Accommodation warden

Property manager, hall manager

Accommodation wardens manage the day-to-day running of services like sheltered housing, youth hostels and student flats.

Salary range: £15,000 to £40,000

How to become an accommodation warden

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

College

You could take a college course before applying for a job. Courses include:

• Level 2 Certificate in Facilities Services
• Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

Apprenticeship

You can train for this job through an intermediate housing and property management assistant apprenticeship or an advanced apprenticeship in housing and property management.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

Work

You could work as a warden’s assistant and become qualified through on-the-job training. You could also work your way up by doing customer service courses.

Volunteering and experience

You could start as a volunteer warden, if you want to work with the Youth Hostel Association.

Direct application

To apply directly, you’ll usually need some GCSEs or equivalent, including English and maths.

You’ll also find it helpful to have paid or unpaid experience of working with vulnerable groups and experience of working in a care setting.

More information

Further information

You can find out more about working as a warden from the Chartered Institute of Housing.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You’ll need:

• customer service skills
• business management skills
• administration skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of economics and accounting
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to work well with others
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and requirements

You’ll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

What you’ll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties could include:

• allocating and managing accommodation
• controlling rent arrears
• inspecting property and arranging for repairs to be carried out
• supervising catering, cleaning and maintenance staff
• looking after the welfare of residents
• checking on health and safety, and conducting risk assessments
• working with outside agencies, carers and parents
• dealing with emergencies

Working environment

You could work in the community or at an adult care home.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become an accommodation manager with responsibility for several centres and wardens. You could also work in housing or block management. 

With further study, you could also work in a related field like social work or counselling.