Specialist Officer (Private Sector Housing)

Mid Devon District Council; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Mid Devon District Council is seeking a Specialist Officer (Private Sector Housing) based in Tiverton to inspect and improve private housing conditions. You will advise landlords and tenants, enforce housing standards, and work with partners to deliver a high‑quality service under the Housing Acts and related regulations.

The role requires strong assessment skills, drafting notices, and the ability to travel across the Mid Devon area.

Qualifications

• Inspect private sector housing premises to ensure standards.
• Provide advice and proportionate enforcement of housing legislation.
• Knowledge of the Housing Act 1985 and 2004; HHSRS and HHSRS 2 preferred.
• Draft notices and provide remedial advice to landlords and tenants.
• Ability to travel throughout the Mid Devon area; work alone or in a team.

Responsibilities

• Inspect premises in the private rented sector.
• Advise owners, landlords and tenants on housing standards and legal duties.
• Apply proportionate enforcement under housing legislation.
• Draft notices and advise on remedial actions.
• Collaborate with landlords, tenants and partner agencies.

Skills

Inspection

Enforcement

Housing legislation

HHSRS

IDOX Uniform

Travel flexibility

Tools

IDOX Uniform

Job description

SPECIALIST OFFICER (PRIVATE SECTOR HOUSING)

Salary: £36581 - £39481 per annum

1 FTE Permanent

LOCATION: Tiverton, Devon, EX16 6PP

We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic, motivated and competent Private Sector Housing Practitioner to join our Public Health and Regulatory Services team. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to the health, wellbeing and living conditions of residents by ensuring that housing in the private sector meets required standards.

The post holder will be required to inspect premises, to improve the living conditions and health of people in the District through the provision of inspection, advice and the regular and fair enforcement of housing related legislation, having regard to the Housing Act 1985 and 2004, the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, Renters Rights Act and other related private sector housing legislation. To act as a Housing specialist to support other initiatives and strategies including empty homes and corporate risk work.

The team work closely with landlords, tenants, homeowners, partner agencies and other Council services, you will help deliver a high-quality private sector housing service through inspection, advice and proportionate enforcement of housing legislation and grant work. You will also support wider initiatives including empty homes projects, housing assistance schemes and corporate risk work.

The role may at times provide additional cover in the event of other urgent private sector housing standards interventions across the team and therefore knowledge and experience of the HHSRS and HHSRS 2 is preferred. The post holder should therefore be competent in drafting notices and providing remedial advice to Landlords and tenants as well as knowledge of dealing with urgent situations using emergency housing act powers.

You will be a team player who is also able to confidently work alone. Computer literacy is essential and a working knowledge of IDOX Uniform is desirable (though training can be provided).
The ability totravel throughout the Mid Devon area is essential.

CLOSING DATE: 05 November 2026 at 5:00pm

POST NUMBER: ES09

VACANCY NUMBER: 2026139

PROPOSED INTERVIEWS: w/c 16 November 2026

Committed to Equality of Opportunity, we welcome applications from all sections of the community.