Private Sector Housing Officer
| Dyddiad hysbysebu: | 12 Awst 2025 |
|---|---|
| Cyflog: | £39,152 i £44,075 bob blwyddyn |
| Oriau: | Llawn Amser |
| Dyddiad cau: | 11 Medi 2025 |
| Lleoliad: | Winchester, Hampshire |
| Gweithio o bell: | Hybrid - gweithio o bell hyd at 3 ddiwrnod yr wythnos |
| Cwmni: | Ecruit |
| Math o swydd: | Parhaol |
| Cyfeirnod swydd: | PSHO WINCHESTER |
Crynodeb
JOB TITLE: Private Sector Housing Officer
DEPARTMENT: Strategic Housing (Private Sector Housing)
POST NUMBER: 1968
GRADE: Scale 5
DURATION OF ROLE: 18 months
HOURS: 37 hours per week
ACCOUNTABLE TO: Senior Private Sector Housing Officer
LOCATION: City Offices and hybrid working from home (first three weeks at the City Offices)
POST OBJECTIVE: To contribute to improving the quality of the private sector housing stock and ensure the sector is able to fulfil its potential in meeting housing need in the district. The post holder may be required to line manage one officer and will undertake the full range of private sector housing functions, including enforcement, complaint work, the licencing of HMOs, the delivery of disabled facilities grants, the inspection on empty homes as required, as well as assist in the annual inspection of mobile home parks.
SPECIFIC TASKS:
To line manage, if required, the Private Sector Housing Administrator.
To investigate under the provisions of the Housing Act 2004, Environmental Protection Act 1990.
To inspect, with a high level of competency, all types of private dwellings in the private rented sector including houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) to ensure compliance with public health and housing legislation.
To carry out house condition surveys and risk assessments for the purposes of identifying structural and other serious deficiencies and hazards, using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), the Decent Homes Standard and any successor systems and standards.
On receipt of a service request, make an initial assessment, exercising professional judgement as to the nature and seriousness of the housing standards defect. Seek to resolve the issue informally if appropriate or progress towards immediate formal enforcement action.
Draft schedules of works, notices and orders for enforcement under the provisions of the Housing Act 2004 and other relevant legislation in accordance with the council’s scheme of delegation.
To undertake follow–up inspections where statutory notices, and informal notices have been served to determine whether the works have been satisfactorily completed.
In licensed properties monitor and assess compliance with licensing conditions.
Correspond with landlords and managing agents to achieve compliance with all relevant legislation.
Prepare prosecution cases in accordance with the Private Sector Housing enforcement policy, PACE and other relevant legislation and within legal time limits.
To appear at Magistrates Court, County Court or tribunal to give evidence when required as a witness for the council in respect of prosecution cases.
Attend tribunal hearings in relation to appeals against action taken under all relevant legislation as delegated under the council’s scheme of delegation.
To investigate reports of empty homes within the district and to take appropriate action wherever possible to bring a property back into use.
Help maintain the register of empty homes in accordance with Council policy.
To consider and comment on applications for planning permission in respect of all housing matters.
Deliver and administer Disabled Facilities Grants and be fully conversant in the Housing Grants Construction and Regeneration Act 1996.
Undertake other duties as may reasonably be expected and required within the general scope of the role.
Equality
Winchester City Council bases its employment practices on the concept of equal opportunity. As an equal opportunity employer the Council opposes all forms of discrimination or unfair treatment on the grounds of gender, marital status, race, colour, nationality, national origin, ethnic origin, religious belief, sexual orientation, disability or June 2025 June 2025 age. No employee or job applicant will be disadvantaged by any condition or requirement which cannot be shown to be justifiable.
Personal Specification
HNC/HND/BSc/master’s in environmental health or a building construction related area.
Evidence of Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS.) 2 Day Course Certificate.
Previous experience of working in private sector housing or similar environment.
Experience of undertaking housing survey inspections and diagnosing property defects through a practical knowledge of building construction & maintenance.
Working experience of communicating with landlords regarding their responsibilities towards maintaining a safe home and compliance with housing law.
Experience of preparing evidence for prosecutions and appearing at court as a witness.
Experience of using and applying the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS.)
Experience of drafting and serving a range of legal notices.
Experience of the inspection of non-licensable and licensable HMOs.
A knowledge of the legislation to deal with rogue landlords under the Housing and Planning Act 2016.
A knowledge of energy efficiency legislation in relation to privately rented properties.
An understanding of the new Renters Rights Bill and how it will impact the council.
Ability to communicate complex information well to a range of individuals and organisations through reports, verbal briefings and presentations.
Ability to deal with people at all levels, both internals and externally, using a variety of communication methods.
