At a Glance
- Tasks: Investigate housing standards and enforce compliance to protect tenants and improve living conditions.
- Company: Local Authority in Devon with a commitment to community welfare.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, hybrid working, and potential for contract extension.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives by ensuring safe and compliant housing.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing enforcement and strong knowledge of housing legislation required.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor others and work collaboratively with various agencies.
The predicted salary is between 84000 - 126000 £ per year.
An experienced Interim Private Housing Standards Officer is required to deliver high-quality investigative and enforcement activity across the private rented sector. This role will focus on protecting tenants, improving housing conditions and ensuring landlord compliance through robust, proportionate enforcement in line with housing legislation and council policy.
The Role
- Manage a complex investigative caseload.
- Mentor Housing Standards and Renewal Officers to support the delivery of high-quality investigative and enforcement work.
- Investigate complaints and assess landlord compliance with housing legislation, advising tenants and others on rights and available remedies.
- Undertake property inspections and Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) assessments to identify hazards, enforcement needs and regulatory requirements, including mandatory HMO licensing.
- Gather evidence, conduct PACE interviews, prepare legal enforcement files and apply the council’s enforcement policy.
- Enforce housing standards controls including HMO licensing, disrepair and empty homes standards.
- Prepare and carry out enforcement action, including improvement notices, prohibition orders, civil penalties and prosecutions.
- Work closely with Housing Options colleagues on cases involving illegal eviction, harassment and unlawful landlord behaviour.
- Manage an investigative caseload to ensure lawful, proportionate and timely decision-making in line with legislation, guidance and policy.
- Contribute to the development of operational policies, procedures and guidance for housing regulatory functions.
- Maintain effective partnership working with internal and external partners including Police, Fire Service, health, social care and voluntary agencies.
- Represent the Council at case conferences, multi-agency meetings and partnership forums relating to housing standards.
Requirements
- Significant experience in private sector housing enforcement or a similar regulatory role.
- Strong working knowledge of housing legislation, including the Housing Act 2004, HHSRS and landlord enforcement powers.
- Experience of PACE-compliant investigations and preparation of enforcement and prosecution files.
- Ability to manage complex cases involving vulnerable tenants and non-compliant landlords.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and decision-making skills.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to work autonomously and manage competing priorities.
- A full UK driving licence and willingness to undergo a DBS check.
If you are interested in this interim role, please send through an up-to-date CV or apply online and a member of the team will contact you to discuss further.
We endeavour to respond to all applications; however, due to the volume of applications, if you have not heard from us within 48 hours, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Housing Standard Officer employer: Venn Group
Contact Detail:
Venn Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Housing Standard Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the housing sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of housing legislation and enforcement practices. Be ready to discuss real-life scenarios where you've successfully managed complex cases or improved housing conditions.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your achievements in housing standards enforcement. Include case studies, successful inspections, and any mentoring experiences to demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals to join our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Housing Standard Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Housing Standards Officer role. Highlight your experience in private sector housing enforcement and any relevant legislation knowledge. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Investigative Skills: Since this role involves managing a complex caseload, be sure to showcase your investigative skills. Mention any past experiences where you've successfully handled similar cases or enforced housing standards.
Keep It Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences. We appreciate straightforward communication!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! This helps us keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Venn Group
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on the Housing Act 2004 and HHSRS before your interview. Being able to discuss these laws confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with them, but that you can apply them in real-world situations.
✨Showcase Your Investigative Skills
Prepare examples of past cases where you've successfully managed complex investigations. Highlight your experience with PACE-compliant investigations and how you’ve prepared enforcement files. This will demonstrate your capability in handling the responsibilities of the role.
✨Communication is Key
Since this role involves working with various stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Think about how you would explain housing standards to a tenant or negotiate with a non-compliant landlord. Good communication skills can set you apart.
✨Demonstrate Organisational Skills
Be ready to discuss how you manage competing priorities and your approach to maintaining an investigative caseload. Share specific strategies or tools you use to stay organised, as this is crucial for success in this role.