Private Sector Housing Team Leader

Our client, a local authority in the South West, is looking for an experienced interim Team Leader to take the reins on HMO Licensing and Enforcement.

This is a focused brief — HMO licensing and enforcement casework, following a recent restructure that's split this out from the wider enforcement function. If you want to lead a team, clear a backlog, and get stuck into real HMO casework without the sprawl of a broader service, this is it.

What you'll be doing:

• Leading the HMO Licensing and Enforcement function
• Processing HMO applications — Mandatory, Additional, and Selective Licensing
• Managing and reducing backlogs of licence applications and inspections
• Carrying out and overseeing HMO inspections (HHSRS)
• Assessing property conditions, amenity standards, and management arrangements
• Reviewing and serving enforcement notices — Improvement Notices, Prohibition Orders, licence condition breaches
• Tackling non-compliance — unlicensed HMOs, rogue landlords, licence breaches
• Processing Civil Penalty Notices under the Housing Act 2004
• Managing prosecution files and evidence for serious cases
• Leading and supporting a team of EHOs / Housing Enforcement Officers / Licensing Officers
• Allocating casework and managing team performance
• Liaising with the council's Planning Enforcement/Envirocrime function on cross-over cases
• Handling landlord, tenant, and member enquiries
• Reporting casework status and performance to management

What you'll bring:

• Local authority background in Private Sector Housing, Environmental Health, or Housing Standards
• Hands-on HMO Licensing experience (Mandatory, Additional, Selective)
• Practical HMO enforcement experience — notices, prosecutions, civil penalties
• Solid working knowledge of the Housing Act 2004, HMO Management Regulations, HHSRS
• Team leadership/supervisory experience
• A track record of clearing backlogs
• Confidence with case management and evidence gathering for enforcement

Nice to have:

• EHORB registration or CIEH membership
• Experience with Selective/Additional Licensing designations
• Prohibition Notices, Improvement Notices, Smoke Alarm Remedial Notices
• PACE interviewing / prosecution file experience
• Previous interim/locum local authority experience