Housing adviser: job description

Last updated: 25 Jan 2023, 13:39

Housing advisers support people living in social housing and housing association properties.

Twilight view of a modern two-story house with a double garage and a lit entrance.

What does a housing adviser do? Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills

Housing advisers (also known as housing officers) manage housing on behalf of organisations. In many roles, you will work with specific clients, such as people with disabilities.

Typical responsibilities include:

  • setting and collecting rent
  • keeping in contact with tenants and managing issues such as repairs
  • inspecting properties
  • arranging repairs
  • referring clients to other support organisations
  • keeping records and writing reports
  • attending court hearings
  • solving problems such as missed rent payments and damage to properties
  • finding alternative accommodation for clients.

Typical employers of housing advisers

  • Local authorities
  • Specialist housing advice centres
  • Charities
  • Housing associations

Jobs are advertised on local authorities' and charities' websites and their social media. They're also advertised on national job sites and special sites for publications such as The Municipal Journal . Recruitment agencies may also advertise vacancies, and you could take a look of the website of Shelter.

Qualifications and training required

There are no set qualifications for becoming a housing adviser, so it’s possible to enter the profession both with or without a degree. However, you can study on the job and work towards qualifications offered by the Chartered Institute of Housing.

Skills and experience are usually more important than qualifications. Previous relevant paid or voluntary work experience will boost your application: look for opportunities via your university or college, or search for them on Do-It or TimeBank.

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Key skills for housing advisers

Housing advisers' clients may have complex needs, so to be successful in this career you need to be sensitive to people's situations. Other essential qualities and skills include:

  • patience
  • excellent interpersonal skills
  • confidence
  • resilience
  • resourcefulness
  • good verbal and written communication skills.

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