About The Job
Hours per week: 37
Contract type: Permanent
Salary: £36,363 - £41,771 a year plus £963 essential car user allowance
As a Private Sector Housing Enforcement Officer‑Licensing, you will play a vital role in improving housing standards and protecting residents across Luton. Working within the Private Sector Housing team, you will be responsible for inspecting residential properties, including Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), to ensure compliance with the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) and the Decent Homes Standard. This is a varied and hands‑on role where you will carry out detailed inspections, assess housing conditions, and make professional recommendations to secure compliance with legislation.
Responsibilities
* Manage HMO licence applications and take enforcement action where required, including preparing cases for prosecution, issuing Civil Penalty Notices, applying for Rent Repayment Orders, and presenting evidence at court and Residential Property Tribunals.
* Investigate complex service requests relating to housing conditions and tenancy issues, working collaboratively with internal departments, external agencies, and other professionals to deliver effective outcomes.
* Provide guidance, mentoring, and support to less experienced officers and trainees, and help develop procedures and guidance to ensure consistent and high‑quality service delivery.
* Represent the Council at meetings, hearings, tribunals, and court proceedings, and engage with residents, landlords, and partner organisations.
* Advocate initiatives such as Decent Homes, energy efficiency and affordable warmth, making referrals to other services where appropriate.
Qualifications
* Experienced and confident professional with a strong background in Private Sector Housing or Environmental Health licensing, or demonstrable equivalent experience.
* Practical knowledge of enforcement work, comfortable managing complex cases within a regulatory environment.
* Experience or developing understanding of court proceedings and Residential Property Tribunals, handling public enquiries and contributing to Local Government Ombudsman investigations.
* Strong communication and interpersonal skills, able to consult, negotiate, influence and present effectively to a wide range of audiences.
* Highly organised, proactive, able to manage own workload and support others to meet deadlines.
* Confident in using IT systems, spreadsheets and eager to develop skills further; familiarity with Public Protection systems is advantageous.
* Strong understanding of equality and diversity, recognising how discrimination can impact service delivery.
* Specialist knowledge of Local Authority enforcement procedures, building construction and services. Significant relevant enforcement experience or in‑depth knowledge of key legislation including the Housing Act 2004 and HHSRS.
* Registration with the Environmental Health Officers’ Registration Board (EHRB) as an EHO/EHP/CEHP, or a qualification in Environmental Health, Building Construction, or a related field, is desirable.
* Flexible and practical, able to travel regularly across the Borough, access lofts and roof spaces, and work occasional evening or early‑morning hours.
Benefits
* 25 to 32 days’ annual leave, linked to length of service and grade.
* Buying annual leave scheme: buy up to 20 days additional annual leave.
* Career Pathways: step up in your career or move into a specialist area.
* Pension scheme: generous employer contributions up to 19.2 % (at April 2026) and 3‑x salary death in service grant.
* Generous relocation package: up to £8,000 (subject to eligibility).
* Employee Assistance Programme: free, 24/7 confidential counselling and wellbeing support (including partner or spouse and dependent children over 16).
* Work/life balance: flexible working options including working from home where possible; requests for part‑time hours and alternative patterns are welcomed.
* Training and support: unlimited access to development courses, mentoring and clear career pathways.
* Staff offers: discounts on MOT, gym and fitness, restaurants and salons.
* Arriva Travel Club: great value savings on local bus travel.
We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our borough.
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