Private Sector Housing Enforcement Officer - Rogue Landlord

Connect2Luton; Luton; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Connect2Luton are recruiting a Private Sector Housing Enforcement Officer - Rogue Landlord on behalf of Luton Borough Council.

You will inspect dwellings and HMOs to improve private sector living standards, identify unlicensed HMOs, and enforce compliance including notices, prosecutions or Civil Penalty Notices. The role requires robust enforcement experience and travel across the Borough.

Qualifications

• Experience in Environmental Health rogue landlord role or similar.
• Able to consult, negotiate, persuade and present to professionals and the public.
• Able to analyse complex situations, inspect premises, evaluate tenders, compile evidence and witness statements.
• Able to produce written reports with professional recommendations and judgements.
• Able to plan and organise own and others workload, meet deadlines and work in a team.
• In-depth enforcement experience.
• Able to travel throughout the Borough and access lofts/spaces using steps or ladders.

Responsibilities

• Inspect dwellings and HMOs under HHSRS and Decent Homes Standard, including preparatory work and payments.
• Identify unlicensed HMOs and take enforcement action for non-compliance.
• Prepare cases for prosecution or issue Civil Penalty Notices and pursue Rent Repayment Orders.
• Investigate complex service requests, consult with professionals and agencies.
• Provide training and guidance to less experienced officers and develop procedures.
• Represent the Council at meetings, appeals and tribunals, engaging with the public and other agencies.
• Participate in projects to improve service delivery.

Skills

Rogue landlord Enforcement

Negotiation & persuasion

Analytical judgement

Report writing

Time management

Enforcement experience

Travel within borough

Job description

Connect2Luton are excited to recruit a Private Sector Housing Enforcement Officer - Rogue Landlord on behalf of Luton Borough Council.

Main purpose of position:

To improve living standards in the private rented sector by:

• Identifying unlicensed houses in multiple occupation (HMO's)
• Inspecting substandard properties using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
• Serving the appropriate legal notices to remedy the hazards found; and taking follow up enforcement measures such as referring the matter for prosecution or issuing Civil Penalty Notices (CPNs), if the notice cannot be complied.
• Ensuring compliance with all relevant management regulations

You will be responsible to:

• Inspect dwellings and houses in multiple occupation in accordance with Housing Health & Safety Rating System (HHSRS) and the Decent Homes Standard; including complex preparatory work, inspecting and certifying works in default, resolving disputes and undertaking associated technical and financial work including arranging interim and final stage payments.
• Identify unlicensed HMO's, taking enforcement action for non-compliance. Make professional recommendations on a full range of matters that ensure compliance with relevant regulations.
• Prepare cases for prosecution, or issue Civil Penalty Notices (CPNs, apply for Rent Repayment Orders and present evidence in court and Residential Property Tribunals.
• Investigate complex service requests concerning premises and persons, instigate action in accordance with regulation, including consultation with professionals, Departments and Agencies.
• Provide specialist advice to less experienced officers and trainees, including providing appropriate training, mentoring, and Develop procedures and guidance documents ensuring robust application or implementation. Actively promote service objectives.
• Attend and represent the Department/Council at a range of Council meetings, working parties, Appeals, Tribunals and County Court Appearances, including engaging the public, public bodies, businesses and other Agencies.
• Participate in specific projects to improve service delivery.

Skills and Experience:

• Experience of working within an Environmental Health (Private Sector Housing) rogue landlord role, or similar demonstrable experience
• Able to consult, negotiate, persuade, influence and present to a wide range of professionals and members of the public
• Able to analyse complex situations eg, inspect and measure premises, evaluate building tenders, compile evidence and witness statements
• Able to produce written reports incorporating professional recommendations and judgements
• Able to plan and organise own and others workload to meet deadlines demonstrating effective time management and ability to work within a Team
• In depth relevant enforcement experience
• Able to travel throughout the Borough and undertake building surveys, including using steps and ladders to gain access to loft and spaces
• Able to work late evening and early morning (infrequently)
• Work in the office at least 2 days per week

About Us:

Luton Borough Council have partnered with Kent County Council to create Connect2Luton, a recruitment managed service for all contingent temporary agency, contract, and interim roles at the Council.

Our heritage and being local government owned which means we have a wealth of knowledge and expertise within the public sector, with many of our employees having previously worked for the Council or have supplied previously into the Council, for several years.

We are an equal opportunities employment agency and business that positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates

Connect2Luton is a trading style of Luton & Kent Commercial Services LLP - A joint venture between Luton Borough Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Luton is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates