Warwick District Council

Warwick District Council – Job Description

Job Title: Housing Standards Officer Job number: TBC

Service Area: Housing & Property Date received: April 2014

Purpose of job – Give one statement explaining the job’s overall objectives

To ensure the Statutory obligations of the Council in dealing with poor housing conditions in the Private Rented Sector are prioritised, regulated and enforced via advice, informal and formal action.

Main responsibilities – Give a maximum of eight brief descriptions of what the % main responsibilities are and assign time percentage values against each one.

To respond to requests for service in relation to matters dealt with by the team. 25% Carry out investigations to ensure that, where applicable, housing defects are abated through informal or statutory action.

Manage a caseload of work including the preparation of reports, letters, witness statements etc., as necessary. Where necessary, under the direction of the line manager, prepare information for court cases and appear in court.

Assess, monitor, prioritise and review cases to ensure that the most effective means are employed to implement solutions and resolve cases in response to requests for service from residents, Elected Members and partners in order to provide excellent customer service

Maintain up to date and accurate manual and electronic data records as necessary to ensure effective case management.

The post holder will have delegated enforcement powers to serve Statutory Notices, carry out formal interviews under Police and Criminal Evidence Act procedures, collation of evidence and attendance in Courts of Law and Tribunals to enforce the legislation. This will include investigation, questioning and the preparation of reports, letters, witness statements and formal evidence.

Mandatory Houses In Multiple Occupation Licensed scheme. Check licence 30% applications for compliance, drawings, certification, occupancy and prepare the licence and any conditions for formal approval.

Inspect all licensed properties within the Statutory timeframe and ensure the licence holder carries out all necessary works to comply with relevant legislation in relation to property condition and management responsibilities.

Assess and comment on planning applications in relation to conversions and change of use. This involves assessing plans, space standards, Means of Escape from Fire and occupancy plus formal consultation with the Fire service where necessary.

-1- Work closely with the Housing Advice team and carry out inspections connected 10% with Rent Deposit and Private Sector Leasing schemes to ensure the landlord and accommodation meets the minimum requirements.

Take responsibility for the investigation and enforcement of alleged harassment and illegal eviction

Carry out inspections in relation to Immigration enquiries and provide any 10% necessary report regarding future occupation.

Respond to illegal encampments by following protocols including visiting site with 10% the Police and other interested parties and liaison with Legal services .Serve statutory Notices and represent the Council in Court to give evidence and obtain Summonses and Warrants as appropriate,

Check application for Mobile Homes Licence, site visit, inspection and enforcement of legislation

Ensure a personal level of competence and continued professional development in 5% order to maintain knowledge of current legislation, processes, technical matters and guidance relevant to the section. Provide advice to the line manager on relevant technical issues.

Support and deputise for colleagues in their absence to ensure both the day to day 5% work and the future development of the Service is in line with Government and Local priorities laid down by the Council.

The post holder will be required to assist in the training and supervision of new staff and students.

To undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade, that may be 5% required. These may be varied from time to time to meet the needs of the Service

-2- Organisation – Draw an organization chart that shows how the hierarchy and how the job relates to its immediate supervisor and colleagues.

Strategy and Development Manager

Private Sector Housing Manager

Project Manager - Housing Senior Environmental Health Officer Assessment Team

Environmental Health Officer Landlord Liaison Officer

Senior Housing Standards Officer Housing standards Officer

Dimensions – Quote figures which give a picture of the job in any annual budgetary amounts which the job is either directly or indirectly concerned with or any other statistics related to the work.

The Private Sector Housing team receives approx. 200 housing complaints and enquiries per year and monitors in excess of 400 Licensed Houses in Multiple Occupation. Fee income of approx. £70,000 per annum is collected and managed Other responsibilities include working closely with the Housing Advice team and dealing with Harassment and Eviction, Gypsies and Travellers, Licensing of Caravan Sites and inspections for Immigration purposes. Bringing Empty Homes back into use is also an important element of the work and a Key Strategic responsibility of the Council.

Future Plans include consideration to extending the Licensing regime in the District to tackle poor housing and management within the Sector Private Sector Housing also has responsibility for grant aided Adaptation works for disabled people and for carrying out essential works for low income vulnerable residents and referring residents to key partners for Energy advice and works.

Scope for Impact – Describe in two or three examples the impact of this role on delivering the service and how it relates to Customer’s satisfaction and the key

-3- accountabilities.

