Disrepair Surveyor - Housing Property Services

Reading Borough Council; England; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in the UK is seeking a proactive Disrepair Surveyor to improve housing standards and resolve tenant issues. The role requires inspecting properties, managing disrepair claims, and liaising with contractors to implement necessary repairs. The ideal candidate will have a background in building surveying and strong communication skills. Benefits include flexible working, generous holiday entitlement, and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement

Local Government Pension Scheme

Season Ticket Loan

Flexible working opportunities

Support for professional fees

Qualifications

• Strong background in building surveying or similar field is essential.
• Excellent diagnostic and communication skills.
• Experience managing contractors for repair work.

Responsibilities

• Investigate and manage disrepair claims across housing stock.
• Undertake property inspections to identify disrepair issues.
• Prepare detailed technical reports and cost estimates.
• Liaise with contractors and legal representatives for remedial works.

Skills

Building surveying

Housing maintenance

Diagnostic skills

Communication

Education

Relevant technical qualification (HNC/HND or degree)

Job description

Are you passionate about improving housing standards and making a real difference in tenants’ lives? We’re looking for a proactive and skilled Disrepair Surveyor to join our Housing Property Services Team. You’ll play a key role in identifying, assessing, and resolving housing disrepair issues across our residential portfolio.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

We support hybrid working however, it’s important to us that working arrangements for this role are designed to fully support our tenants and the condition of the home they live in. To this end your working week may require site visits every day of the week.

About the Role

You’ll take responsibility for investigating and managing disrepair claims across our housing stock, undertaking detailed inspections, diagnosing defects, and specifying remedial works. Working closely with contractors, legal teams, and residents, you’ll ensure that disrepair cases are resolved efficiently, fairly, and in line with legal obligations.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake property inspections to identify disrepair, damp and mould, or structural issues.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, schedules of work, and cost estimates.
• Liaise with residents, contractors, and legal representatives to agree and oversee remedial works.
• Provide expert witness evidence and professional advice in relation to disrepair claims.
• Ensure all works are completed to a high standard, within budget, and in accordance with health and safety legislation.
• Support continuous improvement in the management of disrepair and housing quality standards.

About you

You’ll have a strong background in building surveying, housing maintenance, or a similar field, with solid knowledge of disrepair legislation and property maintenance best practice. You’ll also bring excellent diagnostic and communication skills, with the ability to manage complex cases sensitively and effectively.

You’ll also have:

• A relevant technical qualification (HNC/HND or degree) or equivalent experience.
• Good understanding of housing construction, defects, and maintenance processes.
• Experience managing contractors and overseeing repair works.
• A customer‑focused approach and commitment to delivering high‑quality homes.
• A valid UK driving licence.

Our Values and Behaviours

• Work Together as one team – work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do.
• Drive Efficiency – show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
• Be Ambitious – be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
• Make a Difference to Reading – maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.

Our Offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

Benefits

• Full surveying kit and PPE.
• Payment of professional fees.
• Generous holiday entitlement – 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays – rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years’ service, with the option to buy additional leave.
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities.
• Modern working environment at the Bennet Road Offices located off Junction 11 of the M4.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• The use of Kennet Day nursery rated outstanding by Ofsted located at The Civic Offices in Reading town centre.
• Season Ticket Loan – to help with the cost of your rail/bus journey, to & from work.
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.
• Access to an online employee benefits portal with new offers every month.

Contact Information

For more information on this position please contact Jo Fuller, Principal Building Surveyor on 0118 937 3811 or [e-mail]

Application Details

Closing Date: Sunday 11th January 2026

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Interview Setup: Interviews will be in person at 19 Bennet Road, Reading