Housing Standards Manager in Guildford

Housing Standards Manager in Guildford

Guildford Full-Time 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
J

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team to ensure housing standards compliance and improve living conditions in the borough.
  • Company: Join a dynamic council team dedicated to enhancing community housing standards.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a chance to make a real difference.
  • Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and collaborative environment.
  • Why this job: Be at the forefront of housing policy and make a positive impact on your community.
  • Qualifications: Environmental Health degree or equivalent, driving licence, and a passion for housing standards.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.

You will be managing a small team focused on ensuring that the council delivers on its legal responsibilities around housing standards (across all tenures) within the borough. Working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders, you will lead on the development and implementation of policies and practices to achieve these goals, using a mix of information, advice, financial assistance and enforcement, as appropriate. You will also lead on our work around empty homes and home energy efficiency. You will ensure that our service evolves to manage the additional responsibilities placed on it, including the Renters Rights Act 2025. The role is based at Elmbridge Civic Centre, based in Esher.

The main purpose of the role is to lead, manage, develop and deliver the Housing Standards Service within the borough, improving standards and ensuring compliance through regulation, advice, assistance and enforcement across a range of tenures. The role ensures that statutory standards duties are met.

  • To ensure the council is effectively using its powers and duties to minimise the number of empty homes in the Borough, particularly long-term empty homes.
  • To lead and manage the Housing Standards Team to deliver a high-quality service, providing coaching supervision and professional development opportunities to staff.

Specific duties and responsibilities:

  • To lead and manage the Housing Standards Team to deliver high-quality services through:
  • Allocation of workloads, monitoring performance and quality assuring casework.
  • Providing coaching, supervision and professional development to the team.
  • To be responsible for the development and operation of the councils Housing Enforcement policy.
  • To be jointly responsible for development and operation of Housing Financial Assistance Policy with the Care & Repair Elmbridge Team Manager, with the post-holder having budgetary responsibility in relation to financial assistance provided outside of the Better Care Fund.
  • To ensure adequate handling of requests and complaints about poor housing conditions, response which includes:
    • Overseeing HHSRS inspections and ensuring appropriate action for Category 1 and 2 hazards.
    • Completing inspection reports and schedules of work and assessments of best courses of action in line with legislation, guidance and councils policies.
    • Managing enforcement activity including improvement notices, prohibition orders, civil penalties, rent repayment orders, and prosecutions.
    • To liaise with the councils Legal Service with regards to the taking of formal enforcement action, including representation of the authority at tribunals or court where required.
    • Ensuring licensing compliance for HMOs and other licensable properties.
  • To oversee administration of the councils scheme of Financial Assistance including:
    • The handling of enquiries and requests from potential applicants and their families, advocates or professionals about the availability of financial assistance and the processes involved.
    • Responding to applications for assistance and undertaking initial assessments including means testing and undertaking of property inspections for the purposes of assessing works required, eligibility etc.
    • Completing schedules of work where appropriate and confirming grant decisions and securing best value in selection of contractor to undertake grant work and issuing & monitoring staged payments.
  • To oversee administration of Caravan Site Licensing for the Borough including the development and review of policy, the handling of enquiries and requests for licences, undertake inspections, issuing licences and monitoring of site licence conditions.
  • To manage and oversee the use and administration of the ICT systems used within the Housing Standards Team, including the project management of system upgrades and ensuring that the service and staff are making best use of the available technology.
  • To lead on the development, review and implementation of the Councils Empty Homes Strategy, working in collaboration with a range of stakeholders, with the objectives of making best use of the stock and reducing the number of long-term empty homes in the borough.
  • To monitor service performance and report outcomes to senior management.
  • To ensure accurate record keeping and sound data management.
  • To ensure safe working practices including lone working, through the use of risk assessments and the adoption and use of appropriate measures to manage and control risk.
  • To work collaboratively with internal teams and external agencies, to safeguard residents.
  • To engage constructively with landlords, agents, householders and tenants to promote compliance.
  • To respond to FOI requests, MP and Councillor enquiries regarding matters relevant to the work of the Housing Standards Team, to be responsible for leading on responding to complaints about the service under stage one of the councils complaints procedure and assisting with responses under stage two of the same or enquiries made by the Local Government Ombudsman and Social Care Ombudsman.
  • To lead on the promotion of home energy conservation and meeting the councils obligations under the Home Energy Conservation Act, Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards regulations for residential properties and other legislation relating to energy performance, fuel poverty and carbon reduction.
  • To ensure, subject to any necessary approvals, that the councils services adapt to reflect changes in the law such as the Renters Rights Act 2025 and the Supported Housing Regulatory Oversight Act 2023.
  • Mandatory Requirements:

    • Basic DBS
    • UK Driving Licence
    • Access to a vehicle
    • Copy of Environmental Health degree or equivalent
    • Copy of certificate of registration from CIEH, or equivalent

    Housing Standards Manager in Guildford employer: JOB SWITCH LTD

    As a Housing Standards Manager at Elmbridge Civic Centre in Esher, you will be part of a dedicated team committed to enhancing housing standards across the borough. The council fosters a collaborative work culture that prioritises professional development and offers opportunities for growth, ensuring that employees are well-supported in their roles. With a focus on meaningful community impact and compliance with evolving legislation, this position provides a rewarding environment for those passionate about improving housing conditions and energy efficiency.
    J

    Contact Detail:

    JOB SWITCH LTD Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Housing Standards Manager in Guildford

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Networking is key! Get out there and connect with people in the housing sector. Attend local events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have a lead on your dream job!

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Prepare for interviews like a pro! Research the council’s current housing policies and challenges. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around empty homes and energy efficiency. Show them you’re not just a fit, but the perfect fit!

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Apply through our website! We’ve got all the latest job openings listed there, and it’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll find tips and resources to help you stand out from the crowd!

    We think you need these skills to ace Housing Standards Manager in Guildford

    Team Management
    Policy Development
    Housing Enforcement
    Financial Assistance Administration
    HHSRS Inspections
    Data Management
    Project Management
    Risk Assessment
    Stakeholder Engagement
    Communication Skills
    Compliance Monitoring
    Home Energy Conservation
    Problem-Solving Skills
    Legal Knowledge in Housing Regulations
    Customer Service

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the Housing Standards Manager role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.

    Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves managing a team, be sure to include examples of your leadership experience. Talk about how you've coached or developed others in previous roles, as this will resonate with us.

    Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. This will help us see your strengths quickly!

    Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!

    How to prepare for a job interview at JOB SWITCH LTD

    ✨Know Your Legislation

    Familiarise yourself with the key housing legislation, especially the Renters Rights Act 2025 and the Home Energy Conservation Act. Being able to discuss these laws confidently will show that you’re not just knowledgeable but also proactive about staying updated on changes that affect housing standards.

    ✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

    Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in the past. Think about specific situations where you allocated workloads, provided coaching, or improved team performance. This will demonstrate your capability to manage the Housing Standards Team effectively.

    ✨Engage with Stakeholders

    Be ready to discuss your experience working collaboratively with various stakeholders. Highlight any successful partnerships you've built and how they contributed to achieving housing standards goals. This shows you understand the importance of collaboration in this role.

    ✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities

    Think of instances where you’ve dealt with complaints about poor housing conditions or managed enforcement actions. Be prepared to explain your approach to resolving issues and ensuring compliance, as this is crucial for the role of Housing Standards Manager.

    Housing Standards Manager in Guildford
    JOB SWITCH LTD
    Location: Guildford

    Land your dream job quicker with Premium

    You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
    Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
    Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
    1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
    Go Premium

    Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

    >