Empty Homes Officer - Ref: EE08426
Grade: G7 (£35,412 - £38,220)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Term: 2 year fixed term contract
Our Service & Main Purpose of the Role
Our Housing & Customer Engagement Service area covers a wide remit including Private sector team, homelessness and housing options, asylum seeker and refugee, Gypsy and Roma Traveller, affordable housing and policy. We are looking for a proactive and confident Empty Homes Officer to help bring long-term empty properties across the borough back into use. This is an important role helping to improve housing supply, neighbourhood conditions and community wellbeing.
We have Cabinet approval to bring a number of identified long term problematic empty properties into use including by way of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) where agreement cannot be reached for the property to be otherwise returned to use imminently. There is therefore a focus for this role to continue with our successful approach of the use of CPOs.
The successful candidate will work directly with property owners, residents, internal services and external partners to identify practical solutions for returning empty homes to occupation. This will include carrying out property visits, investigating ownership and property condition, providing advice, negotiating with owners, maintaining accurate records and supporting appropriate enforcement action where required.
This is a varied and rewarding opportunity for someone who can work independently, manage a caseload, handle challenging situations professionally and contribute to positive outcomes for local communities by helping to reduce the number of empty homes in the borough.
Key requirements of the role
- Relevant housing, building or construction qualification at degree or equivalent level, or significant previous experience in a similar local authority housing enforcement role.
- HHSRS certification or evidence of relevant HHSRS training.
- Knowledge of private sector housing legislation and empty homes enforcement.
- Experience of property inspections and empty homes investigations.
- Ability to negotiate, problem-solve and manage challenging situations.
- Experience of enforcement action, formal notices and evidence preparation.
- Strong communication, record keeping and report writing skills.
- Ability to work with partners and stakeholders to deliver outcomes.
- Relevant housing, building or construction qualification, or equivalent experience.
- A valid UK Driving Licence is essential.
Our offer to the successful candidates
- We will pay your applicable professional annual membership fees
- You will be part of a forward thinking and supportive team
- Smart working – you will work in ways that gets the best outcomes
- Generous Annual Leave Entitlement (24 days holiday per annum + Bank Holidays)
- Flexi time – being able to accrue up to 3 additional flexi leave days in a 13 week period
- An attractive Local Government Pension Scheme
- An opportunity to join a savings salary sacrifice scheme
- Training and progression opportunities dependent on your qualification and performance
This post is based on working from home, visiting site and from the office depending on the needs of the service
You will be joining a friendly team committed to providing safe and healthy housing. At Walsall we embrace teamwork and personal development, and you will have the opportunity to develop your skills.
Closing date: 15th September 2026
We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this job vacancy. We are not accepting agency applications or referrals at this time.
At Walsall Council, we appreciate that AI can be a useful tool for ideas or guidance. However, we encourage you to make sure your application reflects your own voice and experiences. Over-reliance on AI can make responses feel less personal, and we really want to understand what makes you unique. Your experiences, skills, and perspective are what set you apart, so please ensure your application as a whole – particularly your ‘Supporting Information’ – reflects your own voice.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Empty Homes Officer- EE08426 in Walsall employer: Walsall Council
Walsall Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff. As a Residential Childcare Worker, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children in care while benefiting from competitive pay, including additional compensation for sleep-ins, and access to ongoing training and professional growth within a dedicated team environment.
