What are the responsibilities and job description for the Leasing Specialist. position at Housing Development Corporation?
Position Summary
The Leasing Specialist plays a critical role in supporting the operations of a low-income housing community by leasing units, ensuring compliance with affordable housing program regulations (such as HUD, LIHTC, or Section 8), and providing excellent customer service to current and prospective residents. This individual serves as the first point of contact for applicants and residents and helps maintain full occupancy while fostering a safe, respectful, and supportive living environment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Essential functions for this position relate to the responsibility of oversight of accounting functions of assigned properties, companies, and personnel including but not limited to:
- Greet and assist prospective residents in a friendly and professional manner.
- Conduct property tours, showcase available units and highlight community features and benefits.
- Respond promptly to leasing inquiries via phone, email, and walk-ins.
- Markets available units through online listings, social media, and community outreach.
- Prepares and processes lease applications, renewals, and move-in documents.
- Conducts inspections on make-ready repairs.
- Accepts security deposits, collects and post rent and other fees.
- Conduct background checks, verify applicant information, and ensure qualification standards are met.
- Maintains an accurate and updated database of available units and prospective tenants.
- Prepares HUD-50058/HUD-50059 forms in accurate and timely manner and maintains delinquent rent role.
- Achieves leasing targets and occupancy goals set by management.
- Assist in planning and executing resident retention activities.
- Addresses resident concerns and coordinate with maintenance for unit readiness and repairs.
- Ensures all leasing activities comply with fair housing laws and company policies.
- Actively engages in targeted outreach marketing to attract prospective residents, leveraging referral incentives where applicable.
- Enhances community visibility by strategically placing and updating promotional materials such as banners, balloons, signs, and flags.
- Distributes marketing collateral—including newsletters, flyers, and pamphlets—to boost brand awareness, while conducting regular market surveys and competitive analysis to ensure a strong market position.
- Inputs information into Yardi system and follows proper verification methods/processing in accordance with HUD and Authority policies and procedures, inputs move-in and move-out date into Yardi system, contacts eligible waiting list applicants and monitors lease up rates.
- Answers multi-line telephone in a courteous manner and takes messages, transfers calls to voice mail, or refers calls to other employees or departments as appropriate.
- Undertakes and performs other work-related duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or provide relief, to equalize peak work periods, or
otherwise balance the workload.
- High school diploma or equivalent (required); Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in business, social work, or related field (preferred).
- Two (2) years of experience in leasing, sales, or customer service is required.
- Knowledge of Fair Housing laws, local rental regulations and affordable housing compliance experience is preferred.
- Knowledge of HUD, LIHTC, or other low-income housing regulations (strongly preferred).
- Sales and/or Marketing experience is a plus.
- Fair Housing Certification preferred but not required.
- Proficient in leasing/property management software (e.g., Yardi, etc.) and Microsoft Office.
- Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages.
- Strong organizational and time-management abilities.
- Demonstrate an ability to support and contribute to community team.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and possible weekends.
- Ability to understand and follow moderately complex written and oral instructions, communicate and relate to persons of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
- Professional appearance and demeanor.
- Valid driver’s license and good driving record.
- Occasional driving/traveling requirements (approximately 1% to 33% of the time).
- May be required to operate golf cart to conduct property tours.