Housing Enforcement Officer

Civic Recruitment Limited; Northampton; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited is seeking a Housing Enforcement Officer on a 2-month contract with a Local Authority in Northampton. The role focuses on inspecting private rented properties, applying HHSRS assessments, and enforcing Housing Act provisions to tackle rogue landlords and poor conditions.

You will conduct inspections, serve notices, pursue civil penalties, prepare cases for courts, and collaborate with planning, police and housing teams.

Qualifications

• Essential Experience: Recent and substantial Housing Enforcement experience.
• Strong Private Sector Housing experience.
• Current HHSRS competency.
• Experience conducting HHSRS inspections and assessments.
• Experience serving enforcement notices under Housing legislation.
• Experience using regulatory powers within Housing Act 2004 and Private Sector Housing Enforcement.
• Proven experience issuing Enforcement Notices and investigating poor housing conditions, overcrowding, unlicensed HMOs.
• Experience preparing enforcement cases.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Carry out property inspections across the private rented sector.
• Conduct HHSRS assessments.
• Investigate complaints relating to disrepair, hazards, overcrowding, and housing-related nuisance.
• Prepare schedules of works and serve statutory notices.
• Undertake enforcement activity under the Housing Act 2004 and associated legislation.
• Issue Civil Financial Penalties against landlords where appropriate.
• Prepare cases for prosecution, enforcement action, and civil penalties.
• Support Rent Repayment Order cases.
• Conduct interviews under caution.
• Execute warrants of entry where required.
• Carry out works in default.
• Support HMO licensing activities.
• Process Mandatory and Additional Licensing applications.
• Ensure compliance with licence conditions and HMO Management Regulations.
• Prepare evidence for Court and First Tier Tribunal hearings.
• Work with Planning, Benefits, Police, Trading Standards, Fire Service, Immigration, ASB Teams and Housing colleagues.
• Maintain accurate records using Office 365 and regulatory IT systems.
• Contribute to intelligence-led enforcement initiatives.

Job description

2 months contract with a Local Authority

Job Purpose

As a Housing Enforcement Officer, you will improve housing conditions across the private rented sector through inspections, enforcement activity, HMO licensing, civil penalties, and regulatory interventions. The role focuses on tackling poor housing standards, rogue landlords, unlicensed HMOs, overcrowding, disrepair, harassment, and unlawful eviction.

Key Duties/Accountabilities

• Carry out property inspections across the private rented sector.
  
• Conduct HHSRS (Housing Health and Safety Rating System) assessments.
  
• Investigate complaints relating to disrepair, hazards, overcrowding, and housing-related nuisance.
  
• Prepare schedules of works and serve statutory notices.
  
• Undertake enforcement activity under the Housing Act 2004 and associated legislation.
  
• Issue Civil Financial Penalties against landlords where appropriate.
  
• Prepare cases for prosecution, enforcement action, and civil penalties.
  
• Support Rent Repayment Order cases.
  
• Conduct interviews under caution.
  
• Execute warrants of entry where required.
  
• Carry out works in default.
  
• Support HMO licensing activities.
  
• Process Mandatory and Additional Licensing applications.
  
• Ensure compliance with licence conditions and HMO Management Regulations.
  
• Prepare evidence for Court and First Tier Tribunal hearings.
  
• Work with Planning, Benefits, Police, Trading Standards, Fire Service, Immigration, ASB Teams and Housing colleagues.
  
• Maintain accurate records using Office 365 and regulatory IT systems.
  
• Contribute to intelligence-led enforcement initiatives.
  

Essential Experience Required

Recent and substantial Housing Enforcement experience.

Strong Private Sector Housing experience.

Current HHSRS competency.

Experience conducting HHSRS inspections and assessments.

Experience serving enforcement notices under Housing legislation.

Experience using regulatory powers within:

• Housing Act 2004
  
• Private Sector Housing Enforcement
  

Proven experience issuing:

• Enforcement Notices
  

Experience investigating:

• Poor housing conditions
  
• Overcrowding
  
• Unlicensed HMOs
  

Experience preparing enforcement cases.

Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Essential Qualifications Required

• Qualified Housing Enforcement Officer or significant Private Sector Housing Enforcement experience.
  
• Full UK Driving Licence.
  
• Access to own vehicle.
  
• Right to Work in the UK.
  
• Enhanced DBS (subject to pre-employment checks).
  

Additional Information to Note

• Working hours: 37.5 hours per week.
  
• Location: One Angel Square / Guildhall, Northampton.
  
• Hybrid working available (up to 3 days remote).
  
• Property inspections across West Northamptonshire required.
  
• Site visits include residential properties and HMOs.
  
• Full UK Driving Licence and own transport essential.
  

Requirements

As a Housing Enforcement Officer, you will improve housing conditions across the private rented sector through inspections, enforcement activity, HMO licensing, civil penalties, and regulatory interventions. The role focuses on tackling poor housing standards, rogue landlords, unlicensed HMOs, overcrowding, disrepair, harassment, and unlawful eviction.