Housing Standards Officer in Leeds

Are you passionate about improving housing standards and creating safer homes? This is your chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of residents across Leeds. As a Housing Standards Officer, you'll play a vital role in ensuring quality housing in the private rented sector.

What You'll Do

• Inspect properties and assess compliance with housing standards.
• Resolve complaints and provide guidance to landlords and tenants.
• Work collaboratively to raise standards and improve living conditions.

Why This Role Matters

Every day is different. You'll be tackling real challenges, protecting residents' health and safety, and shaping a better housing environment for the community.

Your Development

In-house training on housing legislation, enforcement, and partnership working. Support to achieve Level 4 qualifications and beyond to advance your career.

The Housing Standards Officer is a generic post having responsibility for delivering solutions to a wide range of activities within private sector housing but associated primarily with housing standards and the inspection of residential premises. In addition, duties may include the investigation of complaints relating to housing standards, environmental enforcement and associated functions. The work will be undertaken with the support of colleagues within a Housing team focused upon helping to deliver the Council's strategic outcomes, through specialist delivery mechanisms. The postholder will be expected to carry out more complex duties, provide support and, depending on team needs, supervisory support.

Responsibilities

• To carry out duties which relate to the work of the Private Rented Sector Service with specific duties relating to the regulation and inspection of private sector properties to ensure properties meet the minimum legal standards.
• Duties could include such activity as the delivery of financial assistance to private owners, addressing standards in the private rental sector and dealing with empty homes.
• Investigation and resolution of service requests, both proactive and reactive, using all available statutory and non-statutory measures, which may include the use of Notices; Prosecutions; Civil Penalties; warnings; informal advice; education; and imaginative solutions to resolve problems.
• Investigate, resolve and help coordinate requests for service and ensure proper coordination of work with specialist teams on cases which require support.
• To prepare cases for formal legal action and attend court/tribunals when appropriate.
• Following up cases to ensure that required actions are properly complied with in the relevant timescales.
• Attending meetings as necessary.
• Providing information, statistics and reports on activities undertaken.
• Develop and assist with education programmes, briefing sessions and publicity campaigns.
• Effective and prompt liaison with partnership organisations.
• To assist with the development and improvement of processes and procedures, such as quality assurance, customer care, service delivery etc.

Finance

To adhere to the Council's Financial Regulations, Standing Orders and achieve best value for money.

Information

To ensure accurate interpretation of legislation, guidance and relevant technical information to maintain consistency of decision making and action. To accurately record information using databases and other systems and provide accurate information, including technical reports. Maintaining electronic and paper records of inspections, interviews, visits, meetings etc. Providing information, statistics and reports on activities undertaken.

People

Supporting the development of the team. Liaison with all relevant partners on a regular basis to resolve problems. To communicate any concerns which arise in the course of normal duties to other staff members, including managers. Show a passion and commitment to work with the public, businesses and partners, in both supporting and enforcement roles, in order to improve the quality of life for citizens of Leeds and help to deliver the strategic outcomes of the Council. To be able to carry out duties which relate to the work of the Private Rented Sector Service regarding the regulation and inspection of privately owned properties. Possess experience, knowledge and understanding of the statutory and non-statutory techniques available to resolve issues experienced by the public and improve their quality of housing.

Experience

Experience of managing own case work within the relevant timescales and following up cases to ensure that required actions are properly complied. Experience of investigating, resolving and coordinating service requests and ensure proper coordination of work with specialist teams on cases which require support. Experience of liaising with partnership organisations. Experience of attending and contributing to relevant meetings. Experience of maintaining electronic and paper records of interviews, visits, inspections, meetings and any other matters relating to cases and provision of information, statistics and reports.

Information (continued)

To be able to interpret legislation, guidance and relevant technical information accurately and consistently while keeping aware of proposed changes. To be able to accurately record information using databases and other systems as used by the service and provide accurate information including detailed technical reports. To be able to communicate effectively to a wide range of people. To work closely with and other staff, MPs, elected members, members of the public, businesses, the private sector and their representatives. To have a willingness to develop self and help develop others while working as team for Leeds. Understand the requirements needed to support the manager in maintaining/running and developing the team. To be confident in having frequent contact with the private sector, partners and local Ward Councillors.

Essential behavioural and other characteristics

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council values and behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Leeds Ambitions of health and wellbeing, inclusive growth, thriving strong communities, and a resilient sustainable city.
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Carry out duties having regard to an employee's responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing.
• Participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up-to-date knowledge and skills.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding equality and diversity of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade. The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
• Excellent communication skills to engage with diverse stakeholders.
• A proactive, solution-focused mindset and commitment to continuous improvement.
• To be competent to undertake inspections and enforcement actions under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).
• Knowledge of all aspects of licensing under the Housing Act 2004.
• Ability to prepare cases for prosecution/civil penalties and attend court/tribunal when appropriate and provide guidance to other staff in preparation of their cases.

Why You'll Love Working Here

Generous Benefits: 23 days annual leave (plus extra for long service), flexitime, pension scheme, and car allowance. Supportive Culture: Join a team that values innovation, collaboration, and professional development.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.