Private Sector Housing Officer - Abingdon, United Kingdom - South Oxfordshire District Council

South Oxfordshire District Council
South Oxfordshire District Council
Verified Company
Abingdon, United Kingdom

3 weeks ago

Tom O´Connor

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Tom O´Connor

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Description
Job Advert


Location:
Hybrid working, based at Abbey House, Abingdon, OX14 4SB


Salary and grade:
£39,977 per year, Grade 6


Duration of role:
Permanent


Hours per week:37


Closing Date:29th August 2023


About the role and what we're looking for


This varied role requires the applicant to be proactive and have a sound knowledge of disabled facilities grants (DFG) and relevant housing legislation relating to the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), enforcement and HMO licensing.

The role also requires wider knowledge of housing improvement grants and loans, energy efficiency and fuel poverty issues.


The successful applicant will be joining a team dedicated to helping raise housing standards across the Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire districts.


Main duties and responsibilities

  • Work with the councils' home improvement agency to facilitate housing repair grants and loans in line with the councils' Housing Assistance Grants and Loans Policy.
  • Liaise with partner organisations including OCC Social Services (Occupational Therapists) and architects to give advice on specific disabled facility grant matters.
  • Performance monitoring of our Home Improvement Agency's DFG work.
  • Investigation of complaints regarding housing disrepair, in line with council policies and procedures, using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). Where appropriate, to initiate and follow through formal enforcement action under Housing Act 200
  • Mandatory licensing of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) including investigation and enforcement of unlicensed HMOs.
  • Undertake immigration housing assessments of house condition, size, overcrowding, etc. and produce reports/recommendations.
  • Investigate longterm empty properties with a view to bringing them back into use.
  • Implement and enforce Minimum Level of Energy Efficiency Standards for Private Rented Properties (MEES) (Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015).
  • Implement and enforce the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020.
  • Make referrals to council fuel poverty and Energy Company Obligation (ECO) grant schemes.
  • Carry out other general housing duties or other reasonable duties as requested by the line manager.


The duties may vary from time to time without changing the nature of the post or the level of responsibility and the post holder may also be required to carry out any other duties appropriate to the grading of the post.


About you
Your essential skills, knowledge and experience

  • At least two years' experience of private sector housing work.
  • Experience of working with or significant knowledge of building construction.
  • Strong and demonstrable communications skills
  • Analytical and problemsolving skills.
  • Competent user of Microsoft Office, e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
  • Demonstrable experience of working successfully with partner organisations.
Your essential qualifications

  • Full driving licence and regular access to a vehicle.
  • Degree in appropriate discipline or an equivalent qualification or relevant experience in private sector housing.
If you have the following experience or qualifications - it's a bonus

  • Experience of working in local government
  • Experience of writing policies and reports
  • Experience of licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation
  • Experience of investigating complaints and taking formal enforcement action under Housing Act 2004, including serving notices.
  • Experience of issuing civil penalties, preparing cases for prosecution and attending appeals at First Tier Property Tribunals.
  • Experience of implementing energy efficiency and fuel poverty projects
  • Membership of a professional body such as CIEH or CIH.
Your style and behaviours

Your approach at work needs to mirror our vision and values which are detailed below.

In particular for this role, the following points are essential:

- excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills
- ability to prioritise work with mínimal supervision
- ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and customers at all levels
- ability to work as part of a team
- positive attitude, enthusiastic and self-motivated
- displays accountability and responsibility
- methodical and well organised
- strong customer focus
- outcomes driven and able to meet tight deadlines


About us


Our vision and values are important to the councils and we expect you to support them and embed them in the way we work.


Our vision
We are seen as being customer-focussed, approachable and business-like. We are honest and open and are renowned for providing high quality cost effective services.


Our values

  • We act with integrity and show respect
  • We are all accountable
  • We are passionate about our business
  • We strive for simplicity
  • We love success

The benefits we offer

  • A basic 24 days annual leave per annum, rising to 29 days afte
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