Private Sector Housing Officer (Empty Homes)

Ashford Borough Council; Ashford; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Ashford Borough Council is seeking a Private Sector Housing Officer to transform empty homes into livable properties. This role includes enforcing housing standards, conducting inspections, and collaborating with landlords and property owners. The ideal candidate will have a strong grasp of housing law and excellent communication skills, making a positive impact in the community.

Benefits

Competitive remuneration package

Generous annual leave with flexi time

Free life insurance

Supportive relocation package

Opportunities for training and development

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of housing legislation, guidance, and policies.
• Experienced in enforcement and property inspections.
• Ability to prepare accurate reports and make sound decisions.

Responsibilities

• Investigate complaints about housing conditions and enforce housing standards.
• Inspect properties and assist with energy efficiency initiatives.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to bring empty homes back into use.

Skills

Knowledge of housing law

Strong communication skills

Negotiation skills

Interpersonal skills

IT skills

Job description

Private Sector Housing Officer (Empty Homes) – closing date 30.07.2025
Salary from £40,914 to £44,094 pa, plus lease car subsidy or cash alternative of £2,080 pa
Permanent – Full time – 37 hour per week
Location: Ashford, Kent

We are looking for someone who has experience in the field of private sector housing, in particular experience relating to empty and derelict homes and the Housing Act 2004 to join our dedicated Safety and Wellbeing team to help transform empty homes into safe, liveable properties.

In this role, you’ll work with landlords, agents, and homeowners to enforce housing standards, support grant delivery, and reduce the negative impact of derelict or vacant housing. You will be responsible for leading on bringing empty homes back into use, inspect properties under housing legislation, and assist with energy efficiency initiatives, along with:

• Investigating complaints about housing conditions, unlicensed HMOs, and tenant harassment or illegal eviction.
• Carrying out inspections under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) and assess eligibility for loans and grants.
• Enforcing housing legislation and preparing statutory notices, prosecution files, and evidence for court or tribunal proceedings.
• Leading on identifying, surveying and assessing long-term empty homes and developing strategies to bring them back into use.
• Collaborating with property owners, managing agents, developers and partner organisations to secure funding and facilitate reoccupation or redevelopment.
• Overseeing enforcement actions including Empty Dwelling Management Orders, enforced sales, and derelict property remediation.
• Supporting energy efficiency projects and initiatives promoting warm, low-carbon homes.

This is a dynamic opportunity for someone with strong knowledge of housing law, enforcement experience, and a passion for improving the lives of residents and the quality of housing across the district. It is essential that you have a strong understanding of housing legislation, guidance, and policies, along with:

• Solid IT skills and working knowledge of information and financial systems
• Ability to obtain and analyse evidence, prepare accurate reports, and make sound decisions
• Excellent communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills

There is a requirement of this role for you to work outside normal office hours (including evenings/weekends), have a full driving licence and be physically able to carry out property inspections, including challenging or older properties and external sites

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Natalie Pearce on 01233 330304 or Gary Clarke on 01233 330624

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Hybrid Working- We are an organisation that puts people first and understands how important employee wellbeing is. We want to help you to balance your working life and home life and offer flexible ways of working to help structure your life in a positive and productive way; both at home and in the office. This maximises personal development and collaborative working. Competitive remuneration package- We offer an excellent salary linked pension scheme, generous annual leave with flexi time, free life insurance, supportive relocation package and opportunities for training and development.

With devolution news and talks evolving across the country for local authorities, we understand that there may be some uncertainty for those currently serving within the sector. Although Kent and Medway have not been included in the Devolution Priority Programme, discussions continue in this area. Kent, Medway and all District and Borough Councils in the South East will continue to work closely with each other to deliver vital services to our communities. This is an exciting, but stable time to join our organisation.

Ashford Borough Council recognises the need to ensure the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults when they come into contact with the services we provide

We welcome applications form the Armed Forces Community