Is a housing officer the person to deal with disputes among neighbours? I’ve heard something on those lines but I though you basically dealt with maintenance issues.

Local housing associations and authorities hire housing officers to oversee housing properties and keep in touch with tenants. Housing officers, also known as housing managers, also collect rental income, listen to the complaints of tenants, and handle repair work. Some housing managers specialise in handling specific clients such as minorities, the homeless, and those with disabilities. These officers may also interview and advise prospective tenants on the relationships between tenants and landlords
Attending court hearings, inspecting properties, handling grants and loans for home improvement, writing reports, keeping records, and interacting with other housing employees such as wardens and maintenance staff are other important housing management duties. Although studies in housing, urban planning, business, social policy, or law are assets in the housing management profession, formal education is less important than past experience in related fields and an ability to work well with people.
Starting housing management salaries range between £16,900 to £18,900, but senior housing officers can earn over £50,000. People frequently enter this profession after spending several years in other careers.

• Having IT skills.
• Having competent communication abilities.
• Having budgeting knowledge.
• Being proactive.
• Being able to deal with people from different backgrounds.
• Being able to work under pressure.
• Having good negotiation skills.
• Having problem solving abilities.
• Being tactful.
• Having strong organisational skills.

There are no specific qualifications required to be a Housing Officer, but it is necessary to have A levels for some job placements. Good backgrounds for this area are degrees in town planning, urban studies, social policy, and housing. These courses last three or four years and require five GCSE’s/S grades (A-C/1-3) and two A levels/three H grades as a minimum.

There are training schemes at jobs and external studies like the CIH professional qualification including CIH Level 2, 3, 4, and Professional Diploma in Housing.