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housing-review-officer-templondon
8 Days Old
This is a highly specialist role requiring in-depth housing law knowledge, strong decision-making capability, and the confidence to manage legal challenges, appeals, and judicial reviews while delivering a high-quality, customer-focused service.
Location: London
Rate: £26-27 PAYE
Flexibility: Hybrid
Key Responsibilities
Statutory Reviews & Decision Making
- Lead and conduct statutory homelessness reviews under s.202 Housing Act 1996, including decisions on acceptance of duty, suitability of temporary and permanent accommodation, and discharge or cessation of duty.
- Conduct s.166A reviews relating to Housing Register decisions and respond to legal challenges concerning the Council’s Housing Allocations Scheme.
- Certify what housing duty is owed to applicants and determine how that duty should be discharged in line with legislation, case law, policy, and procedure.
- Make and notify robust statutory decisions, including decisions on s.188(3) interim accommodation, supported by appropriate risk assessments.
- Respond to legal challenges and appeals under s.204 Housing Act 1996 and judicial review proceedings.
- Liaise closely with Legal Services, instruct Counsel where required, provide evidence, and attend Court as necessary.
- Maintain a detailed and current understanding of relevant case law, national policy developments, and welfare reform impacting housing decisions.
- Interview applicants, carry out detailed enquiries, assess evidence, and evaluate the reasonableness of decisions in line with legislation and guidance.
- Maintain accurate case records, databases, file notes, and documentation, ensuring statutory timescales are met.
- Prepare clear, comprehensive decision letters and correspondence suitable for legal scrutiny.
- Provide expert advice and respond to correspondence from Councillors, MPs, solicitors, advocates, partner agencies, and senior officers.
- Work collaboratively with Housing Advice, Allocations, Temporary Accommodation teams, and external agencies, including undertaking joint assessments where required.
- Prepare reports on review volumes, outcomes, and statutory compliance, making recommendations for service improvement.
- Identify training needs arising from legal developments and deliver training to officers and managers.
- Compile and update training materials and represent the service at relevant forums and legal briefings.
- Identify potential abuse of process and housing fraud, liaising with the Corporate Anti-Fraud Service where necessary.
- Ensure all actions align with the Council’s Climate and Ecological Emergency declaration.
- Deputise for the Housing Review Manager and Housing Advice/Homelessness Managers as required.
- Undertake other duties consistent with the role as required.
Essential Knowledge & Experience
- Detailed working knowledge of Housing Act 1996 (Parts VI & VII), Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, Homelessness (Review Procedure etc.) Regulations 2018, and the Homelessness Code of Guidance.
- Strong understanding of homelessness case law and the ability to apply it confidently to statutory reviews.
- Working knowledge of:
- Housing Allocations Schemes
- Welfare benefits and welfare reform
- Immigration and eligibility rules
- Landlord & tenant law and security of tenure
- Asylum and persons from abroad legislation
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal issues clearly to a wide range of stakeholders.
- Proven ability to draft robust statutory decision letters, legal reports, and briefings capable of withstanding legal challenge.
- Strong analytical and investigative skills with sound professional judgement.
- Ability to manage a complex caseload, prioritise effectively, and meet strict statutory deadlines under pressure.
- Confident working independently with minimal supervision while contributing positively to team and service objectives.
- High standards of organisation, administration, presentation, and negotiation.
If you are an experienced Housing Review Officer with a strong command of housing and homelessness law and the confidence to make legally robust decisions that stand up to challenge, we want to hear from you.
This is an excellent opportunity to play a key role in a high-impact statutory service, influence best practice, and make a real difference to residents’ lives.
- Location:
- London
- Salary:
- £26 - £27 per hour
- Job Type:
- FullTime
