Disrepair Surveyor

The Disrepair Surveyor is responsible for managing housing disrepair claims across the organisation's social housing portfolio. The role involves inspecting properties, diagnosing building defects, preparing specifications for remedial works, managing contractors, ensuring legal compliance, and delivering high-quality repairs that improve customer satisfaction while reducing the organisation's exposure to disrepair litigation.

The successful candidate will possess extensive experience within the social housing sector and demonstrate a sound understanding of building pathology, property maintenance, repairs legislation, and landlord responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

The post holder will carry out detailed inspections of occupied and void social housing properties to identify building defects and investigate reported disrepair issues. They will diagnose the root causes of defects and prepare comprehensive survey reports, schedules of works, specifications, and cost estimates to support the delivery of appropriate remedial works.

The role includes managing housing disrepair cases from initial inspection through to completion, ensuring that all works are delivered within agreed timescales and in accordance with legal requirements. The Surveyor will work closely with legal teams by providing technical advice, preparing reports to support disrepair claims, and attending court proceedings, mediations, or expert meetings where required.

The successful candidate will oversee contractors, monitor the quality of completed works, undertake post-inspections, and ensure repairs meet the required standards. They will investigate and resolve issues relating to damp, mould, condensation, structural movement, roofing defects, drainage, plumbing, and general building fabric.

The Surveyor will provide technical advice and support to colleagues across Property Services, Housing Management, and contractor teams. They will maintain accurate property records using housing and asset management systems and contribute to service improvements aimed at reducing recurring disrepair cases and improving resident satisfaction.

The role requires compliance with all relevant legislation, including the Landlord and Tenant Act, the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act, the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), Building Regulations, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, and all applicable Health and Safety legislation.

Essential Skills and Experience

Applicants must have proven experience working as a Surveyor within the social housing sector and demonstrate significant experience of managing housing disrepair claims. They should possess strong technical knowledge of building construction, maintenance, and defect diagnosis, together with experience of preparing specifications and schedules of works.

Candidates should have a thorough understanding of common building defects, including damp, mould, condensation, structural movement, roofing failures, and building pathology. Experience of managing contractors, inspecting completed works, and ensuring quality standards is essential.

Excellent written communication skills are required to produce clear technical reports, together with strong interpersonal skills to build effective relationships with residents, contractors, legal representatives, and colleagues. Applicants should be capable of managing a varied workload, prioritising effectively, and meeting deadlines while maintaining high levels of accuracy.

Competence in Microsoft Office applications and housing or asset management systems is expected, together with possession of a full UK driving licence.

Desirable Qualifications

A degree or HNC/HND in Building Surveying, Construction, or a related discipline is desirable, together with professional membership of RICS, CIOB, CABE, or evidence of working towards accreditation. Additional qualifications such as HHSRS accreditation, knowledge of NEC or JCT contracts, Asbestos Awareness training, and Health and Safety qualifications including IOSH or NEBOSH would be advantageous.

Key Competencies

The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent technical surveying knowledge and a strong ability to diagnose building defects accurately. They will possess excellent report-writing skills, sound commercial awareness, strong decision-making abilities, and effective contractor management experience. They will be highly organised, customer focused, and able to manage competing priorities while maintaining excellent attention to detail. Strong communication, negotiation, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills are essential.

Performance Measures

Performance will be assessed through the effective management and reduction of outstanding disrepair cases, compliance with statutory and legal timescales, delivery of high-quality repair works, contractor performance, budget management, customer satisfaction, reduction in repeat repairs, and the quality and accuracy of technical reporting.

Working Conditions

The role combines office-based, home-working, and site-based activities and requires regular travel across the housing portfolio to undertake inspections of occupied and void properties. The successful candidate may also be required to attend resident meetings, legal proceedings, and other meetings relating to housing disrepair matters.

Person Profile

The ideal candidate will be an experienced Disrepair Surveyor with a strong background in social housing and a comprehensive understanding of housing repairs, building defects, and landlord obligations. They will be capable of managing complex disrepair cases while maintaining excellent customer service and ensuring legal compliance. They will demonstrate professionalism, technical competence, integrity, and a commitment to delivering safe, high-quality homes for residents.