Housing Income Recovery Officer


Company:	Reading Borough Council
Salary:	£32,061 - £36,363
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Reading, RG1 2LU
Working pattern:	On-site
Job type:	Contract
Posting date:	24 Aug 2026
Closing date:	6 Sept 2026

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Summary

23 months fixed term

We’re looking for a motivated and customer-focused Housing Income Recovery Officer to join our Tenant Services team. This is a rewarding and fast-paced role where you’ll play a vital part in preventing homelessness, supporting tenants to sustain their tenancies and maximising rental income.

You’ll work closely with residents to provide practical advice, agree affordable repayment plans and take appropriate action where arrears persist. This role offers a great balance of customer support and enforcement, making a real difference to people’s lives while protecting the council’s income.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the role

You’ll manage a diverse caseload, supporting tenants while ensuring income recovery processes are followed effectively.

You will:

Proactively contact tenants in arrears, offering advice, guidance and support to help them manage their rent and avoid eviction

Negotiate realistic repayment agreements and monitor accounts to ensure arrangements are maintained

Take enforcement action where necessary, including progressing cases in line with legal and pre-court protocols

Provide advice on Housing Benefit, Universal Credit and wider welfare reforms, helping maximise tenant income

Carry out tenancy sign-ups, explaining rights and responsibilities and setting up sustainable payment arrangements

Visit tenants in their homes where required to resolve rent issues and provide tailored support

Work closely with internal teams and external agencies (e.g. DWP, Citizens Advice, social care) to support tenants and resolve complex cases

Maintain accurate records, update systems and ensure all customer interactions meet service standards

Support tenants with digital inclusion, including managing Universal Credit claims and online accounts

Identify vulnerable residents and ensure they are signposted to appropriate support services

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do

Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential

Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way

Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave

Hybrid working is available after the probationary period has been completed, depending on the needs of the service.

Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading

Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)

On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted

Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work

Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

A Valid Full British Driving License is required for this role.

Closing Date: Sunday 6th August 2026

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Interview Process: In person interview questions

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Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident

Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.