Housing Practitioner

Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council; Sefton; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council is seeking a Housing Practitioner to provide expert technical advice and support on housing standards, property licensing and enforcement, managing a varied caseload including vulnerable households.

The role balances enforcement with engagement, working with property owners to secure improvements and taking formal action when necessary to ensure safe housing across Sefton.

Qualifications

• Substantial knowledge of housing standards, private sector housing legislation and enforcement practices.
• Can manage complex investigations and make informed decisions on challenging cases.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders.
• Excellent report writing and evidence-gathering skills.
• Able to present evidence professionally in court, tribunals and formal hearings.
• Demonstrates resilience, tact and diplomacy with vulnerable residents.
• Can work independently with minimal supervision while contributing to a team.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing demands.

Responsibilities

• Inspect and investigate residential properties to assess compliance with housing legislation, licensing conditions, codes of practice and council policies.
• Identify hazards and serious defects and determine appropriate remedial action.
• Prepare, sign and serve statutory notices and undertake enforcement action where required.
• Supervise and monitor remedial works undertaken by landlords and property owners.
• Provide specialist technical advice to residents, landlords, businesses, elected members, colleagues and partner organisations.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, schedules, costings and correspondence.
• Prepare evidence and legal bundles and represent the Council at Court and Tribunal hearings.
• Interpret complex technical documentation and provide recommendations on appropriate actions.
• Coordinate projects and contribute to high-risk areas of work within the service.
• Support vulnerable residents by providing advice, guidance and practical assistance.
• Provide mentoring and guidance to colleagues when required.
• Manage workload effectively to meet service objectives and performance targets.

Skills

Housing standards knowledge

Complex investigations

Communication skills

Report writing

Evidence gathering

Court/tribunal presentation

Resilience

Independent working

Organisational skills

Negotiation skills

Job description

As a Housing Practitioner, you will provide expert technical advice and support on housing standards, property licensing and enforcement matters. You will manage a varied caseload, including complex and high-profile cases involving vulnerable households living in hazardous housing conditions.

The role requires a confident and resilient professional who can balance enforcement with engagement, working constructively with property owners to secure improvements while taking formal action when necessary.

Key Responsibilities

• Inspect and investigate residential properties across all risk categories to assess compliance with relevant housing legislation, licensing conditions, codes of practice and council policies.
• Identify hazards and serious defects within accommodation and determine appropriate remedial action.
• Prepare, sign and serve statutory notices and undertake enforcement action where required.
• Supervise and monitor remedial works undertaken by landlords and property owners.
• Provide specialist technical advice to residents, landlords, businesses, elected members, colleagues and partner organisations.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, schedules, costings and correspondence.
• Prepare evidence and legal bundles and represent the Council at Court and Tribunal hearings.
• Interpret complex technical documentation and provide recommendations on appropriate courses of action.
• Coordinate projects and contribute to high-risk or high-profile areas of work within the service.
• Support vulnerable residents by providing advice, guidance and practical assistance relating to housing conditions.
• Provide mentoring, guidance and support to colleagues when required.
• Manage your own workload effectively to meet service objectives and performance targets.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Has substantial knowledge of housing standards, private sector housing legislation and enforcement practices.
• Can confidently manage complex investigations and make informed decisions on challenging cases.
• Possesses strong communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Has excellent report writing and evidence-gathering skills.
• Is able to present evidence professionally in court, tribunals and formal hearings.
• Demonstrates resilience, tact and diplomacy when dealing with difficult situations and vulnerable residents.
• Can work independently with minimal supervision while contributing positively to a team environment.
• Has strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing demands.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to residents and communities.
• A varied and rewarding workload with exposure to complex and challenging cases.
• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities.
• A supportive team environment committed to continuous improvement.
• The chance to contribute directly to improving housing standards and protecting vulnerable residents.

Join us and help create safer, healthier homes and stronger communities.

The closing date for this vacancy is Sunday 1st November 2026

Provisional interview dates are week commencing 16th November 2026

Equal Opportunities

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Sefton Council strives to ensure that our workforce is inclusive and representative of our communities. A diverse workforce is important to us, our staff bring with them a wide range of experiences, views, ideas, and innovations, and we are committed to providing an environment that recognises, respects, and values everybody's identity, where individual differences are strengths and where everyone can thrive and maximise their potential. We are always open to learning and growing as an organisation, and we welcome new ideas and initiatives that promote equality, diversity and inclusion.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer; all candidates will receive equal treatment. Our decision to appoint will be based upon whether an individual's skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities make them the most suitable candidate for the role.

GUARANTEED INTERVIEW SCHEME

Please note that all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for these jobs (as given in the Person Specification) and who want to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme will be invited to interview.

If you are currently in care or have previously been in care, we provide a guaranteed interview scheme for care experienced people if you meet the essential requirements for the role.

Consider registering for Sefton@work

If you're an unemployed Sefton resident, register with our Sefton@Work service for free support to help you into employment. You may be eligible for extra assistance such as funding for travel, work clothing, or vouchers to make starting your new job easier. Call Sefton@Work on 0151 934 2610 or visit seftonatwork.net to find out more and get started today!