Housing and Compliance Officer

37 hours per week / permanent / Monday - Thursday 9am - 5pm; Friday 9am - 4.30pm / Based onsite in Hove, this role also involves regular weekly visits to our properties across Sussex. To support this travel, you will need a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

YMCA DownsLink Group is the leading charity for children and young people across Sussex and Surrey. We offer safe homes, mental health support and trusted advice.

We believe that every child and young person has the right to be safe, heard and to shape their own future. We work alongside them to make that happen.

We are here for children and young people, many of whom face multiple challenges and need our support.

Our Values - we do what’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections – guide us in all our actions.

We are seeking a proactive, tenant-focused Housing and Compliance Officer to deliver high-quality housing management and property compliance services across our Sussex properties.

Reporting to the Income and Property Manager and working as part of the Asset Management Team, you will play a key role in ensuring our general needs properties are well-managed, compliant with all relevant regulations, and provide safe, secure homes for our residents. This role combines housing management responsibilities with oversight of property compliance, requiring strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellent customer service.

The role involves overseeing tenants throughout their housing journey, conducting home visits, managing tenancy matters, coordinating repairs, and ensuring properties remain safe, compliant, and meet the Decent Homes Standard.

You will work closely with tenants, contractors, and internal teams to maintain excellent housing services, manage compliance programmes, address damp and mould cases, and ensure adherence to housing regulations and safety standards.

You will also play a key role in safeguarding tenant safety, monitoring contractor performance, supporting income collection, responding to complaints, and championing tenant voice to drive service improvements.

Key areas of responsibility:

• Housing and tenancy management
• Resident engagement and support
• Repairs and maintenance coordination
• Property compliance and health and safety
• Damp, mould and disrepair case management
• Contractor and supplier management
• Income collection and tenancy enforcement
• Customer service and complaint resolution

Please also download the job profile (below), which includes the full role description and person specification.

This is an excellent opportunity for a housing professional with experience in housing management, property compliance, and health and safety. You'll be passionate about delivering high-quality, customer-focused services that make a tangible difference to people's lives and help ensure residents have safe, secure, and well-maintained homes.

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

A minimum of a CIH Level 3 qualification in Housing, Housing Maintenance, Asset Management, Letting and Managing Residential Property, or Housing Practice/Services (desirable)

We will also consider candidates who can demonstrate significant relevant experience in property compliance, building safety, or health and safety, or who hold a recognised City & Guilds, IOSH, or NEBOSH qualification

Awareness of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), or a willingness to develop expertise in this area, to support YMCA DLG's commitment to providing safe, compliant, and high-quality homes

Significant experience within the social housing sector, ideally in housing management, resident engagement, or customer-focused service delivery roles

Experience working for a Registered Provider, housing association, local authority, or other social housing organisation

Demonstrable experience of working within a regulated housing environment, delivering housing management and property compliance services while building positive relationships with residents and stakeholders

Experience supporting tenancy-related processes, including starter and continuation documentation, to help residents sustain successful tenancies

Experience of working within a psychologically informed environment and applying trauma-informed approaches is desirable; training can be provided

Strong experience in auditing, data collection, record management, and maintaining accurate housing management systems

Experience coordinating and monitoring contractors to ensure works are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the required standard

Proven ability to engage effectively with residents, contractors, local authority departments, partner agencies, and regulatory bodies

Experience of income collection, tenancy sustainment, and arrears management within a social housing setting

Good working knowledge of housing legislation and statutory compliance requirements, including fire safety, gas safety, electrical safety, water safety, and resident access arrangements for compliance works

Ability to identify, promote, and embed best practice across teams and services

If you would like any further information or an informal discussion about this post, please contact Jake.Rawlings@ymcadlg.org . Should you require any assistance with our application process, please email us at Recruitment@ymcadlg.org .

CLOSING DATE: Wednesday 16 September at midnight.

PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to provide work permits or visa sponsorship for this role, so applicants must already have the right to live and work in the UK independently.

An inclusive workplace We are committed to policies and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment. 

Accessibility If you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please do contact us.

YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns.

Successful applicants will undergo a thorough background screening process, conducted by an accredited third-party provider. This includes an Enhanced DBS check (with Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists) as well as comprehensive reference and activity checks.