Property Standards and Empty Homes Officer

Aatom Recruitment is looking for Property Standards and Empty Homes Officer  on behalf of a Local Authority.

Job Title: Property Standards and Empty Homes Officer
Contract Duration: 2 Months
Hours Per Week: 36

Work Pattern: 3 days in the office / undertaking site visits with 2 days remote, as the service requires.

About 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 work under the supervision of the senior property standards and empty homes officer to investigate and resolve complaints of poor housing conditions and undertake inspections of caravan sites and take appropriate enforcement action to ensure compliance with appropriate legislation and regulatory requirements.

· You will also be responsible for the maintenance of the Private Sector Housing team’s computerized records systems.

The main purpose of the role:

1. To improve the quality, safety and choice of residential accommodation and meeting the Council’s responsibilities under the Housing Acts and other legislation.

2. To ensure best use of the housing stock by minimising the number of empty properties.

3. To provide an excellent service to owners, occupiers and tenants in all tenures through action by a range of intervention strategies, including enforcement, education and advice.

Specific duties and responsibilities

1. To carry out proactive and programmed inspections of residential properties

2. Investigate complaints regarding housing disrepair, in line with council policies and procedures, using the Housing Health & Safety Rating System (HHSRS). Where necessary and appropriate, to initiate and prepare recommendations for enforcement action in line with council policies and procedures.

3. Inspection, licensing and enforcement of houses of multiple occupation in line with council policies and procedures under supervision by the Senior Housing Standards Officer.

4. Inspection, licensing and enforcement mobile home/ caravan sites in line with council policies and procedures.

5. To lead on the promotion, identifying and monitoring of empty homes and bringing them back into use. Organising awareness of the empty property issues and any initiatives through appropriate promotional materials, publicity and education and proactively approaching the owners of empty properties and advising them on their options.

6. To use the council’s powers under the Renters Rights Act, to support the provision of well managed and maintained rented housing within the borough, working collaboratively with tenants, landlords, managing agents and colleagues across the council

7. Undertake general environmental protection complaint work under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 where relating to statutory nuisances.

8. To advise residents, owners and landlords on matters of disrepair, housing standards and, in general terms, on the procurement and funding of building works.

9. Where statutory notices have been served, monitor compliance and take appropriate action in the event of failure to comply

10. To provide all necessary information and evidence to facilitate legal proceedings and appear as a witness for the Council in legal proceedings, tribunals and enquiries, as directed.

11. Maintain records and reports and provide such statistical information as may be required in relation to the duties attached to the post

12. Represent the council at meetings with internal and external partners.

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

14. Promote good working relationships with partners such as Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, Care & Repair (home improvement agency), Council, other local authorities and internal departments.

15. The post holder is required to be flexible and provide cover and support to other Officers in the Service, as necessary.

16. To review and arrange updates to the council’s website and other communications in relation to the work and responsibilities of the Housing Standards team.

17. To undertake, where appropriate, visits and checks to properties hosting or due to host Ukrainian households through the Homes for Ukraine scheme and undertake and post occupation visits, where required.