Housing Officer (West London)

About us

Choosing to work at Stef & Philips is more about than just having a job. All members of our team share the same goal: to help improve the lives if vulnerable people around the UK by delivering safe, suitable homes and vital services for the homeless, back by investors who care. This people-centred ethos is reflected in our company culture; we prioritise wellbeing, inclusion, and opportunity for all.

Our journey so far

Stef & Philips began life in 2006 as a traditional family-run lettings agent, servicing private tenants and landlords in North London. But the UK’s urgent need for good quality social housing had a profound impact on our Founder and CEO, Chris Philippou. In 2012 he acted on that need, and we now operate UK-wide with over 4,300 accommodation units, 7,500 tenants and counting.

By bringing together private investors, local authorities, charities, and housing associations in as spirit of trust and a shared commitment to improving tenants’ lives, we’ve created a versatile, end-to-end model that delivers fit-for-purpose accommodation and services – a setting where people can begin to thrive again. Our full-service approach is unique. All work is carried out by dedicated in-house teams to ensure reliable, high-quality service.

The process begins with private or institutional investors looking for a positive social impact. Once we’ve helped them source and acquire the right property, our construction arm remodels and refurbishes it to our exacting quality standards. We also sign a lease with the investor to handle lettings, management, and maintenance, while protecting their capital and yields.

We believe everyone deserves a safe place to call home, right now though the UK’s housing crisis is getting worse, with homelessness forecast to double over the next 25 years. We’re committed to changing that trend, combining profit with purpose.

Our roots as a family business remain at the core of who we are, as do the values that go with it, and our commitment to help vulnerable people get the housing help they need.

The Role

A Housing Officer is a key role within Stef & Philips, supporting our tenants from their initial check-in to the point that they move on from our accommodation. You'll also oversee the condition of our properties, working with colleagues to deal with maintenance issues. Our housing officers impact the lives of our tenants and provide expert advice and guidance on accessing broader support from local authorities and agencies such as social services and benefit providers.

It's a very rewarding role in an organisation where your efforts will be recognised and valued.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• To provide basic maintenance services and adjustments when needed

• Provide basic cleaning in properties

• Conduct regular tenant visits, updating company systems including Salesforce, in line with Stef & Philips procedures, including:

• Scheduled periodic inspection visits

• Maintenance visits, reporting issues in line with Stef & Philips procedures to enable prompt resolution, and checking and recording details of repair work carried out by third party contractors

• Dealing with complaints, and following up to ensure that they have been addressed appropriately

• Health and Safety inspections

• Support departments with check in and check out inspections

• Reporting any anti-social behavior, investigating the cause, and liaising with third party agents if required

• Liaising with the Utility department and obtaining meter reads

• Assessing service user’s suitability for properties

• Carrying out customer satisfaction surveys

• Liaising with partners in supporting tenants throughout their tenancy (occupational therapist/ hospitals/ case workers/ social worker/ local police/ neighbourhood watch/ local authorities etc)

• Maintain a safe working environment

• Report all incidents or potential hazards

• When lone working, adhere to the Service Level Guidelines at all times, ensuring any concerns are raised as appropriate

• Maintain good working knowledge of company policies, and ensure they are followed at all times

• Participate in development reviews

• On occasion you will be required to complete ad hoc tasks as authorised by your line manager or leadership team.

Skills & Knowledge

• An ability to demonstrate the core values of Stef & Philips

• Knowledge and practice in housing and tenancy management support

• Knowledge of the housing benefits system and welfare reform in a supported housing environment

• Experience working with vulnerable people with support, care needs and homelessness

• Computer literate

• Knowledge of Microsoft office packages, particularly Word and Excel

• Good interpersonal skills

• Good communication skills (written and verbal)

• Ability to prioritise and manage own workload, time and travel

• Excellent organisational skills

• Accurate recording skills

• Good problem solving skills

• Experience in managing maintenance issues and scheduling

• Flexible, approachable, positive and enthusiastic

• Driving licence

Desirable Skills/ Qualifications

• Experience working within the temporary accommodation sector

Benefits

• 23 days leave, plus bank holidays

• Additional holiday days for long service – up to 30 days

• Celebration of tenure

o   3 years £500

o   5 years £1000

o   10 years £5000

• Private health insurance with Vitality

• Birthday off

• One well-being day off per year

• Maternity/Paternity Pay

• Pension schemes increase – after 2 years.

• Professional Emergency First Aid at work training

• £500 referral scheme for staff who refer a new employee, paid upon passing probation.

• Company payday lunch