Private Lettings Officer

Job Description

Private Lettings Officer Salary: £33,531 - £38,052 per annum Grade D Permanent Contract 37 Hours per Week About the Role
As a Private Lettings Officer your role will be to secure private rented accommodation that is of a good standard and represents good value for money for the use of homeless households.

Working under the general direction of the team managers you will develop a focused, comprehensive approach to working with the private rented sector, to increase the options available to the Council for reducing and preventing homelessness by maximising the supply and use of private rented sector housing, including the administration of any of the Council’s private rent schemes.

The key duties of a Private Lettings Officer will be:

• To liaise with all key services, where necessary, including building control service, planning service, and council tax/finance services, to ensure all relevant approvals and permissions exist for the properties to be used.
• To provide an effective service relating to the Move-on Programme to ensure private sector accommodation is available to meet on-going demand to determine the best options and resources available on a case-by-case basis
• To be responsible for the monitoring and management of performance within the area of responsibility, ensuring that internal and external standards are met and improved upon with the aim of achieving high resident satisfaction.
• To provide advice and assistance to landlords and agents and other property owners about the Council’s rent and deposit schemes for homeless households.
• To administer the Council’s rent guarantee scheme to enable customers to get access to the private rented sector such as rent deposit scheme in accordance with approved policy and procedure, negotiating with regard to rent levels and applicable terms under the schemes. Ensures that all associated records are updated promptly. Recommends revised or new policies and procedures to the Senior Temporary Accommodation and Private Sector Officer to improve service delivery.
• To negotiate with private landlord and lettings agents about the rent payable and applicable terms under the rent and deposit guarantee scheme.
• To be responsible for the inspection of properties under the rent and deposit guarantee scheme, maintain a written and photographic record of the property condition throughout the life of the arrangement, carrying out sign ups and exit visits at the property.
• To ensure that private rented accommodation reaches the standard set under the Housing Act 2004. To seek guidance from the Private housing team where the property condition and or landlord’s conduct give cause for concern.
• To ensure that a regular tenancy check is carried out with the landlord/agent and the tenant is contacted where they do not appear to be fulfilling their tenancy conditions.
• To negotiate with landlords to keep individuals in their own homes so preventing homelessness.
• To advise the team managers of any suggested changes to any private sector schemes
• To devise and participate in any information and or schemes to publicise the rent and deposit guarantee scheme.
• Ensures that residents in the Council’s full range of temporary accommodation are aware of the assistance available to them and the circumstances under which the Council can discharge its statutory homelessness duty into the private rented sector.
• To participate in any other housing options as requested to do so by the Temporary Accommodation & private Sector Manager.
• In the absence of the temporary accommodation officer to manage and inspect temporary accommodation and liaise with the management of the Council’s homeless hostel.
• Liaises with the Temporary Accommodation Officers to identify barriers that are preventing households in the Council’s full range of temporary accommodation from moving into private rented accommodation, such as a previous poor tenancy history and ensures that support is provided to address these barriers, (working in partnership with other statutory or voluntary agencies where necessary).
• Works in a proactive and positive way to market the benefit of private rented accommodation to homeless households residing in the council’s full range of temporary accommodation. Acts as an advocate for households looking to move into private rented accommodation.
• Ensures that residents in the Council’s full range of temporary accommodation are aware of the assistance available to them and the circumstances under which the Council can discharge its statutory homelessness duty into the private rented sector.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone who has:

• A working knowledge of the management and maintenance and residential accommodation.
• Knowledge of the Housing Act 2004.
• At least one year's experience of letting private rented accommodation in a commercial setting.
• At least one year's experience of inspecting accommodation and completing inventories.
• At least one year's experience of managing tenants and ensuring obligations are fulfilled.
• You will need a full driving licence and use of a car as you will need to be able to visit members of the public in their own homes.

DBS: At Basic Level is required for this post.

Benefits of Working with Us

At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
• Staff discounts and local offers
• A supportive and inclusive working environment

Important Dates

Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 2nd April 2026

Closing Date (Internal & External): 19th April 2026

Interview Date: To Be Confirmed

Additional Information

If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact:

Nicole Bugelli - Senior Temporary Accommodation & Private Lettings Officer

NBugelli@thurrock.gov.uk

To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below:

Download Job Profile (PDF Document)

About us

Why Thurrock?

Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve.

Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead.

This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.

Our location

Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents.

We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes.

Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.

Staff benefits

We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.

Further information can be found here Employment benefits | Working for the council | Thurrock Council

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification.

We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.

For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website: Thurrock Council