Private Sector Housing and HMO Enforcement Officer in Norwich

As a PSH and HMO Enforcement Officer, you will play a key role in improving housing standards across the private rented sector. You will investigate housing and public health concerns, carry out property inspections using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), and take appropriate enforcement action to ensure homes are safe and comply with legislation.

The PSH and HMO Enforcement Officer delivers an effective regulatory service within the private rented housing sector, ensuring the council meets its statutory duties under housing and public health legislation. The role involves investigating complaints, carrying out HHSRS inspections, identifying and assessing housing hazards, and taking appropriate informal or formal enforcement action to secure compliance. The officer prepares statutory notices, produces detailed records, gathers and presents evidence for legal proceedings, and manages a varied caseload independently while meeting strict legislative and organisational deadlines. The officer also provides clear, professional advice to tenants, landlords, property owners and partner organisations, supporting safe housing conditions and promoting understanding of legal obligations. Collaboration across teams and with external agencies, contribution to accreditation schemes and housing improvement initiatives, and support for the council’s wider Planning and Regulatory service are essential components of the role.

Responsibilities

• Investigate and resolve housing and public health complaints to ensure safe, compliant homes across the private rented sector.
• Carry out professional HHSRS inspections to identify hazards and drive meaningful improvements in housing standards.
• Take decisive enforcement action—from drafting statutory notices to following through on compliance—to protect residents and uphold legal requirements.
• Produce clear, high‑quality inspection records, including evidence, schedules of work, and supporting documentation that stand up to legal scrutiny.
• Prepare and present evidence for legal proceedings, playing a key role in holding non‑compliant landlords to account.
• Manage your own diverse caseload, balancing competing priorities in a fast‑moving regulatory environment.
• Support landlord accreditation and housing improvement initiatives, helping raise standards across the city.
• Provide clear, customer‑focused advice to tenants, landlords and stakeholders, building constructive relationships that support compliance.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams and partner organisations to deliver effective enforcement and better outcomes for residents.
• Stay professionally up to date, using CPD, research and training to maintain your expertise in housing and public health legislation.

Skills Required

• Strong communicator able to explain complex housing issues clearly and confidently.
• Skilled at persuasion, negotiation and building constructive relationships.
• Confident in assessing housing hazards and making sound professional judgments.
• Able to produce clear, accurate notices, reports and evidence for enforcement.
• Organised and adaptable, with the ability to manage a varied caseload independently.
• Detail focused, analytical and able to handle challenging or confrontational situations professionally.
• IT confident, with excellent skills in Word, Excel and case management systems.
• Committed to high‑quality customer service, equality and positive teamworking.

Educational Requirements

• Degree in Environmental Health or another relevant professional qualification.
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) to maintain membership of the relevant professional body (e.g., CIEH).

Equal Opportunities Policy

The council is committed to a policy of equality opportunity in employment, in recruitment and the services we provide. Applications are considered on the basis of suitability for the post regardless of sex, gender reassignment, race, ethnic origin, disability, age, marital status, domestic responsibilities, sexual orientation or religious affiliation. People with disabilities are guaranteed an interview provided they are suitably qualified and/or experienced.

Benefits

• All employees are eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Paid holiday entitlement starts at 26 days per annum and increases with length of service to a maximum of 33 days per annum (pro‑rata for part‑time employees).
• In addition to the statutory public holidays, an additional statutory day leave is granted at Christmas.
• Norwich City Council supports its employees through the provision of occupational health and employee assistance support.