Housing Regulation Officer

To be part of the Housing Regulation team within the Private Sector Housing service for Portsmouth City Council, delivering responsive and effective services to anyone who approaches the city council needing help regarding their home. This includes the delivery of statutory functions relating to housing standards and licencing of housing in multiple occupation (HMO). System Purpose: The fulfilment of the purpose of the service is the primary focus as should be the aim at all times

• Provide help and advice to make homes liveable, safe and healthy.
What is the role? The Housing Regulation Officer is responsible for delivering compliance with the law in the most appropriate manner and in the appropriate possible timeframe, ensuring that high regard is given to the entire range of options and best practice and whilst remaining in compliance with the law. The duties of the role will include the following related to the legislative and statutory duties, and the council's private rental sector strategy:
• Receive, assess and where necessary action, customer demand relating to the provision and management of private sector housing, particularly the private rental sector
• Carry out reactive, routine or proactive visits to private rental properties and, where necessary, undertaking Housing Health & Safety Rating System (HHSRS) assessments.
• Where problems are discovered with the provision of housing, working with landlords and tenants to find the best solution, always aiming to keep the tenant in their home wherever possible.
• investigate complaints in respect to statutory duties or regulations
• carry out inspections and monitoring as required to ensure that actions are undertaken and outcomes are achieved
• Ensure that health and welfare of tenants is maintained in accordance with legislation and, where applicable, the needs of any licence.
• Ensure that legislation and local policy regarding HMOs is adhered to, providing information on licence conditions where appropriate, and monitoring compliance with these conditions.
• Provide advice, guidance and assistance to customers contacting the service ensuring regulatory compliance through education and advice.
• Take enforcement action, where required and preparing for cases which may go to tribunal or court. On occasions this may including attending court to give evidence.
• Preparing and serving formal enforcement notices.
• Using professional judgement to make decisions on the best course of action, while dealing with potentially confrontational situations with landlords and tenants assertively.
• Commit to the continual development of the service and personal professional development.
  
  1. It is desirable that the post holder will hold (or be working towards holding) a level 6 qualification in housing, environmental health, environmental science, housing engineering or construction.
2. It is desirable that the post holder holds (or is working towards holding) associate level CIEH membership, member level of the CIH or membership of another relevant body. This will include evidence of continual professional development (CPD). 3. It is essential that the post holder is (a) educated up to (or working towards) at least level 3 in a relevant Housing, construction or environmental health qualification and (b) ideally will have demonstrable experience in working with stakeholders within the private rental sector to achieve the right outcomes with regard to Housing Standards. For new starters without a relevant qualification. Applicants will be considered for a development role starting at band 7 and moving to band 8 when level qualification 3 is achieved. 4. The post holder can successfully balance prescriptive proactive regulatory regimes with those relating to reactive responses to complaints / breaches of legislation. This includes together with gathering evidence, keeping clear and precise records to determine what actions need to be undertaken in line with non-compliance, and have a sound approach to decision making when determining the best course of action to take with individual cases, and strong time management. 5. The post holder has knowledge and experience of housing legislation and processes around enforcement, particularly in regard to private rental sector and houses of multiple occupancy. 6. The post holder will have a demonstrable knowledge of surveying residential property and be able to undertake a full property inspection is essential. 7. The post holder will have demonstrable knowledge and experience of the Housing Health and Safety Rating system (HHSRS) is essential. 8. The post holder will have knowledge of relevant legislation such as the Housing Acts, Public Health Acts, Party Wall Etc. Act and Building Regulations, Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE). 9. The post holder will have knowledge and experience of enforcement action, including preparing and serving formal enforcement notices. 10. The post holder will be able to identify and provide advice on necessary property repairs and produce schedules of works with clear instructions on what works should be carried out. 11. The post holder will be emotionally resilient and able to deal with the impact of being exposed to customer's difficult circumstances. Being able to remain professionally detached and focused even if the message you deliver involves saying no in difficult circumstances. 12. The post holder works proactively and is able to remain motivated, working on their own initiative in coordinating multiple tasks. 13. The post holder is competent in the use of IT systems with a good working knowledge of Microsoft Packages (to include Word, Outlook, and Excel) and databases. Also how to understand data that is presented and how it reflects the performance of the system 14. The post holder will have an understanding of Systems Thinking approach in relation to the importance of applying value steps within the purpose of the service. Please note that driving is essential for this role and therefore you must have a full clean UK driving licence.

We really appreciate our employees and fully realise they are essential to our success and look to offer an inclusive, supportive working environment where employees can reach their potentials with a healthy work life balance, offering the following rewards:
• A generous pension scheme
• Up to 31 days annual leave per year + bank holidays
• We offer flexible working options including hybrid working with a minimum of two days office based per week pro rata, giving you the flexibility to work up to three days at home every week. Hybrid working is dependent on the role and service needs, exact details will be discussed with you at interview.
• A range of retail discounts via our reward portal offering discounts at retailers including IKEA, Currys, Tesco
• Free Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellbeing support
• Access to a wide range of training and development opportunities including apprenticeships
• Potential to purchase additional annual leave
• Business travel support and initiatives, including bike loans