Regulatory Officer x 2

Would you like to be a part of The London Borough of Hounslow, whose diverse workforce are committed to making a positive difference for our residents and visitors by ensuring the quality of our services are maintained to a high standard?

Hounslow Council is an outstanding council serving an outstanding borough. With brilliant, visionary leadership, a dynamic Cabinet and a can-do culture, we’ve built strong partnerships across the borough which have transformed how we serve one of London’s most diverse boroughs.  Hounslow is the world in one place, full of potential, but a borough hit hard -socially and economically -by Covid-19. We have stepped up for our residents and businesses like never before.

About The Role

In Hounslow we have adopted an additional licensing scheme which covers most HMOs within the borough. The aims of the scheme are to improve housing conditions and standards of management in the private rented sector and to reduce ASB associated with poorly managed HMOs so that they are not a blight on local neighbourhoods. 

Hounslow’s accessible location and good quality large housing stock has meant there is a huge demand for HMO type accommodation. We have around 1600 HMO properties in Hounslow that have either been issued with a licence or have an application in place and are being assessed.  There are likely to be many more properties that are unlicensed that we do not know about. These will involve investigatory and enforcement work to identify properties and landlords.

We are looking to recruit two regulatory officers to deal with HMO applications and carry out inspections to ensure that the properties comply with our Housing standards and to take enforcement against unlicensed HMOs. The Council has identified the need for a joined-up approach across Council and you will be expected to collaborate with a wide range of other council services.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Determine applications and issue licences with appropriate conditions to ensure that properties are well managed and comply with the councils housing standards and liaise with other council services to deliver a joined-up approach to the management and control of HMOs in the borough,
2. Inspect properties to ensuring absence of hazards and compliance with HMO standards and carry out the enforcement of legislation as appropriate in a timely and efficient manner using the full range of enforcement functions,
3. Deal with and act sympathetically on complaints about HMOs ensuring due customer care.
4. Be responsible for organising personal workload including maintenance of records, preparing plans and schedules, writing of letters and reports and work with other team members to ensure the targets of the team are achieved.  

Your Skills:

1. Technical knowledge of building construction for residential premises and experience of using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) and inspecting HMOs.
2. Knowledge of private sector housing legislation and the ability to prepare and serve legal notices, prepare legal briefs, instruct counsel, and pursue resultant legal action including giving evidence in court or tribunal, for prosecutions/hearings. To organise Work in default and/or seek financial recovery.
3. Good observational and investigation skills with the ability to make sound technical and legal judgements and determine appropriate approaches.  
4. communication skills and ability to build and maintain effective and productive working relationships with service users, colleagues, and partners at all levels. 

Professional Qualifications

1. An environmental health and / or HHSRS qualification would be desirable but will also consider those who can show HMO licensing and enforcement experience and knowledge of HMO related work within a Local Authority setting.
2. Experience of a variety of effective communications techniques
3. You may be required to work outside routine office hours to carry out monitoring and compliance inspections so you will need to be happy with this aspect of the role.
4. Full UK driving licence.
5. A Basic DBS check is required.

We value diversity in its broadest sense. We're committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone is able to be themselves, give of their best and reach their full potential.  We believe that a diverse workforce helps us to better understand our communities and deliver the best services for our residents. We want to receive applications from all regardless of age, gender identity, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, race or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status or social economic background. We want to harness the mix and ensure that everybody can apply and be part of our recruitment processes. We will therefore make reasonable adjustments to accommodate our candidates.

For more information and how to apply contact Pat.Gilmore@hounslow.gov.uk or 0208 583 3605

Interviews will be held during week 27^th June 2023