Private Sector Housing Officer

Kenyon Block Consultants; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Private Sector Housing Officer to enhance housing conditions in the community. This role involves assessing housing situations, processing property licenses, and ensuring compliance with regulations. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with various stakeholders and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential, along with a solid understanding of housing legislation. If you're passionate about making a difference in housing standards, this opportunity is for you.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree or diploma level or equivalent experience.
• Formal investigation training or relevant operational experience required.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality private sector housing service and assess housing conditions.
• Investigate service requests and conduct inspections under relevant legislation.

Skills

Knowledge of housing legislation

Strong communication skills

Report-writing skills

Interpersonal skills

Formal investigation training

Flexibility in work

Education

Degree or diploma in a relevant field

Postgraduate qualification

Job description

We are looking for a Private Sector Housing Officer to join a west London Local Authority on a temporary basis.

Role Purpose:

Part of a team of professional officers to provide an efficient, high-quality private sector housing service that responds quickly to all enquiries, service requests, and complaints. To assess the nature, extent, and urgency of enquiries and make effective use of advice, risk-based interventions, and enforcement actions, including civil penalties, to improve housing conditions and ensure all homes in the private sector are safe and habitable.

To assess housing conditions and management in private sector housing, provide advice, and take necessary action, including enforcement, to bring living conditions and management standards up to satisfactory levels.

To process applications for property licences, including inspecting housing conditions and assessing management standards, and to enforce licensing requirements, non-compliance issues, and related defects.

Key Responsibilities:

1. People Management: No direct supervisory responsibility but will assist in induction, training, and mentoring peers and apprentices as needed.
2. Resident & Community Contribution: Demonstrate understanding of the Council’s Customer Care Standards, ensure compliance with property licensing schemes and legislation, and deliver presentations to various stakeholders. Develop and maintain relationships across services to facilitate information flow and joint working.
3. Operational Service Delivery: Investigate service requests, conduct inspections under relevant legislation, assess housing conditions, and take enforcement actions. Prepare reports, draft notices, and manage cases involving licensable homes. Attend tribunals and court hearings as required.
4. Service Planning & Development: Contribute to team plans, review policies, and ensure compliance with regulations and legislation.
5. Financial & Resource Management: Be aware of budgets, ensure accurate data collection, and monitor performance.
6. Continuous Improvement: Suggest improvements, stay updated on legal and technical developments, and incorporate equal opportunity and customer care into daily activities.
7. Contacts: Interact with internal council departments, senior managers, elected members, and external partners such as agencies, landlords, and voluntary groups.
8. Additional Responsibilities: Perform other tasks as required, support freedom of information requests, and work outside standard hours for enforcement activities.
9. Key Performance Indicators: Achieve team plan objectives and PADA targets.

Person Specification:

Educated to degree or diploma level or equivalent experience. Formal investigation training or relevant operational experience. Postgraduate qualification preferred. Knowledge of housing legislation, enforcement, and presentation skills. Ability to work flexibly, undertake site visits, and act as a witness in legal proceedings. Strong communication, report-writing, and interpersonal skills. A valid UK driving license is required.