professional housing management service to the Authorities homeownership portfolio ensuring obligations of the leases/transfers and the statutory obligations of the applicable Acts are met.

Key Responsibilities:

The key responsibilities of a Homeownership Officer include, but are not limited to:

• First point of contact for RTB applicants, shared owners, leaseholders, Partnered Home Purchase, Assured Short hold Tenants and freeholders
• To be responsible for processing notice of charge, notice of assignment, deed of covenant and applications for landlord's consent
• Preparing responses to pre-assignment and re-mortgage enquiries and the administration of completion statements ensuring that service charge revenue is secured
• Calculate S125 service charge and improvement costs for all new RTB sales for approval by the Homeownership Services Manager.
• To generate, calculate and process direct debits and accounting adjustments for homeownership accounts on Orchard and process any unpaid direct debits in line with set policies and procedures
• Process lease extensions and liaise with valuers and both external and internal solicitors
• Assist the Homeownership Services Manager in the annual calculation of estimated and actual service charges
• To undertake day to day administration for homeownership management as required
• To issue annual notices and market valuations for all shared ownership and leasehold properties in line with current legislation
• To assist with the implementation and management of policies and procedures for homeownership services

The Company

Winchester City Council manages a wide variety of services. We have responsibility for planning, housing, waste collection, Council Tax and Business Rates collection, leisure services, tourism, benefits administration and many more services.

The Benefits

• Employer paid health cash plan
• Salary sacrifice scheme for cars and bikes
• Casual car user allowance
• Discounts at a range of major high street brands and the two leisure centres in the district
• 25 days annual leave per year (pro rata) rising to 32 days - dependent on length of service
• Flexible working arrangements
• 13 days additional flexi leave per year (subject to operational requirements)
• Option to buy up to 5 days additional annual leave
• Free parking (subject to contract)
• Membership to the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Support for continuous professional development

The Person

The key skills and qualities of a Homeownership Officer are:

• Professional Certificate and or Diploma in Housing or equivalent qualification.
• Educated to A Level standard (or equivalent)
• Excellent written and numeracy skills
• At least two years’ experience working in a customer facing role
• At least two years’ experience working in a social housing environment
• Must be able to meet the travel requirements of the post