Interim Housing Standards Officer
Client: Devon based Local Authority
Day Rate: £350 per day (inside IR35, DOE)
Location: Hybrid working, 3 days per week on-site
Contract: Interim assignment, initially 3 months with potential to extend
Hours: Full time
An experienced Interim Private Housing Standards Officer is required to deliver high-quality investigative and enforcement activity across the private rented sector. This role will focus on protecting tenants, improving housing conditions and ensuring landlord compliance through robust, proportionate enforcement in line with housing legislation and council policy.
The Role
You will manage a complex investigative caseload and be responsible for:
1. Mentoring Housing Standards and Renewal Officers to support the delivery of high-quality investigative and enforcement work
2. Investigating complaints and assessing landlord compliance with housing legislation, advising tenants and others on rights and available remedies
3. Undertaking property inspections and Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) assessments to identify hazards, enforcement needs and regulatory requirements, including mandatory HMO licensing
4. Gathering evidence, conducting PACE interviews, preparing legal enforcement files and applying the council’s enforcement policy
5. Enforcing housing standards controls including HMO licensing, disrepair and empty homes standards
6. Preparing and carrying out enforcement action, including improvement notices, prohibition orders, civil penalties and prosecutions
7. Working closely with Housing Options colleagues on cases involving illegal eviction, harassment and unlawful landlord behaviour
8. Managing an investigative caseload to ensure lawful, proportionate and timely decision-making in line with legislation, guidance and policy
9. Contributing to the development of operational policies, procedures and guidance for housing regulatory functions
10. Maintaining effective partnership working with internal and external partners including Police, Fire Service, health, social care and voluntary agencies
11. Representing the Council at case conferences, multi-agency meetings and partnership forums relating to housing standards
Requirements
12. Significant experience in private sector housing enforcement or a similar regulatory role
13. Strong working knowledge of housing legislation, including the Housing Act 2004, HHSRS and landlord enforcement powers
14. Experience of PACE-compliant investigations and preparation of enforcement and prosecution files
15. Ability to manage complex cases involving vulnerable tenants and non-compliant landlords
16. Excellent communication, negotiation and decision-making skills
17. Strong organisational skills with the ability to work autonomously and manage competing priorities
18. A full UK driving licence and willingness to undergo a DBS check
If you are interested in this interim role, please send through an up-to-date CV or apply online and a member of the team will contact you to discuss further.
We endeavour to respond to all applications; however, due to the volume of applications, if you have not heard from us within 48 hours, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.