Service Charge & Rents Manager (Hybrid)

Service Charge & Rents Manager (Hybrid) needed in Norwich, £49,680 per annum – Reference: SC2

• Hybrid working – very flexible on office presence
• 37 hours per week

The Service Charge & Rents Manager is operationally responsible for the effective management, administration, and communication of service charges and rent application for 7000 homes, homeowners, freeholders on estate and garages Saffron Housing Trust.

Key responsibilities include setting, issuing, applying, reconciliation and collection of service charges, personal charges, estate-based charges, and utility charges, ensuring compliance with legislation and transparency for tenants and residents. The postholder also oversees rent issuing, application of rent.

The Service Charge & Rents Manager will work closely with internal teams, residents, and contractors to ensure transparency, fairness, and efficiency in the service charge process, as well as resolving any queries or disputes in a timely and professional manner. This role intersects with the wider organisation and is the advocate for our tenants when ensure value for money and quality of service.
The role would deputise for the Head of Services Charges, Rent and Income collection in matters related to Service Charges and Rents.

Service Charge Budgeting and Forecasting
• Develop, implement, and manage the annual service charge budgets for all properties within the Housing Association’s portfolio, ensuring accuracy and transparency.
• Monitor service charge income and expenditure, ensuring that costs are within budget and that service charge forecasts are updated regularly.
• Liaise with departments (e.g., Housing and Asset) to gather data and ensure that the budgeting process reflects the true costs of services provided to residents.

Billing and Administration
• Ensure the annual rent and charges are issued in line with regulatory requirements, and best practice. Ensuring all tenants that have a service charge or personal charge receive clear and concise breakdowns of the charges, with transparent explanations for any changes in costs.
• Ensure the timely and accurate billing of service charges to tenants, ensuring all charges comply with relevant lease agreements, regulatory requirements, and best practice.
• Oversee the accurate calculation of individual service charges for each property, ensuring all costs are appropriately allocated and apportioned.
• Issue annual service charge accounts, ensuring all tenants receive clear and concise breakdowns of the charges, with transparent explanations for any changes in costs.
• Calculate and issue annual sinking fund statements.

Compliance and Regulatory Management
• Ensure that service charge, estate-based charges and utility billing arrangements comply with the relevant laws, regulations, and guidelines, including the Leasehold Reform Act and other housing legislation.
• Regularly review and update service charge policies to ensure compliance with new legal requirements, industry standards, and organisational priorities.
• Ensure that all statutory obligations are met, including the provision of annual service charge certificates and accurate reporting in line with regulatory requirements.

This is a full time role on a Permanent basis.

If you are interested in the role please apply on our website with your CV, alternatively you can email your CV to katie@essentialemploy.co.uk quoting the reference number.

Essential Employment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy. Essential Employment is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

All our roles may be subject to pre-employment checks including references so please be prepared.

Due to high volumes of CVs received we are not able to respond to all unsuccessful applications. You will always however hear from us by phone if we are able to take your CV forward to the next stage.

You can also follow us at Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn or via our website www.essentialemploy.co.uk.