Private Rented Sector Liaison Officer job at Esher Full Time NEW

Our local authority client based in Esher are urgently seeking an experienced Private Rented Sector Liaison Officer.

*Hybrid working – 2 days in the office, 3 days remote

The main purpose of the role:

This is a time-limited specialist role (of expected duration between 6 to 12 months) responsible for the successful transition of landlords and tenants from the Council’s Guaranteed Rent Scheme to the new Rental Support Scheme (RSS). The role is focused on protecting tenancies wherever possible, maintaining accommodation for vulnerable households, and minimising the risk of avoidable homelessness during and following the transition period. The change in scheme may be challenging for some landlords, as guaranteed rental income comes to an end and is replaced by a one-off support payment, alongside the eventual conclusion of their contractual relationship with the Council. As a result, the role requires exceptional negotiation, diplomacy, influencing, and relationship-building skills to maintain landlord confidence, support tenants, and enable a smooth and managed transition. Where negotiation is unable to mitigate the risk of eviction, you will take a lead role in securing suitable alternative accommodation and coordinating planned moves and resettlement, ensuring households remain safely and appropriately housed.

Specific duties and responsibilities

1. Lead engagement with landlords during the phased closure of the Guaranteed Rent Scheme, providing clear, timely, and supportive communication throughout the transition to the Rental Support Scheme.

2. Explain the operation and implications of the Rental Support Scheme, addressing landlord concerns and promoting the benefits of continued partnership with the Council.

3. Promote the benefits of continued partnership with the Council, highlighting available support packages, ongoing advice, and opportunities to sustain stable and successful tenancies.

4. Act as the principal negotiator between landlords and tenants, working proactively to preserve existing tenancies through the renegotiation of rent levels, tenancy terms, durations, or property conditions where appropriate.

5. Act as the main point of contact and negotiator between landlords and tenants, working to sustain existing tenancies through negotiation of rents, terms, or conditions where appropriate.

Experience

• Demonstrable experience of working directly with the public, managing enquiries, and delivering effective frontline services.
• Experience working directly with the public, managing enquiries and delivering frontline services.
• Experience within the private rented sector, housing advice, or tenancy management.
• Experience negotiating with landlords, agents, or other stakeholders in situations of conflicting interests.
• Experience of managing challenging conversations and handling emotionally sensitive situations.
• Experience conducting tenancy sustainment, housing assessments, or resettlement activity

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including letters, reports, and negotiation summaries
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage calmly and professionally with individuals who may be distressed, challenging, or in crisis.
• Confident and effective negotiator, able to influence and work constructively with a wide range of stakeholders holding differing perspectives.
• Ability to work flexibly, independently, and under pressure in a time limited project environment
• Sound understanding of assured shorthold tenancies, changes due to the Renter’s Rights Act 2025, and landlord tenant legislation
• Competent IT user with experience updating multiple systems accurately
• Understanding of homelessness duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2016

Please apply with your updated CV ensuring that any gaps in employment are explained.

At this point, may we take this opportunity to thank you for the interest you have shown in this role. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not always possible to respond to everyone. Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 7 days, your application for this vacancy will have been unsuccessful.