Empty Homes Officer

Derbyshire County Council; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible and hybrid working

Training and development

Supportive working environment

Opportunity to lead on strategic area

Office in Swadlincote

Job summary

South Derbyshire District Council is seeking an enthusiastic Empty Homes Officer to lead the delivery of our Empty Homes Strategy. This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of a high-profile area of work that directly contributes to improving neighbourhoods, increasing housing supply and enhancing the quality of life for residents across the district.

Working in our Environmental Services Team, you will identify and investigate long-term vacant properties, engage with owners and

Qualifications

• Experience in housing, environmental health, property enforcement, regeneration or a related field.
• Confident dealing with property owners, landlords, contractors and partner organisations.
• Excellent investigative, negotiation and communication skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply housing legislation and enforcement powers effectively.
• Passionate about improving local communities and delivering positive outcomes for residents.
• Can work independently while contributing effectively to a supportive team environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of the Empty Homes Strategy.
• Identify and investigate long-term vacant properties.
• Engage with owners and landlords and use interventions to return properties to occupation.
• Provide advice and support, secure funding opportunities and negotiate solutions.
• Where necessary, use enforcement powers as part of interventions.
• Contribute to wider private sector housing initiatives and tackle housing hazards to improve conditions and public health outcomes.

Skills

Housing/environmental health exp

Negotiation

Investigation skills

Communication skills

Housing legislation knowledge

Independent working

Job description

Closing date: 21 October 2026

Are you passionate about improving housing standards and making a tangible difference to local communities? Do you have the drive, determination and technical expertise to tackle long-term empty properties and help address local housing need?

South Derbyshire District Council is seeking an enthusiastic and proactive Empty Homes Officer to lead the delivery of our Empty Homes Strategy. This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of a high-profile area of work that directly contributes to improving neighbourhoods, increasing housing supply and enhancing the quality of life for residents across the district.

Working in our Environmental Services Team, you will act as the Council's lead officer on empty homes, identifying and investigating long-term vacant properties, engaging with owners and landlords, and using a range of interventions to return properties to occupation. This will include providing advice and support, securing funding opportunities, negotiating solutions and, where necessary, using enforcement powers.

You will also contribute to wider private sector housing initiatives, helping to tackle housing hazards, improve housing conditions and support public health outcomes across the district.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience in housing, environmental health, property enforcement, regeneration or a related field.
• Is confident dealing with property owners, landlords, contractors and partner organisations.
• Has excellent investigative, negotiation and communication skills.
• Can interpret and apply housing legislation and enforcement powers effectively.
• Is passionate about improving local communities and delivering positive outcomes for residents.
• Can work independently while contributing effectively to a supportive team environment.

What We Offer

• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities.
• A varied and rewarding role where you can make a visible difference.
• Excellent training and professional development opportunities.
• A supportive and friendly working environment.
• The opportunity to lead on a strategically important area of work.
• Offices based in Swadlincote, at the heart of the beautiful National Forest.