- Pay Rate:
£24.01 per hour PAYE
- Hours per Week:
35 Monday – Friday, normal working hours
This opening assignment is for 5-6 months
- Merton, London,
SM4 5DX
Interim Enforcement Officer – Private Housing
Reference no: Merton 5234624
Pay Rate: £24.01 per hour PAYE
35 hours Monday – Friday, normal working hours
This opening assignment is for 5-6 months
City: Merton, London
The purpose of the role is to deliver the Council’s strategic priorities relating to improving property conditions and housing standards in the private rented sector. work proactively in identifying licensable properties, improving property conditions, and improving housing management standards in the private rented sector within designated wards.
Key responsibilities:
- Assess single dwellings and Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) within designated wards and proactively identifying potential licensable properties.
- Review licensing applications received, undertaking all duties required to determine if licensing requirements have been met before issuing a licence, taking into consideration the status and suitability of property.
- Undertake all duties associated with identifying and issuing licences, including conducting research, acting on intelligence data received, and proactively pursuing landlords reluctant to engage, ensuring they are aware of their legal responsibilities.
- Conduct inspections and investigations of all suspected and actual licensable properties under the Housing Act 2004 using the HHSRS guidance to identify breaches.
- Recommend remedial courses of action to landlords to improve standards of properties, communicating the necessary works and suitable timescales for improvement.
- Where standards have not been met, take the necessary action to improve the property through the issuing of formal notices, statutory letters and other appropriate means and methods.
- Participate in training and information sharing with licensed landlords & managing agents in relation to relevant legislation and good practice guidance.
- Offer advice and guidance to landlords and letting agents, supporting them on how to effectively deal with occupier challenging behaviour as part of the promotion of improvement of housing conditions and management of through a range of mediums including in the Council’s Landlord Forum.
- Provide advice and information to occupiers in relation to their rights and responsibilities and promote good practice when dealing with antisocial behaviour and other issues that impact on the well-being of the areas.
- Undertake investigations into breaches of the legislative provisions enforced by the
- Licensing and Enforcement Team, and deal with any follow up work or enforcement action required including, but not limited to, preparation of Court cases, and representation of the Authority.
- Present evidence and give professional advice on behalf of the Council in Court, Ombudsman enquiries and tribunals.
NB: Please feel free to apply to us direct via [email protected] by quoting the job reference and job title exactly. SEE DETAILS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS AD.
If you have previously applied to one of our vacancies and have already sent the required supporting documentation to us, please make this clear when you re-apply as this will help speed up your application.
To help speed up the process of uploading your CV to the client we would suggest that you send us your CV in Word format (or equivalent) if possible, rather than as a PDF.
Please quote the Job Title & Vacancy Reference No. in your application, or we will be unable to match your CV to the role being applied for.
Other “Essential Requirements” – Please check to ensure that your CV addresses the following items:
Qualifications:
- Hold a UK Degree or Diploma in Environmental Health, or equivalent in a relevant discipline or extensive relevant practical experience
- Membership of a relevant professional body such as Chartered Institute of Environmental Health or Chartered Institute of Housing (Certified Practitioner status) or equivalent; or eligibility to achieve such membership and a commitment to attain it within 6 months of appointment
Knowledge & Experience:
- Minimum of 12 months recent experience in a similar role, or context and ideally within a public sector organisation.
- Clear knowledge and understanding of licensing and enforcement in private sector housing or similar regulatory compliance processes and the role of local government.
- Sound knowledge of HHSRS and enforcement powers under Housing Act 2004 and other relevant legislation. ‘or ability to achieve the knowledge with training within the first 3 months’
- Knowledge of licensing application processes and the interfaces with database and case management systems. Understanding of performance information systems and their role in service monitoring and continuous improvement
- Experience of licensing and enforcement powers under relevant legislation.
- Experience of carrying out enforcement related investigations and preparing cases for legal action.
- Demonstrable ability to deliver improvement in housing conditions and reduce disrepair and HHSRS non-compliance in the private sector or similar regulatory compliance processes
- Experiencing in coping with changing priorities and demands in a political environment and an ability to work in a co-operative and constructive manner with other teams and Council Members and other agencies in partnership
Skills & Abilities:
- Ability to work on own initiative, utilising case management systems to manage, maintain and monitor caseloads, whilst being responsive to and supporting the work of the Licensing and Enforcement Team.
- Ability to carry out inspections/investigations, review the information gathered and to take appropriate follow up action in accordance with legislation, guidance, procedures, and policy.
- Ability to influence others, negotiate effectively, de-escalate confrontation, and manage situations where there is disagreement or conflict
- Ability to review complex information and assess against criteria for decision making or reporting requirements.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present information coherently and concisely for a wide range of internal staff, Members, and external organisations.
- ICT Skills: Strong IT skills including Microsoft packages or equivalent (e.g. G Suite).
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