At a Glance
- Tasks: Inspect properties, respond to complaints, and improve housing conditions for residents.
- Company: Join a dedicated team within Westminster's Environmental Health Service.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Agile working with a mix of remote and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives by ensuring safe and healthy homes.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing standards or enforcement, strong communication skills, and customer focus.
The predicted salary is between 40 - 45 £ per hour.
Our client is looking for an experienced Housing Standards Officer to join our Environmental Health Service within the Public Protection and Licensing Directorate. This service plays a key role in ensuring Westminster remains a clean, safe and healthy place to live, work and visit.
This is an excellent opportunity for an individual with housing standards, housing enforcement or related experience who is passionate about improving housing conditions and supporting residents across Westminster.
Key Responsibilities- Respond to complaints relating to residential properties and housing conditions.
- Undertake property inspections within the private rented sector.
- Assess housing conditions and identify hazards using relevant legislation and guidance.
- Draft notices and schedules of work under the guidance of senior officers.
- Promote compliance by working proactively with landlords, tenants and stakeholders.
- Investigate concerns and take appropriate action to improve housing standards.
- Contribute to reactive and proactive inspection programmes.
- Maintain accurate records, reports and evidence.
- Safeguard standards relating to public health and wellbeing.
- Work collaboratively within the Public Protection and Licensing Directorate to deliver excellent customer service.
- Improve the lives of private renters by ensuring homes are safe, free from hazards and well managed.
- Deliver a positive and proactive approach to compliance and regulation.
- Support landlords in understanding and meeting their legal responsibilities.
- Ensure appropriate enforcement action is taken where compliance cannot be achieved through engagement.
- Help deliver statutory inspection and enforcement functions.
- Contribute to the Council's wider objectives and priorities.
- Commit to ongoing professional development through training and learning opportunities.
You will have experience within a housing standards, housing enforcement or similar regulatory environment and be comfortable working directly with residents, landlords and a range of stakeholders. You will be a confident communicator with a strong customer focus and a commitment to improving outcomes for residents.
Essential Requirements- Experience working in a housing standards, housing enforcement or similar role.
- Experience responding to complaints from members of the public, stakeholders and elected members.
- Experience delivering customer-facing services, including working with vulnerable individuals.
- Ability to build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to understand, interpret and explain legislation and regulatory requirements.
- Excellent written communication skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to manage workloads effectively and meet agreed targets.
- Ability to work independently and recognise when issues need escalation.
- Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications.
- Experience using mobile or handheld technology in a field-based environment.
- Understanding and experience of using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).
- Relevant qualification and/or demonstrable experience suitable for undertaking the duties of the role.
This role operates on an agile working basis. Officers are expected to maintain a visible presence within Westminster's communities through inspections, visits and engagement activity. Occasional evening or out-of-hours working may be required to meet service needs. The role is available on a full-time, part-time or job-share basis.
The first part of our recruitment process is to send your CV. Should you be shortlisted, Colbern Limited will contact you within 5 days or we may contact you about other job opportunities. Colbern Limited along with our clients are an equal opportunities employer.
Housing Professional / Property Specialist in City of Westminster employer: Colbern Limited
Colbern Limited is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values teamwork and employee development. Located in Barnet, the company provides competitive salaries and opportunities for growth within the public sector, ensuring that employees can make a meaningful impact in their community while enjoying a balanced work-life environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Professional / Property Specialist in City of Westminster
✨Get Involved in Local Property Events
Dive into local property expos and networking events! Real estate thrives on connections, so attending these events helps us meet potential employers and industry leaders, plus it's a chance to show off your enthusiasm for the field.
✨Connect with Local Agents on Social Media
Follow and engage with local real estate agents and firms on platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. Sharing their posts and commenting with your insights can put you on their radar and might even lead to job opportunities at companies like Colbern Limited.
✨Don’t Underestimate the Power of Cold Outreach
Got your eye on a specific company like Colbern Limited? Don't hesitate to send a direct message or an email expressing your interest. Personalise your approach, maybe mentioning a recent listing or project of theirs, and it could set you apart from other candidates.
✨Utilise Property Management Platforms
Check out property management platforms and job boards tailored for the real estate sector. They often have exclusive listings, especially for full-time roles. Don't forget to visit Colbern Limited's careers page directly; we love seeing passionate candidates applying through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Housing Professional / Property Specialist in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Real-Estate Savvy:When crafting your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight any relevant experience in the real estate sector. If you've done internships, assistant roles, or even relevant coursework, lay it out clearly. We want to see your familiarity with market trends, property management, or any sales experience you've got under your belt!
Quantify Your Achievements:In real estate, numbers speak volumes! When detailing your past roles, use concrete figures to demonstrate your achievements. For example, mention how many properties you sold, the percentage increase in client satisfaction, or any successful negotiations. These metrics can give your application that extra punch it needs!
Tailor Your Documents for the Job:Every application should feel personal. When applying for the Housing Professional / Property Specialist role at Colbern Limited, tweak your CV to focus on aspects that are important to them. If they value client relationships, emphasise your interpersonal skills. We want to see you aligning your experiences with what they're looking for!
Keep It Professional Yet Approachable:While we want you to show off your expertise, don't forget to let your personality shine through in your cover letter. A touch of friendliness can set you apart, especially in real estate where client interaction is key. Show that you're ready not just to work with the property but also with people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Colbern Limited
✨Know Your Market Trends
In real estate, it’s all about staying ahead of the curve. Make sure we brush up on the latest market trends in the area where Colbern Limited operates. Being able to discuss local property values, demand, and upcoming developments will show that we’re not just interested in the job, but genuinely invested in the industry.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions during the interview. We might get asked how we’d handle different client situations or property evaluations. Preparing our responses for common real estate scenarios not only demonstrates our problem-solving skills but also shows that we can think on our feet in a client-facing role.
✨Showcase Your Connections
In full-time real estate, networking is key! Let’s think about our connections in the industry and what we can bring to Colbern Limited. Whether it’s insights on prospective clients or relationships with local contractors, talking about these experiences can set us apart from other candidates.
✨Demonstrate Technical Savvy
Familiarity with different real estate software tools is a big plus. We should be ready to discuss any platforms we've used, whether it's for property management, CRM, or data analysis. Being comfortable with technology not only makes us more efficient, but also shows that we’re adaptable to the tools used at Colbern Limited.
