AbouttherolePropertyStandardsandEmptyHomesOfficer
Below covers everything you need to know about what this opportunity entails, as well as what is expected from applicants.
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,.
HavetrainingintheinvestigatorypowersintroducedundertheRenters'RightsAct2025,orbewillingtoundertakethistrainingaspartoftherole.
ExperienceofworkingasaPrivateSectorHousingOfficer,TechnicalOfficerinanEnvironmentalHealthResidentialTeamorworkingwithinanorganisationdealingwithHousingStandardsandHMOLicensingrelatedmatters. xsngvjr
Experienceofsurveyingdwellingsfordefectsanddisrepair.
Experienceofundertakingresponsiveandprogrammedinspectionsofresidentialpremises
Experienceofdraftingstatutorynoticesandenforcementpapersinrelationtohousingconditionsandfailuretocomplywithnoticesorlicensingconditions
Experienceofidentifyingemptypropertiesandtherangeofpowersandpracticesaimedatbringingthembackintouse