Private Sector Housing Officer

Job Description

3-month contract with a Local Authority

Umbrella Rate: £29.97 - £36.45 per hour umbrella

Summary

• We are seeking a Private Sector Housing Officer to ensure conditions and management in private residential accommodation are of a satisfactory standard. You will assess housing conditions, process property licences, administer grants, and take necessary enforcement action to improve residents' lives.
  

Responsibilities

• Undertake investigations, programmed inspections, and relevant enforcement under the Housing Act 2004, Environmental Protection Act 1990, Housing and Planning Act 2016, and Renters' Rights Act 2025.
  
• Assess housing conditions using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) and draft schedules of works, notices, and orders to achieve compliance.
  
• Process applications for property licences, including inspecting conditions, assessing management standards, and monitoring compliance.
  
• Correspond with landlords and managing agents, issuing Simple Cautions and Financial Penalty Notices, and preparing prosecution or tribunal cases when required.
  
• Assess and process applications for Disabled Facilities and Minor Adaptations Grants, scrutinising schedules of works and estimates.
  
• Maintain comprehensive casework records in the service's IT database and respond promptly to customer contact and correspondence.
  

Experience

• Experience of inspection, enforcement, and/or grant work in private sector housing (ideally within a local authority context).
  
• Experience in preparing statutory notices, reports, and evidence for enforcement action (e.g., formal cautions, civil penalties, prosecutions).
  
• Depending on the grade level, experience in project management, report writing, and delivering training or presentations to stakeholders.
  

Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in Environmental Health (or an equivalent housing-related qualification).
  
• A recognised HHSRS Practitioner Course.
  

Additional Information

• Working hours: 35 hours per week (To be considered)
  
• We work on biweekly payment schedule.
  
• This is a Hybrid role with 2 days in office, based in Hackney.
  

Requirements
Housing Strategy Officer