Housing Enforcement Officer

Housing Enforcement Officer

Closing on: 21st October 2024

Working Pattern: Full Time, Permanent

Hours: 37 hours

Salary: £41,816 to £45,175

DBS Check: Yes

About the role Having completed the restructure of Private Sector Housing and now operating as one team, West Northamptonshire Council is currently seeking to appoint a Housing Enforcement Officer to join its successful Private Sector Housing Team.  Whilst the posts are aligned to either Enforcement and Regulation Teams, but the successful Officers will have the opportunity to experience both.

The Team have been turning heads and getting results in ensuring that the Private Rented Sector is providing safe and sustainable accommodation, unsafe and unlicensed properties are brought back into compliance, and that those who seek to benefit from criminal, rogue and irresponsible behaviours are dealt with in line with the Council’s enforcement regime.

What will you be doing? Working across the Private Sector housing functions, you will undertake inspections of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) using the Housing Health & Safety Rating System (HHSRS) to identify disrepair, other non-compliance with local and statutory requirements and breaches of management standards. Where necessary, you will take action to ensure compliance, which will include preparation of statutory notices, orders and demands in accordance with prescribed forms and procedures. Great communication skills are key, as you will be working with several key partners, including the Police, Fire and Rescue, Immigration, HMRC and others, to ensure residents are safeguarded and afforded safe accommodation. You will also have great attention to detail which will aid your preparation of paperwork for civil penalty offences and legal statements to represent the Council in First Tier Tribunal-Property Chamber (Residential Property) appeals.

This role offers hybrid-working, 2 days working from home and 3 days out across West Northants, carrying out inspections. For this reason, a UK driving license and access to a vehicle are essential.

About you To be successful in the role you will already hold,

• A degree in Environmental Health or related subject, or be able to demonstrate significant experience in Private Sector Housing regulation;
• Certificate of competency in application of the HHSRS regime.
• Knowledge of the Housing Act 2004, the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), and the local authorities regulatory and enforcement powers in relation to HMOs and private sector housing conditions.
• Significant experience in applying the Housing Act 2004, including preparing enforcement cases through to First Tier Tribunal or Magistrates Court.

In addition, you will have

• Confidence and passion to succeed in ensuring that our residents have safe and sustainable accommodation across the private rented sector  

For further information or to discuss the role, please contact Chris Stopford, Head of Private Sector Housing (mobile 07585 120349, or email to chris.stopford@westnorthants.gov.uk).