Location
London Borough of Redbridge, Lynton House

Hours
Full Time - Fixed term contract for 6 months

Salary
£40,575 per annum

About the Role
Reporting to the Rent Specialist Support Manager, the Court Officer will play a key role in the escalation and management of rent arrears cases for both secure council tenants and residents living in temporary accommodation. You will be part of a dedicated team of two Court Officers, ensuring that all recovery action is compliant with internal procedures, statutory requirements and relevant legislation. The team is responsible for preparing and presenting housing possession cases at court, managing high-volume caseloads that have progressed beyond the transactional stage of recovery.

Working closely with the Rent Collection Team, the Rent Specialist Support Team and other key stakeholders, you will support the smooth transition of cases through the recovery process and manage your own caseload through to resolution, including possession action and eviction where appropriate. Throughout this process, you will maintain a customer-focused approach, helping to maximise rent collection while supporting residents to sustain their tenancies wherever possible.

About Redbridge
Redbridge is an ambitious, diverse and exciting East London borough. Everything we do is driven by our commitment to strengthening relationships with local people and supporting our vision for the borough. We have developed innovative approaches to building stronger communities and transforming the way we deliver services.

We are one of the fastest-growing areas in the country and the third most diverse borough in London. Our residents are attracted by a combination of excellent schools, relatively affordable housing, high-quality green spaces, and outstanding transport links into central London.

The Opportunity
This is an exciting time to join Redbridge Council. We are seeking an enthusiastic and talented Court Officer to join our Rent Service, supporting our vision of securing sustainable housing solutions through partnership working and customer-focused service delivery.

Experience
- Rent recovery background and/or comprehensive knowledge of rent recovery processes and procedures for both secure council tenants and those in temporary accommodation.
- Experience of preparing and presenting housing possession cases at court (legal qualifications are not required but would be desirable).
- Detailed understanding of the Pre-Action Protocol for Social Housing Claims and in-depth knowledge of relevant housing legislation, including welfare benefits, debt recovery and welfare reform.
- Experience of casework and decision-making.
- Experience of building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external partners and agencies.

About You
- Motivated and customer-focused individual who works collaboratively as part of a team.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Excellent time management and organisational skills.
- Good understanding and practical knowledge of GDPR and associated legislation.
- Ability to demonstrate empathy and resilience, recognising that many cases can be complex and emotionally challenging.
- Treats all customers with fairness, dignity and respect, reflecting the Council's values and commitment to excellent customer service.
- A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle would be desirable to support travel requirements but is not essential.

Qualifications
- Legal qualifications are not required but would be desirable.
- Full training and ongoing support will be provided.
- We welcome applications from candidates with strong transferable skills and relevant experience, even if they have not worked directly within rent recovery, provided they can demonstrate the knowledge, behaviours and aptitude required for the role.
- Above all, a positive attitude, strong work ethic and genuine commitment to delivering excellent outcomes for residents.