Ability to work under pressure to plan, prioritise and time manage competing demands of a varied case load to ensure that targets are met.
Ability to handle complaints calmly and effectively and deal with difficult and confrontational customers.
Good numeracy skills and ability to carry out simple mathematical analysis.
Able to meet the travel requirements of the post.
Commitment to customer care and service users.
Full valid UK Driving Licence.
DEPARTMENT: Strategic Housing (Private Sector Housing)
POST NUMBER: 1968
GRADE: Scale 5
DURATION OF ROLE: 18 months
HOURS: 37 hours per week
ACCOUNTABLE TO: Senior Private Sector Housing Officer
LOCATION: City Offices and hybrid working from home (first three weeks at the City Offices)
POST OBJECTIVE: To contribute to improving the quality of the private sector housing stock and ensure the sector is able to fulfil its potential in meeting housing need in the district. The post holder may be required to line manage one officer and will undertake the full range of private sector housing functions, including enforcement, complaint work, the licencing of HMOs, the delivery of disabled facilities grants, the inspection on empty homes as required, as well as assist in the annual inspection of mobile home parks.
SPECIFIC TASKS:
To line manage, if required, the Private Sector Housing Administrator.
To investigate under the provisions of the Housing Act 2004, Environmental Protection Act 1990.
To inspect, with a high level of competency, all types of private dwellings in the private rented sector including houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) to ensure compliance with public health and housing legislation.
To carry out house condition surveys and risk assessments for the purposes of identifying structural and other serious deficiencies and hazards, using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), the Decent Homes Standard and any successor systems and standards.
On receipt of a service request, make an initial assessment, exercising professional judgement as to the nature and seriousness of the housing standards defect. Seek to resolve the issue informally if appropriate or progress towards immediate formal enforcement action.
Draft schedules of works, notices and orders for enforcement under the provisions of the Housing Act 2004 and other relevant legislation in accordance with the council’s scheme of delegation.
To undertake follow–up inspections where statutory notices, and informal notices have been served to determine whether the works have been satisfactorily completed.
In licensed properties monitor and assess compliance with licensing conditions.
Correspond with landlords and managing agents to achieve compliance with all relevant legislation.
Prepare prosecution cases in accordance with the Private Sector Housing enforcement policy, PACE and other relevant legislation and within legal time limits.
To appear at Magistrates Court, County Court or tribunal to give evidence when required as a witness for the council in respect of prosecution cases.
Attend tribunal hearings in relation to appeals against action taken under all relevant legislation as delegated under the council’s scheme of delegation.
To investigate reports of empty homes within the district and to take appropriate action wherever possible to bring a property back into use.
Help maintain the register of empty homes in accordance with Council policy.
To consider and comment on applications for planning permission in respect of all housing matters.
Deliver and administer Disabled Facilities Grants and be fully conversant in the Housing Grants Construction and Regeneration Act 1996.
Undertake other duties as may reasonably be expected and required within the general scope of the role.
Equality
Winchester City Council bases its employment practices on the concept of equal opportunity. As an equal opportunity employer the Council opposes all forms of discrimination or unfair treatment on the grounds of gender, marital status, race, colour, nationality, national origin, ethnic origin, religious belief, sexual orientation, disability or June 2025 June 2025 age. No employee or job applicant will be disadvantaged by any condition or requirement which cannot be shown to be justifiable.
Personal Specification
HNC/HND/BSc/master’s in environmental health or a building construction related area.
Evidence of Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS.) 2 Day Course Certificate.
Previous experience of working in private sector housing or similar environment.
Experience of undertaking housing survey inspections and diagnosing property defects through a practical knowledge of building construction & maintenance.
Working experience of communicating with landlords regarding their responsibilities towards maintaining a safe home and compliance with housing law.
Experience of preparing evidence for prosecutions and appearing at court as a witness.
Experience of using and applying the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS.)
Experience of drafting and serving a range of legal notices.
Experience of the inspection of non-licensable and licensable HMOs.
A knowledge of the legislation to deal with rogue landlords under the Housing and Planning Act 2016.
A knowledge of energy efficiency legislation in relation to privately rented properties.
An understanding of the new Renters Rights Bill and how it will impact the council.
Ability to communicate complex information well to a range of individuals and organisations through reports, verbal briefings and presentations.
Ability to deal with people at all levels, both internals and externally, using a variety of communication methods.
Ability to work under pressure to plan, prioritise and time manage competing demands of a varied case load to ensure that targets are met.
Ability to handle complaints calmly and effectively and deal with difficult and confrontational customers.
Good numeracy skills and ability to carry out simple mathematical analysis.
Able to meet the travel requirements of the post.
Commitment to customer care and service users.
Full valid UK Driving Licence.