Occupancy Officer

Client

Local Authority in Ealing

Job Title

Temporary Accommodation Compliance Officer

Pay Rate

£23.72 an hour PAYE

Hours

35 hours Mon to Fri (09:00:AM - 05:00:PM)

Duration

Initial 3 Month Contract

Location

Description

PURPOSE OF ROLE:

• To investigate allegations of housing fraud against the services managed by the Housing Demand Service, including housing registration, homelessness, allocations and lettings and temporary accommodation. This includes the investigation of suspected fraudulent applications, illegal occupancy, temporary accommodation usage, sub-letting and residency, collusion and landlord fraud.
• To develop a service plan for tackling housing fraud
• To develop procedures for the role and to ensure that these are implemented in line with statutory guidance and criminal legislation.
• To progress cases though to prosecution where necessary in liaison with Legal Services
• To achieve strategic performance targets consistently and to complete investigations in line with best practice and on a timely basis.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• To undertake quality fraud investigations, to ensure that cases are followed through to their conclusion, obtaining and securing evidence, establishing whether an offence has been committed, initiating court action and representing the Council in court.
• Pre visit checks via OHMS, Housing benefit and council tax records (please see page 2 for more detailed information in relation to systems used)
• Safety risk checks and maintaining high awareness of potential risks during visits
• Collecting relevant information during the visit and recording it within DPA guidelines
• Encouraging tenants to find work and more affordable accommodation
• Arranging access to properties where intelligence indicates it is not being used as a main home.
• Dynamic risk assessment before entering a property
• Cancelling accommodation that is not being used /abandoned or sublet
• Updating databases and spreadsheets with new information
• Passing disrepair issues, change in household or circumstances onto colleagues for action

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Experience of working in a Housing Service and investigating allegations of housing fraud
• Experience of liaising with colleagues in Internal Audit and Legal Services
• Experience of use MS word, excel, access, electronic diary, presentation and e-mail applications, the intranet and Internet and bespoke business systems to maintain and update records, produce management information and performance statistical data
• An up to date working knowledge of relevant legislation in relation to fraud in housing
• Experience in either a housing or a fraud environment

1. Must have knowledge on the Housing Act 1996
2. Must have knowledge on Temporary Accommodation.

Must have a car and willing to use the car to complete expected daily visits.

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