Private Sector Housing Officer

Harrow Council; Greater London; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Harrow Council is seeking a Private Sector Housing Officer to protect and improve housing standards across the borough. The role involves enforcement, inspection, education and advice to residents and landlords, with travel across Harrow to inspect properties.

You will work in a frontline, customer-facing environment, balancing office and site-based duties, and collaborating with internal and external partners to ensure safe, healthy housing conditions.

Qualifications

• Have a good knowledge of the range of legislation enforced by the Private Sector Housing Team.
• Recent experience on inspecting and rating properties using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System
• Full current driving licence
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively in a demanding and pressurised environment independently and as a team.
• High standard of written and verbal presentation and communication skills
• Competent in the use of standard computer systems
• Aptitude for the technical and legal aspects of the discipline
• Inclusive team worker who can foster partnerships work Collaboratory across teams to achieve desired outcomes.
• Ability to work outside normal working hours as may be necessary including response to emergency situation.

Responsibilities

• Carry out enforcement actions to ensure statutory housing obligations are met.
• Inspect, enforce, educate and advise residents, landlords and other stakeholders.
• Travel across Harrow to inspect residential and commercial premises.
• Develop partnerships with internal departments, external agencies and community organisations.
• Represent the Council in challenging circumstances with professional judgement.
• Act as a duly authorised Officer of the Council for enforcement when required.

Skills

Housing enforcement

HHSRS inspections

Driving licence

Communication skills

Public sector

Team collaboration

After-hours work

Computer systems

Tools

Computer systems

Job description

Overview
The London Borough of Harrow is seeking a Private Sector Housing Officer to play a key role in protecting and improving housing standards across the borough. This challenging and rewarding position involves carrying out a range of enforcement functions to ensure the Council meets its statutory obligations in relation to private sector housing. Through inspection, enforcement, education and advice, you will work proactively with residents, landlords, managing agents and other stakeholders to promote safe, healthy and compliant housing conditions.

Overview
The London Borough of Harrow is seeking a Private Sector Housing Officer to play a key role in protecting and improving housing standards across the borough. This challenging and rewarding position involves carrying out a range of enforcement functions to ensure the Council meets its statutory obligations in relation to private sector housing. Through inspection, enforcement, education and advice, you will work proactively with residents, landlords, managing agents and other stakeholders to promote safe, healthy and compliant housing conditions.
Working in a customer-facing frontline environment, you will represent the Council in often complex and challenging circumstances, using your professional judgement, communication skills and technical knowledge to achieve positive outcomes. The role requires a balance of office-based and site-based working, with approximately 25% to 40% of duties undertaken from the office and 60% to 75% carried out through visits to residential and commercial premises across the borough. As such, you will be required to travel regularly throughout Harrow and carry the equipment necessary to perform inspections and enforcement activities.
As part of a dedicated enforcement team, you will work in accordance with relevant legislation, statutory requirements and Council policies and procedures. You will act as a duly authorised Officer of the Council, undertaking enforcement action where necessary while also providing guidance and support to improve compliance. The role involves developing effective partnerships with internal departments, external agencies and community organisations to enhance public safety, protect vulnerable residents and contribute to the overall wellbeing of Harrow's communities. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated professional who is passionate about housing standards, regulatory services and delivering high-quality public services.
About You
The successful candidate will have:

• Have a good knowledge of the range of legislation enforced by the Private Sector Housing Team.
• Recent experience on inspecting and rating properties using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System
• Full current driving licence
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively in a demanding and pressurised environment independently and as a team.
• High standard of written and verbal presentation and communication skills
• Competent in the use of standard computer systems
• Aptitude for the technical and legal aspects of the discipline
• Inclusive team worker who can foster partnerships work Collaboratory across teams to achieve desired outcomes.
• Ability to work outside normal working hours as may be necessary including response to emergency situation.

Related Documents
For more information, please refer to the Role Profile/Selection Criteria