Jobs

Our local authority client based in Surrey are urgently seeking an Senior Property Standards & Empty Homes Officer.

The Role:

The main function of this role is to improve the housing quality within Borough Council by working proactively and reactively working to improve housing standards across all tenures and reduce the number of empty properties in the borough.

You will be able to make appropriate decisions, that resolve problems identified by exploring and considering a range of options and solutions in line with the council's Housing Enforcement Policy and procedures.

You will also be expected to lead on complex cases and prepare documentation for Court action when necessary. You will be responsible for the supervision and delegation work to the property standards officer

To work towards agreed objectives using own initiative to develop, prioritise and review activities by establishing work programmes and targets, ensuring desirable work outcomes are achieved within agreed time frames.


To deal with requests and complaints from members of the public about poor housing conditions, investigate and take appropriate action, including:
Undertaking property inspections
Identifying defects and hazards using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System
Identifying statutory nuisances
Identifying statutory overcrowding
Completing inspection reports and schedules of work
Assessing best course of action to ensure compliance with legislation and council's Enforcement Policy.
Where appropriate taking enforcement action including writing letters, undertaking interviews under caution and service of statutory notices through to prosecution proceedings and the undertaking of works in default.
Attending court or Residential Property Tribunal and giving evidence as necessary.
Liaise and negotiate with appropriate people and bodies e.g. fire officers, planners, solicitors, landlords, tenants

To identify empty homes and bringing them back into use through:
Supervise the proactive work carried out by the property standards officer to bring their property back into use.
Dealing with complex complaints and enquiries concerning empty properties and where necessary, undertake detailed inspections and take appropriate enforcement actions.
Prepare recommendations in line with council policies, and refer to other sections /organisations as appropriate

Liaison with colleagues in the council's Finance and Customer Services teams as regards the status and updating of the council's list of long-term empty properties
Organising awareness of the empty property issues and any initiatives through appropriate promotional materials, publicity and education.

To promote and monitor minimum standards in Houses in Multiple Occupation and administer the Council's HMO Licensing Scheme including:
Identification and maintenance of HMO database
Proactive inspection and regular monitoring of HMO dwellings
Dealing with enquiries and applications for HMO licences
Assessing applications for HMO licences, issuing licences and monitoring compliance with licence conditions
Taking enforcement action in relation to non-compliance with licence conditions, not having a licence or otherwise not complying with statutory HMO requirements.

To administer Caravan Site Licensing for the Borough including:
Deal with enquiries and requests for Caravan site licences
Process applications for licences and undertake inspections
Monitoring site licence conditions and take enforcement action in relation to non-compliance with licence conditions, not having a licence

To assist the Council's Housing Options Service by undertaking property inspections for the purposes of identifying statutory overcrowding and disrepair in relation to applicants on the Housing Register and the council's rent deposit scheme, including providing written inspection reports.

To lead in the promotion of home energy conservation and meeting the council's obligations under the Home Energy Conservation Act.

To assist in the management and administration of the Private Sector Housing IT system including the inputting of records, updating of records and producing regular reports for personal casework monitoring and monitoring and measuring team performance. Assist with the security, set up and implementation of system upgrades.

Take an active role in promoting all of the Council's policies and strategies for private sector housing and to assist in the development and review of policies, procedures and strategies related to private sector housing as required by legislative change, new initiatives and the ongoing need to strive for service improvements.

Keep up to date with current legislation, regulations, guidance and technical developments

Represent the council at meetings with internal and external partners.

Maintain a working knowledge of the law governing the Council's duties and responsibilities to residents in the private housing sector.

Develop sound working relationships with other agencies both inside and outside the Council to facilitate the Section's work.

Please apply with your updated CV ensuring that any gaps in employment are explained.

At this point, may we take this opportunity to thank you for the interest you have shown in this role. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not always possible to respond to everyone. Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 7 days, your application for this vacancy may not have been shortlist by the client.