Income Recovery Specialist

Income Recovery Officer
Location: Reading
Contract: 12 Week Contract
Pay Rate: £18.45 per hour (PAYE)
About the Role
We are currently recruiting for an Income Recovery Officer to join a busy Housing team on a 12-week contract based in Reading. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced housing professional with a strong background in income recovery, arrears management, and tenancy sustainment.
You will play a key role in reducing rent arrears, supporting customers to maintain their tenancies, and ensuring income is recovered through effective case management, customer engagement, and legal action where appropriate.
Key Responsibilities

• Take proactive action to minimise rent arrears and prevent debt escalation.
• Manage a weekly caseload of rent arrears, ensuring timely and effective recovery action.
• Contact customers through a variety of methods, including telephone, digital channels, and home visits.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records within the Housing Management System.
• Support customers to maximise their income through benefits, employment, and financial advice referrals.
• Work closely with internal teams and external agencies including the DWP, Housing Benefit, debt advice services, Citizens Advice, and local authorities.
• Arrange direct benefit payments where appropriate, including Housing Benefit and Universal Credit.
• Prepare legal documentation and represent the organisation at court hearings relating to rent arrears and possession proceedings.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, Pre-Action Protocols, homelessness prevention duties, and organisational policies.
• Monitor former tenant arrears and take appropriate recovery action.
• Provide guidance and mentoring to colleagues where required.
• Represent the organisation at local partnership meetings and attend occasional evening or weekend meetings as necessary.
• Keep up to date with changes in housing legislation, welfare benefits, and best practice.

About You
To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Previous experience in income recovery, rent arrears management, or housing management.
• Good knowledge of housing legislation, welfare benefits, and arrears recovery processes.
• Experience working in a customer-focused, target-driven environment.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills with the ability to engage positively with customers.
• Experience preparing legal documentation and attending court proceedings.
• Knowledge of support services such as the DWP, Housing Benefit, Social Services, Citizens Advice, Jobcentre Plus, and local support organisations.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and housing management systems.
• Excellent written and numerical skills.
• A full UK driving licence and access to transport, or the ability to travel efficiently to customer visits and meetings.

Additional Information

• Location: Reading
• Contract: 12 Weeks
• Pay: £18.45 per hour (PAYE)
• A Basic DBS check is required for this role.

If you're an experienced Income Recovery professional looking for your next contract opportunity, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today!