Private Sector Housing Officer

London Contract £50 - £60 Per Hour

Private Sector Housing Officer - South London

Location: South London
Rate: Up to £60 per hour
Contract: Initial 6-Month Contract
Working Arrangement: Hybrid - 3 Days Onsite, 2 Days Remote

A ambitious South London local authority is seeking an experienced Private Sector Housing Officer to join its established Housing Enforcement team.

This is an opportunity to work within a busy private rented sector service, undertaking a varied caseload of housing enforcement and housing standards work, helping to improve property conditions, raise management standards and protect tenants across the borough. The team is currently delivering a significant programme of housing regulation, property licensing and enforcement activity, making this an excellent opportunity for experienced officers looking for a technically challenging contract.

The Role

The successful candidate will manage a diverse caseload of private sector housing matters, from initial complaint through to resolution, undertaking inspections, assessing housing conditions and determining appropriate enforcement action.

Key Responsibilities

Undertaking HHSRS inspections and property assessments.
Investigating complaints relating to housing conditions within the private rented sector.
Managing housing enforcement cases from inception through to closure.
Identifying enforcement options and determining appropriate courses of action.
Serving statutory notices under housing legislation.
Investigating unlicensed HMOs and property licensing breaches.
Conducting HMO inspections and enforcement activity.
Preparing case files, witness statements and enforcement documentation.
Working closely with legal services, landlords, tenants and partner agencies.
Managing a demanding caseload whilst maintaining accurate records and evidential standards.
Supporting wider housing standards, regulatory and compliance initiatives within the service.

Candidate Requirements

Applicants should be able to demonstrate recent experience in:

HHSRS inspections.
Housing Act 2004 enforcement.
HMO inspections and compliance.
Housing standards investigations.
Serving statutory notices.
Private rented sector enforcement.
Managing complex housing enforcement caseloads independently.
Liaising effectively with landlords, tenants and legal services.

Desirable Experience

Civil penalties.
Prosecution case preparation.
Court and tribunal attendance.
Licensing enforcement.
PACE interviews.
Complex enforcement investigations.

About You

Successful candidates will be able to:

Demonstrate sound knowledge of housing enforcement legislation.
Explain enforcement cases they have personally managed from inspection through to resolution.
Make informed decisions regarding informal and formal enforcement approaches.
Prepare and serve enforcement notices confidently.
Manage difficult conversations with landlords and agents.
Maintain strong evidential standards and record keeping practices.
Prioritise workloads effectively with minimal supervision.

What's on Offer?

This role offers the chance to join a proactive local authority with a strong commitment to improving housing conditions across the private rented sector.