At a Glance
- Tasks: Enhance housing conditions and make a real difference in people's lives.
- Company: Join the Strategic Housing Service Team at Winchester City Council.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, health cash plan, generous leave, and discounts at major brands.
- Other info: Great career development opportunities in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that impacts community housing positively.
- Qualifications: Experience in housing assessments and knowledge of relevant legislation.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Private Sector Housing Officer
Pay & Contract: Temporary - fixed 18 month
Closing date 26 October 2025
Interview date: 6 November 2025
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact John Corrie, Senior Private Sector Housing Officer on 07980 732051
We have an exciting opportunity for a dedicated Private Sector Housing Officer to join our esteemed Strategic Housing Service Team at Winchester City Council.
This role presents a unique, and exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate in contributing towards enhancing housing conditions across the district and making a real difference to people’s lives.
The Private Sector Housing Team deal with all aspects of enforcement and regulation including fire safety, conditions and licencing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), enforcement of housing standards, domestic energy efficiency, immigration inspections, empty properties, as well as the delivery of mandatory disabled facilities grants.
You will need to be empathetic, an excellent communicator and confident in making difficult decisions to achieve positive outcomes for our customers. If you are interested in applying for this role, we would like you to have:
- Experience of assessing housing conditions using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
- A knowledge of enforcement action contained in the Housing Act 2004
- A knowledge of investigating empty properties and the available legislation to bring these properties back into use
- A knowledge of energy efficiency legislation and minimum energy efficiency standards
- An awareness and understanding of the Renters Rights Bill and the impact it will have on Private Sector Housing Teams.
- Experience in the delivery of both discretionary grants and mandatory disabled facilities grants and loans
- A knowledge of building defects.
- Experience of inspecting and licencing HMOs
- An understanding of the legislation used to deal with rogue landlords using the Housing and Planning Act 2016
If you’re looking for an exciting opportunity then this is the role for you. In return, we offer an excellent package of benefits including:
- Hybrid-working (50% in the office, 50% at home – after first 3 weeks in office)
- Employer paid health cash plan
- Salary sacrifice scheme for cars and bikes
- 26 days annual leave per year rising to 33 days - dependent on length of service
- 13 days additional flexi leave per year (subject to operational requirements)
- Option to buy up to 5 days additional annual leave
- Free parking (during work hours) at any Winchester Park and Ride
- Membership to the Local Government Pension Scheme
- Discounts at a range of major high street brands and the two leisure centres in the district
- Season Ticket loans
- Excellent working environment
- Support for continuous professional development
You can find the job description on our Recruitment website:
Recruitment
Private Sector Housing Officer in Southampton employer: Winchester City Council
Winchester City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment for those passionate about improving housing conditions. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide extensive benefits including hybrid working, generous annual leave, and professional development opportunities, all while making a meaningful impact in the community. Join us in our mission to enhance lives through effective housing solutions in the beautiful city of Winchester.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Private Sector Housing Officer in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Winchester City Council, especially those in the Strategic Housing Service Team. A friendly chat can give us insider info and might just help us stand out during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on key legislation like the Housing Act 2004 and the Renters Rights Bill. We want to show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable about the issues that matter in private sector housing.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice our communication skills! Since this role requires excellent communication, let’s do some mock interviews with friends or family. We can focus on explaining complex housing regulations in simple terms to demonstrate our empathy and clarity.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, we can easily keep track of our application status and any updates from the council.
We think you need these skills to ace Private Sector Housing Officer in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience with housing conditions and enforcement. We want to see how your skills align with the role of a Private Sector Housing Officer, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant knowledge!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:As an excellent communicator, it’s crucial to demonstrate this in your written application. Use clear and concise language, and don’t forget to mention any experiences where you’ve effectively communicated complex information to others.
Highlight Relevant Experience:We’re looking for specific experiences related to assessing housing conditions and dealing with HMOs. Be sure to include any relevant roles or projects that showcase your understanding of the Housing Act 2004 and energy efficiency legislation.
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 this exciting opportunity. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Winchester City Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) and the Housing Act 2004. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the role and understand the key legislation involved.
✨Show Your Empathy
As a Private Sector Housing Officer, you'll need to demonstrate empathy and excellent communication skills. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully navigated difficult conversations or made tough decisions that positively impacted others.
✨Research the Team
Familiarise yourself with Winchester City Council's Strategic Housing Service Team and their recent projects. This will not only help you understand their goals but also allow you to tailor your answers to align with their mission during the interview.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could be about the challenges the team is currently facing or how they measure success in the role. It shows your genuine interest and helps you gauge if this is the right fit for you.
