Private Sector Housing Team Leader in Shefford

Shefford, United Kingdom | Posted on 07/10/2026

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Job Description

8 Month Contract With A Local Authority

Job Purpose

To lead and manage the delivery of Private Sector Housing services, ensuring effective regulation and improvement of housing standards across the private rented sector and wider private housing stock.

The postholder will provide operational leadership and specialist technical expertise across a range of Private Sector Housing functions, including housing enforcement, HMO licensing, housing standards, housing assistance programmes and housing renewal initiatives. The role will support the delivery of the Council's Housing Assistance Policy, environmental sustainability objectives and investment programmes, while ensuring statutory duties are effectively discharged.

The Team Leader will manage a team of Environmental Health Officers and Technical Officers, oversee complex enforcement activity and provide professional guidance on high-risk and complex housing cases.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Private Sector Housing Team, ensuring the effective delivery of statutory housing functions.
• Line manage Environmental Health Officers, Technical Officers and other staff within the service area.
• Monitor service performance, workloads, customer outcomes and statutory compliance.
• Support the Head of Housing Solutions in the development and delivery of housing strategies, policies and service improvements.
• Use statutory housing enforcement powers to regulate, improve and maintain housing conditions within the private sector.
• Lead on complex and high-risk housing enforcement cases.
• Provide expert advice and guidance on:
  • Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
  • Housing Act powers
  • HMO Licensing
  • Private Sector Housing Enforcement
  • Housing Standards
  • Housing Assistance Programmes
• Undertake and manage a reduced caseload of complex investigations and enforcement cases.
• Attend inspections alongside officers and provide technical support on difficult or contentious cases.
• Review and provide quality assurance on:
  • Prosecution Files
  • Financial Penalty Notices
  • Tribunal Cases
  • Formal Enforcement Actions
  • Evidence Files
• Prepare and review schedules of work, statutory notices and enforcement documentation.
• Monitor and support the delivery of Housing Assistance programmes and associated funding schemes.
• Provide expert advice to residents, landlords, property owners, developers and stakeholders.
• Act as an escalation point for customer enquiries and complex service requests.
• Ensure compliance with housing legislation, statutory guidance and Council policies.
• Support service budget monitoring, funding allocations and programme delivery.
• Contribute to initiatives that improve housing quality, sustainability and investment in the private housing sector.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal departments, partner agencies, landlords and housing providers.
• Promote excellent customer service standards and continuous improvement across the service.
• Support staff development through supervision, training, mentoring and performance management.

Requirements

• Significant experience within Private Sector Housing, Environmental Health Housing or Housing Enforcement.
• Experience managing or supervising professional staff.
• Extensive knowledge of:
  • Housing Act legislation
  • Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
  • HMO Licensing
  • Private Sector Housing Enforcement
  • Housing Standards and Compliance
  • Housing Assistance and Grant Programmes
• Experience undertaking complex housing enforcement investigations.
• Experience preparing prosecution files, enforcement notices and tribunal cases.Experience reviewing and approving enforcement actions and legal casework.
• Strong understanding of regulatory and enforcement practices.Experience providing technical guidance and support to professional officers.
• Excellent customer service, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage workloads, performance and competing priorities effectively.
• Strong report writing, analytical and decision-making skills.
• Experience working within a Local Authority or regulatory services environment.
• Degree or professional qualification in Environmental Health, Housing or a related discipline.
• Environmental Health Registration or equivalent professional accreditation.
• Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) qualification.
• Experience managing housing assistance, grants or renewal programmes.
• Experience presenting cases at court, tribunal or appeal hearings.
• Knowledge of sustainability initiatives relating to housing and residential property improvement.

  Additional Information

  • Location: Central Bedfordshire
  • Payment Frequency: Bi-Weekly Payments
  • Remote - Office attendance is as of when needed

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