Housing Allocations Officer (9 Month Fixed Term Contract)

Job Introduction Are you passionate about helping residents access safe, secure homes? Do you thrive in a role where every day brings the opportunity to make a genuine difference? We are looking for a Housing Allocations Officer to help deliver a high‑quality housing allocations and homeless prevention service. This role is key to supporting residents who need help with housing, making sure homes are let fairly, efficiently and in line with the Council’s housing allocations policy and legal duties. You will work closely with applicants, tenants, colleagues and partner organisations to make sure people receive the right advice and outcomes at the right time. You will also support the smooth running of the allocations process and help improve how the service works. About the role Assess housing register and transfer applications in line with Council policy and housing law Interview applicants to understand their housing needs, including home visits where needed Arrange medical assessments and gather supporting information Allocate council homes and nomination opportunities fairly and efficiently Support homeless households when needed and help achieve permanent housing within target times Who we’re looking for Experience of housing allocations work in a local authority or registered provider Ability to explain policies and decisions clearly to customers and partners Strong customer service skills and a calm, practical approach to problem solving Good written skills for reports and correspondence Confidence using databases, Microsoft Office and customer record systems Ability to plan and prioritise work, especially under pressure Understanding of equality, diversity and data protection Strong partnership‑working skills, including engagement with external agencies What we offer When you join us your expertise, skills and experience will be valued, and your career development will be our priority. We are committed to creating a collaborative and innovative environment which empowers you to thrive. You will be part of a friendly, supportive One Team culture with the chance to make a real difference. We use Viva Engage to keep you connected and engaged and we hold regular face to face meetings, such as Chief Executive briefings to keep you in the loop. We are conveniently located close to Oxted Station and have some on-site parking. In addition to the stated pay, we offer membership and contributions towards the Local Government Pension Scheme, flexible working (giving you the opportunity to work from home for up to three days a week), flexi-time, payment of a relevant professional subscription and access to a discounted health scheme. Please visit our website for more information about working for us www.tandridge.gov.uk/jobs and download our Working for Tandridge guide. Diversity statement At Tandridge District Council, we pride ourselves on maintaining an inclusive workplace, ensuring equality, fairness, and inclusion is at the heart of everything we do and good practice is embedded in the Council’s culture and services. We welcome applications from all sectors of our community, including BAME, LGBTQ+ and all groups protected under the Equality Act. Tandridge is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Want to know more? If this sounds like your kind of challenge and you want to be part of our friendly and supportive team, we’d love to hear from you. If you’d like to find out more, please read our role profile and specification, or for an informal discussion about the role, please e-mail blinscer@tandridge.gov.uk Local Government Reorganisation The government is reorganising local councils in Surrey. The current two-tier system where services are split between Surrey County Council and district or borough councils, will be replaced by two new unitary councils - East Surrey Council and West Surrey Council. East Surrey Council will cover Elmbridge, Epsom & Ewell, Mole Valley, Reigate & Banstead and Tandridge District managing all local services, including housing, planning, waste, education, roads and social care. Although this may lead to some uncertainty for anyone considering a role with us, we need to continue to provide services. When the new councils are created in April 2027, most staff will transfer to the new council on their current terms and conditions. Being part of a larger organisation may offer additional opportunities for career development and variety. The majority of the roles we currently have will still be needed whether that is for planning, housing, recycling and waste, finance, IT, HR etc. Find out more about what local government reorganisation means for us Find out more about what local government reorganisation means for us. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) We understand that some applicants may use AI tools to assist with preparing their applications. All submitted information, whether supported by AI or not, must accurately reflect the applicant’s own skills, experience and qualifications. Recruitment decisions will be based on how well applicants demonstrate these attributes during the interview and selection process.