AbouttherolePropertyStandardsandEmptyHomesOfficer ThemainfunctionofthisroleistoimprovethehousingqualitywithinElmbridgeBoroughCouncilbyworkingproactivelyandreactivelyworkingtoimprovehousingstandardsacrossalltenuresandreducethenumberofemptypropertiesintheborough. Youwillworkunderthesupervisionoftheseniorpropertystandardsandemptyhomesofficertoinvestigateandresolvecomplaintsofpoorhousingconditionsandundertakeinspectionsofcaravansitesandtakeappropriateenforcementactiontoensurecompliancewithappropriatelegislationandregulatoryrequirements. YouwillalsoberesponsibleforthemaintenanceofthePrivateSectorHousingteamscomputerisedrecordssystems. Themainpurposeoftherole:PropertyStandardsandEmptyHomesOfficer Toimprovethequality,safetyandchoiceofresidentialaccommodationinElmbridgeandmeetingtheCouncilsresponsibilitiesundertheHousingActsandotherlegislation. Toensurebestuseofthehousingstockbyminimisingthenumberofemptyproperties. Toprovideanexcellentservicetoowners,occupiersandtenantsinalltenuresthroughactionbyarangeofinterventionstrategies,includingenforcement,educationandadvice. SpecificdutiesandresponsibilitiesPropertyStandardsandEmptyHomesOfficer Tocarryoutproactiveandprogrammedinspectionsofresidentialproperties Investigatecomplaintsregardinghousingdisrepair,inlinewithcouncilpoliciesandprocedures,usingtheHousingHealth&SafetyRatingSystem(HHSRS).Wherenecessaryandappropriate,toinitiateandpreparerecommendationsforenforcementactioninlinewithcouncilpoliciesandprocedures. Inspection,licensingandenforcementofhousesofmultipleoccupationinlinewithcouncilpoliciesandproceduresundersupervisionbytheSeniorHousingStandardsOfficer. Inspection,licensingandenforcementmobilehome/caravansitesinlinewithcouncilpoliciesandprocedures. Toleadonthepromotion,identifyingandmonitoringofemptyhomesandbringingthembackintouse. Organisingawarenessoftheemptypropertyissuesandanyinitiativesthroughappropriatepromotionalmaterials,publicityandeducationandproactivelyapproachingtheownersofemptypropertiesandadvisingthemontheiroptions. TousethecouncilspowersundertheRentersRightsAct,tosupporttheprovisionofwellmanagedandmaintainedrentedhousingwithintheborough,workingcollaborativelywithtenants,landlords,managingagentsandcolleaguesacrossthecouncil UndertakegeneralenvironmentalprotectioncomplaintworkundertheEnvironmentalProtectionAct1990whererelatingtostatutorynuisances. Toadviseresidents,ownersandlandlordsonmattersofdisrepair,housingstandardsand,ingeneralterms,ontheprocurementandfundingofbuildingworks. Wherestatutorynoticeshavebeenserved,monitorcomplianceandtakeappropriateactionintheeventoffailuretocomply ToprovideallnecessaryinformationandevidencetofacilitatelegalproceedingsandappearasawitnessfortheCouncilinlegalproceedings,tribunalsandenquiries,asdirected. Maintainrecordsandreportsandprovidesuchstatisticalinformationasmayberequiredinrelationtothedutiesattachedtothepost Representthecouncilatmeetingswithinternalandexternalpartners. Keepuptodatewithcurrentlegislation,regulations,guidanceandtechnicaldevelopments. QualificationsandEducationPropertyStandardsandEmptyHomesOfficer GoodstandardofgeneraleducationwithexaminationspassedinEnglishLanguageandMathematics Educatedtoatleastan HND/HNClevelorequivalent inEnvironmentalHealth,HousingoraConstructionrelatedsubject.HoldcertificateofcompetenceintheHousingHealthandSafetyRatingSystem. HavetrainingintheinvestigatorypowersintroducedundertheRenters'RightsAct2025,orbewillingtoundertakethistrainingaspartoftherole. ExperienceofworkingasaPrivateSectorHousingOfficer,TechnicalOfficerinanEnvironmentalHealthResidentialTeamorworkingwithinanorganisationdealingwithHousingStandardsandHMOLicensingrelatedmatters. Experienceofsurveyingdwellingsfordefectsanddisrepair. Experienceofundertakingresponsiveandprogrammedinspectionsofresidentialpremises Experienceofdraftingstatutorynoticesandenforcementpapersinrelationtohousingconditionsandfailuretocomplywithnoticesorlicensingconditions Experienceofidentifyingemptypropertiesandtherangeofpowersandpracticesaimedatbringingthembackintouse