Accommodation and Housing Finance Officer

Temporary Contract – 12 Weeks – Possibility of Extension

Job Details

Client: Swale and Maidstone Borough Council
Service: Housing & Community Services / Accommodation and Housing
Reference: OR121323
Contract: Temporary Contract – 12 Weeks – Possibility of Extension
Start Date: 16 November 2026
End Date: 7 February 2027
Hours: 34 per week
Vacancies: 1
PAYE Rate: £16.65 per hour

Working Pattern and Location

Location: East Street, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3HT.
Working arrangement: Initial training requires 3–4 days per week in the office. Hybrid working can be discussed after training but is not guaranteed; office attendance requirements should be agreed with the Council.

Job Overview

Swale and Maidstone Borough Council is seeking an Accommodation and Housing Finance Officer to help manage rent income, rent arrears, accounts payable and financial performance for temporary accommodation, privately provided and nightly-paid accommodation, resettlement homes and rough sleeper placements. You will support residents to sustain tenancies while ensuring accurate account reconciliation, data reporting and financial control.

Important – Please Read Carefully

Substantial experience in housing or homelessness finance, rent account management, arrears recovery and financial reconciliation is essential. The Council also lists practical knowledge of housing and homelessness law, welfare benefits, the Huume housing system and advanced Microsoft Excel and Word as essential. Candidates should be ready to explain their direct experience of these systems and responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Set up temporary accommodation placements and rent accounts on Huume and related financial systems.
• Monitor income collection targets, arrears, repayment plans and current or former tenant debts.
• Track Universal Credit and Housing Benefit payments and allocate receipts accurately to residents.
• Work with Housing Benefit, Council Tax, Finance, DWP, landlords and temporary accommodation providers to reconcile accounts.
• Verify council tax liability and payments relating to vacant temporary accommodation properties.
• Process payments and reconcile invoices from temporary accommodation, private rented sector providers, landlords, contractors and utilities.
• Maintain accurate records and financial data across Huume, Aggresso and relevant spreadsheets.
• Produce performance and financial reports, analyse accommodation expenditure and identify trends.
• Assist with budget monitoring, rent setting, data quality and financial performance improvements.
• Manage financial elements of the Landlord Introduction Scheme and support Resettlement Scheme budgets.
• Work with accommodation colleagues and external partners to minimise debt recovery and support tenancy sustainability.
• Maintain confidentiality, safeguarding awareness and compliance with financial, information-sharing and regulatory requirements.

Essential Experience and Skills

• At least two A-levels or equivalent qualifications, or substantial experience in housing, homelessness and finance.
• Extensive housing, homelessness or housing finance experience.
• Practical knowledge of housing and homelessness legislation, welfare benefits, social housing rent accounts and local authority responsibilities.
• Extensive rent account management, rental income collection, arrears and financial management experience.
• Strong accounts payable, reconciliations, data analysis, report writing and budget monitoring skills.
• Working knowledge of Huume; advanced Microsoft Excel and Word proficiency.
• Ability to interpret complex numerical information, maintain accurate records and present recommendations.
• Excellent stakeholder communication, time management and partnership working skills.

Desirable Experience

• Experience using business analysis to improve finance systems and data quality.
• Temporary accommodation, resettlement or rough sleeper accommodation finance.
• Using Aggresso alongside housing management and finance systems.
• Producing income maximisation and cost-effectiveness projects or improvements.
• Experience preparing management dashboards and regulatory financial returns.

Additional Information

Supplier submission deadline: 6 November 2026.
Target interview: 9 November 2026, online via Microsoft Teams; approximately 45 minutes.
Maximum CVs per agency: 5.
Required at candidate submission: Right to work in the UK, Confidentiality Agreement, CV and three years of references/work history.
Required on offer acceptance: Contract / Key Information Document and Criminal Convictions Declaration.
IR35: Inside.

Disclaimer

On applying for this vacancy, you agree that your personal details will be passed onto our client for their consideration of your suitability for the role.

I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to notify Fix Space Recruitment Limited of any hirer who I do not want my details to be passed onto.

Job Reference: OR121323

Strict Screening Questions

1. Do you have extensive practical experience managing rent accounts, rental income and arrears for housing or temporary accommodation?
2. Have you worked in housing, homelessness or housing finance for a council or social housing provider?
3. Do you have a working knowledge of the Huume housing management system? Please describe your experience.
4. Have you processed or reconciled Housing Benefit, Universal Credit or Council Tax payments against tenant accounts?
5. Are you confident with advanced Microsoft Excel, financial reconciliations, budget monitoring and management reporting?
6. Do you have practical knowledge of housing/homelessness legislation and welfare benefits relevant to rent collection?
7. Can you attend the Sittingbourne office 3–4 days weekly during initial training, with subsequent hybrid arrangements subject to agreement?
8. Can you start on 16 November 2026, work 34 hours per week and provide UK right-to-work evidence plus three years of references/work history?

Skills

Housing Finance, Temporary Accommodation, Rent Accounts, Rent Arrears, Income Collection, Housing Benefit, Universal Credit, Council Tax, Reconciliation, Accounts Payable, Budget Monitoring, Data Analysis, Advanced Excel, Huume, Aggresso, Housing Management