Housing Standards Officer

We are currently recruiting for a Housing Standards Officer in Rochdale.

Pay rate: £20 PAYE – per hour (paid weekly)

Hours: 37 flexible working hours in accordance with the needs of the service.  – Hybrid working

Contract duration: Temporary ongoing

Purpose:

To assist the Housing Standards Team Lead in delivering a housing standards service which includes carrying out property surveys and inspections using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, the implementation of both reactive and proactive enforcement of Housing Legislation, HMO Licensing, Empty Properties and Landlord Accreditation.

Principal Duties:

• Undertake property surveys using the Housing Health & Safety Rating System (HHSRS) where required.
• Implement the Client’s approved policies and duties in relation to all aspects of housing standards.
• Provide a pro-active and reactive service to private tenants making use of existing powers under the Housing Act 2004.
• Assist in the delivery of the Client’s Mandatory and Additional HMO Licensing Scheme and the Client’s Landlord Accreditation Scheme.
• Assist in the delivery of the Empty Property Strategy, including identifying and visiting empty properties, liaison with other agencies, communication with owners of empty properties and identifying solutions to deal with empty properties both in the short term and long term.
• Provide guidance and advice to owners, landlords, and tenants in interpreting HHSRS surveys, schedules of work and legislative requirements.
• Support the Housing Standards Team Lead and Technical staff in relation to housing standards, by:
• Investigating complaints, and undertaking service requests from tenants/landlords/owners, in relation to any housing standards matter by:
  • Liaising with the Housing Technical Officer in the preparation of schedules of work based on HHSRS survey reports.
  • Preparing statutory notices on infringements of Housing legislation, preparation of files for prosecution, assist with carrying out interview under caution ensuring the requirements of PACE are met and where necessary to appear as a witness on behalf of the client at courts of law, public inquiries, tribunals and at other outside meetings as required.
  • Conducting investigations and interviews under caution ensuring the requirements of PACE (Police & Criminal Evidence Act) are adhered to.
  • Undertaking reactive and proactive site visits / inspections, and taking any necessary remedial action to ensure compliance with legislative standards relating to empty properties;
  • Undertaking surveys, surveillance, research activities and project work;
  • Participating in activities such as Landlord Accreditation Forums and Community Meetings
  • Contributing to all other appropriate activities undertaken across the strategic housing service
• Maintain effective liaison with other enforcement agencies and to foster partnership working.
• Ensure the consistent approach of the Housing Health & Safety Rating System (HHSRS), maintaining knowledge, contributing to and keeping up to date with worked examples, changes in legislation.
• Assist senior officers in the production of reports to committees and other bodies (including reports which provide information and statistics for submission to appropriate bodies on the work of the section).
• Maintain all pertinent records (manual and computerised) to comply with requirements of the section, service, service group, council or government.
• Participate in partnership working arrangements with other services, other local authorities or external agencies as required within the designated team.
• Ensure that client’s equipment allocated to the officer is kept in good working condition, and (where required) to work with senior officers in the maintenance / update of such equipment.
• Keep up to date with developments in the field of housing standards.

Apply online or contact Terri O’Keefe on 07879 585551. You can also email terri@peelsolutions.co.uk  for more information on this role.