Housing Standards Officer

Monday - Friday
Ongoing temp - perm position
£17p/h PAYE
9am - 5pm
Office based
Must have previous experience within the Housing/Health and Safety industry

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Service Requests

· Investigate requests from residents relating to housing conditions and determine appropriate actions including referrals.

· Assess properties using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System and other public health and housing legislation.

· Compile and maintain accurate reports and records in connection with the above activities.

Private Rented Sector Regulations

· Deal with enquiries relating to the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard, Electrical Safety Regulations, Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations, Letting Agent Redress Scheme and Tenant Fees Act among others.

· Engage with freeholders and their managing agents of blocks of flats on their responsibilities under Fire Safety Legislation.

· Prepare and serve legal notices, prepare prosecution reports, liaise with Legal Services and supervise works in default if required.

Inspection and Investigation

· Undertake inspections associated with the licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation and determine the category of any HMO inspected and the standards that apply to that property type.

· Make referrals to both internal and external agencies where appropriate.

· Investigate allegations of unlawful eviction and harassment and take appropriate action.

· To participate in the delivery of the Council's Empty Homes programme.

· Help support procedures for the inspection, monitoring and enforcement of statutory provisions relating to the private sector housing stock.

Housing Assistance

· Carry out property inspections and validate qualifying works in conjunction with an Occupational Therapist and Home Improvement Agency surveyor.

· Preparing costings and ensuring all documentation is correctly completed prior to approval.

· Approving low-cost variation of works.

· Ensuring excellent communication between the various agencies involved.

· Arranging for completed works to be inspected producing "snagging" reports and signing off works as complete prior to final payment where required.

· Monitor housing grant schemes including Disabled Facilities grant applications, against statutory timescales and budget position and provide update reports to management.

· Liaise with partner organisations including Home Improvement Agency, Social Services, NHS and Public Health, the voluntary and community sector and other local authorities.

· Conduct means testing in accordance with statutory regulations using specialist software for disabled facility grants and other grant applications.

General

· Prepare and maintain manual and computer records.

· Respond to correspondence including email in a timely manner relating to duties carried out.

· Compile reports, statistical returns, performance monitoring and other information as required.

· Assist in the preparation of guidance, policy or procedures.

· Provide advice and guidance to residents, other Council Services and outside bodies in relation to the services delivered by the Housing Standards team.

· To contribute to the delivery and implementation of the Housing Strategy, service improvements and other strategies, where appropriate

· To increase the awareness of the Housing Standards team and to improve the team profile.

· Represent the service at appropriate meetings, conferences, courses, and events as required.

· Keep informed of existing and new legislation, equipment and techniques so as to fulfil the duties of the post, including the use of information technology (e.g. IDOX and other case management systems).

· Support and be part of a programme of training opportunities for the team and partners.

· Set up new suppliers, raising and administration of payments onto Idox and Agresso and updating spreadsheets.

· To complete the requisite hours of continued professional development.

· Provide advice and guidance to residents, other Council Services and outside bodies in relation to the services delivered by the Housing Standards Team.

· Assist the team with respect to promotional activities including the preparation of reports and presentations.

· To carry out research to support project and policy development as directed.

· To work with community health and wellbeing networks to support and improve housing and health impacts for vulnerable residents.

· To initiate and develop effective networks and working relationships with a range of voluntary, public and private sector stakeholders to work productively with partners to deliver shared objectives and measurable outcomes

· Provide project support for the Housing Standards Team as required.

· Raise the awareness of private sector housing matters through the delivery of landlord/agent events combined with the publication of newsletters.

· As a customer focused role be able to communicate with our customers at the agreed level.

· Commitment to the Council's Strategic Plan.

· To undertake any training and development as required.

· To undertake other duties commensurate with the grade of the post