Housing Enforcement Manager

Ref:BF6899

 

Buckingham Futures have taken on a pivotal position in the Midlands for a Housing Enforcement Manager to develop, direct and manage the Council’s Housing Enforcement Service in a manner that makes effective use of advice, licensing, risk-based interventions and enforcement action in order to improve housing conditions – and effect a positive and sustained step change in the behaviour of landlords and letting agents  in  the  private rented sector to start asap on an ongoing contractual basis.

 

You will be required to establish, maintain and update clear and effective controls for the licensing and regulation of houses in multiple occupation, the investigation and prosecution of offences relating to the harassment and unlawful eviction of tenants, and the improvement of housing standards in the private rented sector, in order to meet the Council’s statutory obligations and ensure that all private sector housing in the borough is safe and habitable.

 

Duties

 

1.Develop, direct and manage the Housing Enforcement Service in a manner that makes effective use of advice, licensing, risk-based interventions and enforcement action in order to improve housing conditions – and effect a positive and sustained step change in the behaviour of landlords and letting agents – in the private rented sector.

 

2.Manage, motivate and develop the Housing Enforcement Officers and the Tenancy Relations Officer, ensuring that everyone receives regular supervision and appraisal in order to achieve a consistently high standard of work, an equitable distribution of the workload, effective performance monitoring, and delivery of the Council’s aims and objectives in relation to the Housing Enforcement Service.

 

3.Work proactively with other managers to ensure that the Housing Enforcement Team, the Housing Options & Advice Team and the Social Lettings Agency deliver efficient, joined-up services that improve housing conditions, prevent homelessness, maximise the amount of private rented housing that is let and/or managed through the Social Lettings Agency and make it easier for private tenants to sustain their tenancies.

 

4.Develop and maintain close working relations with other services and organisations in order to facilitate the flow of information, encourage joint working and co-operation, achieve the prompt resolution of complex problems and ensure that, where an input is required from a number of teams, service delivery is properly co-ordinated.

 

5.Direct and develop the Housing Enforcement Team in a manner that encourages joint working and problem solving, ensures effective planning and monitoring, and is in line with the Council’s performance management framework.

 

6.Ensure that everyone working for the Housing Enforcement Service (including contractors) has a safe working environment, works in a safe manner and contributes positively to the creation of a safe and healthy working environment, in accordance with health and safety requirements and the Council’s policies and procedures.

 

7.Work with the Private Sector Housing Manager to set, manage and monitor the Housing Enforcement Service’s budget, and put in place robust procedures that ensure that the budget is managed effectively and in a manner that makes best use of resources in accordance with the Council’s financial regulations.

 

8.Oversee the regular review and updating of the Housing Enforcement Service’s processes, policies and procedures, ensuring that they are all compliant with the relevant legislation and, where practicable, reflect good practice

 

9.Develop, promote and manage the Housing Enforcement Service in a manner that makes best use of the human and financial resources available to the Council, taking into account local conditions, government priorities and new legislation.

 

10.Ensure that all members of the Housing Enforcement Team receive a comprehensive induction and the ongoing training and instruction they will need to provide excellent customer service, meet their targets and comply with the legislation and regulations.

 

 

Requirements

 

1. Qualified EHO with a Degree in Environmental Health

 

2. Extensive knowledge of local authorities’ licensing and enforcement powers in

relation to houses in multiple occupation and private rented accommodation

 

3. Extensive experience of using environmental health and housing legislation to

enforce and raise standards in private sector housing

 

4. Experience of managing and/or directing a team responsible for the enforcement

of standards in private sector housing

 

5. Proven experience of developing and sustaining effective working relationships,

and working successfully in partnership with other services and organisations

 

6. Experience of working with elected Members

 

7. Knowledge and understanding of information technology and systems, and their

application to improve service delivery

 

8. Experience of using a variety of IT applications, including wordprocessing,

spreadsheets and housing databases

 

9. Experience of developing new ways of working

 

10. Experience of managing budgets including forecasting expenditure, and

delivering value for money

 

 

If you have the right experience for this role and feel your skills and experience match the requirements, or if you would like more information, please contact us on 020 8732 5450 or email ricky@buckinghamfutures.com