Private Sector Housing Officer

Private Sector Housing Officer

Bromsgrove District Council and Redditch Borough Council

Help us make homes safer and improve housing standards

Situated in North Worcestershire, Bromsgrove District Council and Redditch Borough Council share services. The Councils are committed to being a customer driven organisation, with our customers at the heart of everything we do; focused on improving delivery services that make a difference to the community that we serve.

Do you have experience of inspecting homes, identifying building defects and taking housing enforcement action?

Would you like to use your knowledge and skills to improve housing conditions and make a real difference to people's lives?

Bromsgrove District Council and Redditch Borough Council are looking for an experienced Private Sector Housing Officer to join our shared team. We are looking for someone who understands housing standards, has practical experience of enforcement and enjoys working with people to achieve positive outcomes.

About the role

You will inspect homes, investigate housing complaints and take action to improve poor housing conditions. You will use the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) to assess hazards and decide what action is needed. You will need a good understanding of how homes are built, what causes common building defects and how they can be put right. You will manage your own cases, from the first inspection through to taking enforcement action where needed. This includes preparing legal notices, gathering evidence and writing reports. Your work will cover a range of areas, including housing disrepair, Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), empty homes, energy efficiency, mobile home sites and unlawful landlord practices.

What you'll be doing

• Inspecting homes and using HHSRS to identify and assess housing hazards.
• Investigating complaints about poor housing conditions and breaches of housing law.
• Identifying building defects, including damp and mould, poor ventilation, excess cold, structural problems and fire safety risks.
• Using your knowledge of building construction to identify suitable repairs and improvements.
• Preparing and serving legal notices, schedules of works and other enforcement documents.
• Gathering evidence, preparing reports and supporting civil penalties, appeals or prosecutions when needed.
• Inspecting HMOs, checking licence conditions and investigating breaches of management regulations.
• Applying housing legislation, including the Housing Act 2004, Renters' Rights Act 2025 and other relevant laws.
• Managing your own cases and making fair, evidence-based decisions about enforcement.
• Working with landlords, tenants, agents and other organisations to improve housing standards.

What we're looking for

You will need practical experience of housing inspections and enforcement, along with a good understanding of residential buildings.

We're looking for someone who has:

• Experience of inspecting homes independently and carrying out HHSRS assessments.
• A good understanding of building construction, common defects, their causes and suitable repairs.
• Experience of investigating housing complaints and taking formal enforcement action.
• Experience of preparing legal notices, schedules of works and supporting evidence.
• Knowledge of the Housing Act 2004 and how to apply housing legislation in practice.
• The ability to assess information, make fair decisions and explain the reasons for those decisions.
• Good communication, negotiation and report-writing skills.
• Experience of managing their own workload and keeping clear, accurate records.
• A relevant qualification in Environmental Health, Housing, Building Surveying, Construction or a related subject, or equivalent practical experience.
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work, subject to reasonable adjustments.

Experience of HMO enforcement, civil penalties or other areas of private sector housing would be helpful but is not essential.

What we offer

You'll join a supportive team working across Bromsgrove and Redditch, helping residents live in safer, healthier homes.

Our benefits include:

• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Annual leave starting at 25 days plus bank holidays (pro rata).
• Flexible working, where appropriate.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Employee discounts and salary sacrifice schemes.

Interested in joining us?

We welcome applications from people with different professional backgrounds who meet the essential requirements.

Please tell us about your practical experience of property inspections, HHSRS assessments and housing enforcement in your application.

For an informal discussion, call 01527 881437 or email k.sharp-fisher@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk.

For recruitment enquiries, email recruitment@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk.

Select Apply Now to apply.

Please note that the Council does not offer Sponsorship to work in the UK.

For a full list of our current vacancies why not visit our WM Jobs Recruiter Page