Job Description

Private Sector Housing Officer

Temporary – Full Time (Initial 6‑Month Contract)

£40.00 – £45.00 per hour (Umbrella)

📍 South West England

🗓 Closing Date: 22nd May 2026

Vivid Resourcing is recruiting on behalf of a South West Local Authority for an experienced Private Sector Housing Officer to join their Housing Services team on an initial 6‑month temporary contract.

The successful candidate will be required to work on‑site within Council offices and carry out inspections across the local authority area.

The Role

We are seeking a proactive, knowledgeable and customer‑focused Private Sector Housing Officer to deliver a high‑quality housing enforcement and advisory service. You will work across the private rented sector to improve housing standards, protect tenants, and ensure compliance with housing legislation.

This role is largely casework and inspections driven, involving investigation of complaints, enforcement action where necessary, and close partnership working with landlords, tenants, managing agents and internal teams.

Key Responsibilities

* Investigate complaints and service requests relating to private sector housing conditions

* Carry out Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) inspections

* Take appropriate informal and formal enforcement action, including serving notices and preparing cases for prosecution where required

* Deal with disrepair, damp and mould, overcrowding and unsafe living conditions

* Investigate Category 1 and Category 2 hazards and secure compliance with statutory requirements

* Provide housing advice to tenants and landlords on legal responsibilities and standards

* Work on Empty Properties, Selective or Additional Licensing schemes where applicable

* Record and manage casework using the council’s housing management systems

* Liaise with internal departments such as Environmental Health, Planning, Legal Services and Social Care

* Attend court, tribunals and multi‑agency meetings where necessary

* Support wider housing initiatives and service improvement projects

* Comply with Corporate Health & Safety, Safeguarding, Equality and Data Protection policies

* Demonstrate flexibility, including occasional work outside normal office hours when required

The Experience You Will Bring

* Proven experience working within Private Sector Housing in a local authority setting

* Strong working knowledge of HHSRS and relevant housing legislation

* Experience taking enforcement action, including notices and prosecutions

* Experience dealing with private landlords, tenants and managing agents

* Ability to manage a varied caseload with minimal supervision

* Excellent communication, negotiation and report‑writing skills

* Competence in carrying out property inspections and assessments

* Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle (desirable)

Why This Role?

This council is a long standing client of Vivid's known for its collaborative culture and commitment to improving housing standards across the district. Contractors are valued as part of the wider team and supported to make a meaningful impact on housing quality and resident wellbeing.

If this sounds of interest, please reply to this email or contact me directly to discuss rates, availability and next steps.

Kind regards,

Henry