Disrepair Surveyor

First Choice Homes Oldham; Oldham; Hybrid; GBP 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A local housing association in Oldham is seeking a Disrepair Surveyor to ensure homes are safe and well-maintained. The role involves managing housing disrepair claims, conducting inspections, and preparing reports. Candidates should have an HND in Building Studies or equivalent, with extensive experience in social housing and knowledge of relevant legislation. A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle are required. This position offers a competitive salary, hybrid working options, and various employee benefits.

Benefits

30 days annual leave

Healthcare cash plan

Private health insurance

Discounted gym membership

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of housing legislation, disrepair, and pre-action protocols.
• Extensive experience working as a Disrepair Surveyor in social housing.
• Experience assessing repair requirements and writing specifications.

Responsibilities

• Manage housing disrepair claims through to resolution.
• Undertake detailed inspections of properties and assess repair requirements.
• Prepare clear, comprehensive survey reports and technical specifications.

Skills

Technical knowledge

Customer-focused approach

Excellent communication skills

Ability to manage multiple cases

Education

HND in Building Studies or equivalent

Job description

Location: Oldham | Hours: 37 per week | Reporting to: Disrepair Manager | Contract: Permanent | Salary: 41375

Disrepair Surveyor

Improving lives in Oldham

First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) has an exciting opportunity for a Disrepair Surveyor to join our team and play a key role in ensuring our homes are safe, well maintained and meet the standards our residents deserve.

This is a critical role in how we manage housing disrepair and housing conditions claims, helping to protect residents, reduce risk and support positive outcomes through early intervention, clear communication and effective resolution.

The impact you’ll make

You will be part of a team that takes pride in doing the right thing, putting resident safety first and continuously improving how we work. By managing disrepair claims from start to finish, carrying out high quality surveys and working closely with residents, colleagues and external partners, you’ll help minimise legal and financial risk while improving the experience for people living in our homes. Your work will directly support FCHO’s commitment to safe, decent homes and strong, trusting relationships with our residents.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll be responsible for managing housing disrepair and housing conditions claims through to resolution, including:

• Undertake detailed inspections of properties with alleged disrepair and assess repair requirements.
• Receive, acknowledge and manage claims under the Pre-Action Protocol for Housing Conditions, including both litigated and non-litigated cases.
• Obtain and coordinate relevant evidence, including liaising with expert witnesses where required.
• Verify the authenticity and validity of claims through regular engagement with residents.
• Prepare clear, comprehensive survey reports and technical specifications.
• Manage disrepair claims through to resolution, working closely with legal teams, contractors and internal colleagues.
• Liaise effectively with residents, legal representatives, contractors and internal teams to progress claims and manage expectations.
• Provide expert advice on maintenance issues and contribute to planned and preventative works to reduce future disrepair.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with relevant legislation including the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018.
• Keep all relevant parties fully informed of claim progress to minimise risk, complaints and reputational impact.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with appointed experts ensuring agreed service level agreements are met.
• Monitor, track and report on the status and performance of all disrepair claims.
• Coordinate preventative measures to ensure properties do not fall into disrepair and deliver value for money.
• Provide advice and guidance to teams on Pre-Action Protocol requirements, recommended measures and statutory timescales.
• Represent FCHO at court where required.

What we’re looking for

You’ll bring strong technical knowledge, a customer-focused approach and experience of managing disrepair within a social housing environment.

You’ll have:

• An HND in Building Studies or equivalent
• Extensive experience working as a Disrepair Surveyor in social housing
• Strong knowledge of housing legislation, disrepair and pre-action protocols
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to manage multiple cases, prioritise effectively and meet deadlines
• Experience assessing repair requirements and writing specifications

Membership of a professional body such as RICS or CIOB, a CSCS card and experience within asset management or data analysis would be an advantage.

You’ll also hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle for work purposes.

Why Join FCHO

First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) is a housing association providing safe, affordable and high-quality homes across Oldham and the surrounding areas. We own and manage over 11,500 properties and are committed to delivering services we can be proud of while improving the lives of people across Oldham.

We are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective colleagues; we do not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity or marriage and civil partnership. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us.

If you need any reasonable adjustments to make your experience smoother, please let us know and we will do what we can to help.

The Company

At First Choice Homes Oldham we are about being a community anchor organisation and making a positive difference where we work. Our dedicated team delivers good quality affordable homes and thriving communities for customers living in our 11,500 homes across Oldham and surrounding boroughs. We are a respected local employer focused on growth, development and career opportunities for our colleagues.

Join us and become part of a team passionate about providing homes we are proud of and improving lives.

What’s In It For You

We offer a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, work–life balance and career development:

• A salary of 41,375 per annum
• A 37-hour working week with hybrid working options
• 30 days annual leave and 8 bank holidays (pro-rated for part-time colleagues)
• Option to purchase additional annual leave
• Defined contribution pension scheme with up to 10% employer contribution and salary exchange option
• Healthcare cash plan covering dental, optical and physiotherapy treatments
• Private health insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) offering 24-hour confidential support
• Doctorline 24/7 worldwide GP access for you and your family
• Access to our colleague benefits platform offering discounts on major retailers and wellbeing tools
• Discounted gym membership
• Professional subscriptions paid (where essential for the role)
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and sick pay
• On-site wellbeing room and on-site café
• Long service awards

Interested

If you meet the criteria for the role and have the passion to lead procurement excellence at FCHO, we’d love to hear from you. Please apply before 16/01/2025.

We are committed to building an organisation that represents a variety of backgrounds and skills and we are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

The Company (continued)

First Choice Homes Oldham is focused on delivering homes we are proud of and improving lives in our community.