The Post Holder is responsible for dealing with housing conditions and management of Houses in Multiple Occupation and other housing complaints in the Private Rented Sector. There has been an unprecedented increase in the sector and recent research has confirmed that 17% of the housing in the District is now rented by private landlords and Agents. This has resulted in an increase demand for the expertise of the team and Government guidance and importance. The Warwick District Council Housing Strategy 2014 includes key actions for the future to manage and regulate the sector

The Council has a Statutory duty under the Housing Act 2004 in relation to the following areas. a) Dealing with the most serious Category 1 hazards in the home that affect the immediate health and safety of the occupants. b) Mandatory HMO licensing Scheme to monitor and control standards in larger higher risk properties. There are in excess of 400 licensed premises in the District

Demand for the service is managed by prioritisation and involvement of landlords and Agents in Accreditation Schemes, the Landlord Steering Group and attendance at Forums where open discussion and information is distributed.

Challenges – Describe the most difficult, complex or challenging part of this job and explain why.

Dealing with difficult and challenging landlords, Managing and Letting Agents via negotiation, persuasion and enforcement in the Courts.

Dealing with vulnerable tenants with complex needs living in challenging circumstances. This includes homeless tenants, eviction and harassment, asylum seekers and refugees where English is not the first language. Some tenants may have drug and alcohol dependency issues.

Being aware of personal safety aspects of the job and working closely with the Police and Fire Authorities as necessary.

Interviewing and collecting evidence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act and evaluation of the most appropriate course of action to safeguard vulnerable tenants and improve their living accommodation.

Competency and confidence is required in representing the Council in Court and Tribunals under cross examination.

As a professional the post holder is required to keep abreast of new legislation, codes of practice, Statutory Instruments, Guidance and case law and to maintain their CPD as appropriate.

-4- Additional Information – Use this area to briefly explain any aspects of the job that have not been adequately covered in previous sections.

The post holder is required to manage a complex work area and meet varying demands on his/her time from conflicting priorities. Ability to use professional judgment and clear decision making taking into account all aspects of the case and the appropriate law is important.

The post holder will be expected to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and may, from time to time, be expected to work unsociable hours, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

The jobholder will be required to perform other such duties as appropriate to the qualifications, experience and salary band as may be reasonably required by the Strategy and Development Manager.

Approval

Post holder signature Head of Business Unit or nominee signature

Date: Date:

-5- Warwick District Council – Person Specification

Job Title: Housing Standards Officer Job number: TBC

Service Area: Housing & Property Date received: April 2014

Attributes Essential Desirable

Job Specific At least an HNC or equivalent qualification Educated to degree level or Qualifications in a relevant discipline together with at equivalent. & Experience least 2 year’s experience. Qualified Membership of Excellent knowledge of building either the Royal institute of construction, specifications and technical Chartered Surveyors (RICS); standards The Chartered institute of Building (CIOB) or any other Ability to inspect residential properties equivalent professional body and produce schedules of work.

An excellent, detailed working knowledge of the legislation, statutory guidance, circulars, and technical literature relevant to the service.

Evidence of Continual Professional Development via the professional body and in house training

Non Job Ability to self-manage a complex and Specific varied workload by prioritisation against Qualifications set priorities. & Experience Participate in appraisals, one to ones, objective settings, personal development plans and working group meetings and take a full and active role in service development, including service reviews.

Evidence of working on own initiative, managing and prioritising a significant workload.

Evidence of working effectively within a team.

Effective planning, organisational and time management skills

-6- Proven creative and pragmatic problem solving skills and ability.

Ability to work flexibly and to use a variety of modern technology and software.

Job Specific Demonstrable knowledge and Knowledge, understanding of the broad Housing Skills & Agenda and its impact on society. Abilities Ability to build effective working relationships with a broad cross-section of people across the organisation and with external partners.

Non Job Information technology skills Specific Competent in the use of standard Office Knowledge, based computer systems and a range of Skills & Common software applications and the Abilities ability to interrogate, input routine data from a management information system.

Negotiating Effectively Prepares and applies sound and persuasive arguments to secure positive outcomes from negotiations

Collaborating & Team working Demonstrates commitment to colleagues, team objectives and collaborative working opportunities

Developing Productive Relationships. Builds effective working relationships with a diversity of individuals and groups

Communicating In Writing Produces clear, succinct and well-structured written work which creates a positive impact on the recipient(s)

Communicating Orally Conveys messages effectively, creating a positive impact on the listener(s)

Planning and Co-ordinating Establishes clear targets, defines plans and co-ordinates resources in order to meet them

-7- Delivering Customer Centred Services Achieves customer satisfaction by identifying genuine needs and jointly developing effective solutions

Delivering Results Works hard, takes ownership and consistently meets or exceeds targets

Enhancing Expertise Demonstrates a commitment to continuously improve own knowledge, skills and performance

Good judgement, strong analytical skills and the ability to use data and information intelligently and innovatively

Strong inter-personal and communication skills, including the ability to consult, negotiate, persuade, motivate and influence others.

Flexible attitude to work and adaptable to new situations and challenges required to meet corporate objectives.

Other Access to a car for work use and possess Requirements a current full driving licence.

Attend to site or meetings on occasional evening, weekend and Bank Holidays.