Private Rented Sector Officer

Temporary Contract

Job Details

Client: Elmbridge Borough Council
Service Area: Housing Services / Private Rented Sector and Temporary Accommodation

Hours: 36 hours per week

Working Pattern:
Office based for the first few weeks for training.
Ongoing working pattern to be confirmed.

Start Date: 07 July 2026
Duration: 12 weeks

Location

Office Base:
Civic Centre
Esher High Street
Esher
Surrey
KT10 9SD

Pay

£21.52 per hour

Job Overview

Elmbridge Borough Council is seeking an experienced Private Rented Sector Officer to support the delivery of the Council's Rental Support Scheme.

The scheme helps households who are homeless or at risk of homelessness move into safe and suitable private rented accommodation. The successful candidate will work with landlords, letting agents, tenants, prospective tenants and partner agencies to secure and sustain private rented sector tenancies, reduce temporary accommodation use and prevent homelessness.

This role requires strong private rented sector knowledge, landlord engagement experience, negotiation skills, housing advice experience, welfare benefits knowledge and the ability to carry out property inspections and tenancy-related casework.

Important – Please Read Carefully

This role requires experience in private rented sector housing, landlord/letting agent engagement, housing advice, tenancy sustainment and homelessness prevention.

Candidates must hold a full valid UK driving licence and must be able to undertake property visits and inspections.

A Basic DBS is required.

Candidates without housing, PRS access, tenancy management, landlord negotiation, property inspection or homelessness prevention experience are unlikely to be considered.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the day-to-day delivery of the Council's Rental Support Scheme
Secure and sustain private rented accommodation for households who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
Build and maintain relationships with private landlords and letting agents
Source new private rented property supply within and outside the borough
Promote landlord incentive offers, deposit alternatives and enhanced support packages
Plan and deliver landlord outreach and promotional activity
Negotiate rent and tenancy terms with landlords and agents
Act as a broker between landlords, agents and prospective tenants
Manage property onboarding, viewings, inventories and tenancy documentation
Prepare tenancy agreements using e-signature tools where required
Ensure accurate deposit protection processes are followed
Maintain accurate case records across housing systems
Produce monthly and quarterly performance and lettings reports
Work with Temporary Accommodation colleagues to match households to suitable PRS properties
Carry out tenancy check-ins, check-outs and renewals
Conduct property inspections to assess safety, suitability and compliance
Advise landlords on property standards and required remedial works
Ensure compliance with landlord and tenant legislation, PRS standards and safety certification requirements
Prepare schedules of works and inventories
Manage deposit returns and support dispute resolution
Support tenants with Housing Benefit, Universal Credit and Discretionary Housing Payments
Intervene early to prevent tenancy breakdown
Mediate between tenants and landlords where required
Support move-on pathways from temporary accommodation into PRS housing
Work with internal teams including Revenues & Benefits and Legal
Work with external partners including DWP and voluntary sector organisations
Monitor KPIs including lets achieved, tenancy sustainment, landlord retention, arrears and temporary accommodation reduction
Oversee tenancy-related financial processes including deposits, incentive payments, arrears monitoring, repayment plans and debt recovery
Support Afghan and Ukrainian households with tenancy issues, move-on planning and access to long-term accommodation

Essential Experience & Skills

Experience dealing with the public face to face and by telephone
Experience delivering a frontline customer-focused service
Experience of private rented sector housing, housing advice or tenancy sustainment
Experience carrying out administrative duties accurately
Experience influencing and negotiating successfully
Good understanding of PRS tenancy requirements
Good understanding of health and safety, compliance and regulation in rented residential properties
Working knowledge of welfare benefits and help with housing costs
Understanding of homelessness prevention and housing options
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Ability to write letters, reports and case notes
IT literate with good keyboard skills
Ability to use a range of software packages
Flexible approach and ability to work on own initiative
Ability to work as part of a team
Strong interpersonal skills
Ability to deal with challenging behaviour professionally
Good negotiation skills with the ability to protect the Council's financial interest
Commitment to equal opportunities and customer care
Ability to start work at 8:45am as necessary or on rota
Full valid UK driving licence

Qualifications

Essential:
GCSE or equivalent.

Desirable

Significant experience of the private sector lettings market
Detailed knowledge of legal requirements for private rented tenancies
Understanding of the Council's duties to homeless households under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2016
Understanding of Housing Act 1996 duties where a main duty is accepted
Access to own vehicle for visits and property inspections
Experience using housing systems
Experience working with landlords, letting agents and temporary accommodation teams
Experience supporting Afghan, Ukrainian or resettlement households
Experience managing deposits, arrears, incentive payments or repayment plans

Additional Information

This post requires a Basic DBS check.

Office based for the first few weeks for training.

Interview will be held online via Microsoft Teams and is expected to last approximately 45 minutes.