Legal Assistant

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated legal assistant who want to be a part of a passionate and dedicated team dealing with Rent & Legal Protection (RLP) team. You will be working for the UK`s largest property services group where we serve our customers in multiple locations across more than 50 brands. We have unparalleled coverage of the UK property market, and we are uniquely placed to support our customers across the residential and commercial property markets. Countrywide Residential Lettings At Countrywide we offer a full range of services that help put people and property together; that includes the businesses that people run. There are many parts to the property industry, and different types of customers. We help and assist all of them. We recognise that property is complex and our aim is to make it simple; we worry about it so that our customers don't have to. The Rent & Legal Protection Team A specialised team of rent protection and legal insurance experts who support our branches and the customers of the exclusive Lets-Cover Rent & Legal Protection Insurance. We are responsible for managing all claims under the policy on behalf of the Insurer. If a tenant defaults on their rental payments or the Landlord needs the assistance of legal services in order to obtain repossession of their property, then the team assists them throughout this journey, right from advising them of the action that is available to them and information on their cover under the policy, up to and including serving notices, instructing solicitors and obtaining possession. The Role Our team are responsible for checking that all pre-requisites for serving notices for possession have been met. Once the necessary checks have been completed, you will be creating legal notices for possession, and ensuring these are correctly served. You will also be liaising with our solicitors throughout the legal claim process and updating and advising our Clients. Examples of what you will be doing:

• Serving notices of possession for tenancies that have a valid claim under the policy
• Advising Landlords of their rights under current housing legislation, in respect of gaining possession of their property.
• Advising Landlords of the claims procedure and being their point of contact throughout the claim.
• Ensuring our Landlords are kept fully up to date of all matters in respect of their claim.
• Instructing the currently appointed legal representatives for the RLP claims, following the agreed process and supplying the necessary legal and other documentation to allow the solicitor to take action through the Courts on behalf of the Landlord and the Insurer.
• Monitoring any online legal portals used by the appointed legal representatives and completing any requests by the legal representatives in a swift and expeditious manner to ensure no delay in the ability to gain possession.
• Being the point of contact for the legal representative and ensuring that all queries are answered as quickly as possible.
• Liaising with the relevant branches to ensure that any information required by the legal representatives or Insurer is obtained expeditiously.
• Liaison with landlords, tenants, legal representatives, Insurers and internal colleagues as required.
  
  Residential legal services (especially possession action) experience preferable
• First class customer service skills
• Excellent organisation, prioritisation and time management skills with a strong attention to detail
• Ability to work proactively and comfortable / excited at using their own initiative in a fast paced environment where priorities can change regularly
• Strong communication, influencing and relationship skills, with a strong customer centric approach (comfortable working with colleagues at all levels within the organisation)
• High levels of energy, drive, enthusiasm with a passion for developing themselves and being an active and supportive member of a high performing team
• High level of competency in IT along with excellent written and spoken English
  
  What you get in return for a career with Countrywide:
• 23 days annual leave increasing with long service
• Pension scheme
• Full training provided with excellent career progression opportunities throughout the business, including industry recognised qualifications
• Award winning discounts across retail, entertainment, travel and health. These include discounted cinema tickets - O2 loyalty scheme - retail discounts - home moving / selling discounts - pensions - childcare vouchers -cycle to work scheme - and many more!
• Training in software, lettings, customer service, health & safety, insurance
Other helpful things to know:
• This role reports to the Lettings Insurance Operations Manager
• Core business hours are 9:00am - 5:30pm, Monday to Friday
• This role will be based at the Lettings & Sales Centre in Annesley, Nottinghamshire located just a few minutes from Junction 27 on the M1 and offers free parking and nearby bus stops.
• You will have working relationships with Management and Senior Management
Our Purpose: We bring people and property together: "Whatever you need, we have the expertise and the network to help. Property can be complex so that's why we're here - to help you realise your goals, and turn your dreams into a reality". Our Values: Personal: We are a people business. We treat everyone with respect. We care about our customers and about each other. We work hard as a team and have fun when we can. Responsible: We always try to do the right thing. We listen and we take time to understand. We always tell the truth, even if it's bad news. We take responsibility for our actions. When things go well, we celebrate our success. When we get it wrong, we say so and learn from our mistakes. Straightforward: We keep it simple. We deal with complicated things so our customers don't have to. Passionate: We love working with property. We work hard, because what we do really matters. Job Types: Full-time, Permanent Pay: £23,400.00 per year,
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee discount
• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Sick pay
Schedule:
• Monday to Friday