Private Sector Housing Officer – Compliance Team

Temporary Contract

Job Details

Client: London Borough of Hackney
Service Area: Private Sector Housing / Compliance
Grade: SO1–PO3
Start Date: TBC
End Date: 22 January 2027
Duration: Approximately 14 weeks
Weekly Hours: To be confirmed

Working Pattern

Hybrid – 2 days per week in the office. Property inspections and site visits across Hackney will also be required. Occasional out-of-hours enforcement work may be necessary.

Location

Hackney, London E8

Pay

PAYE Rate: £22.24 per hour

Job Overview

Hackney Council is seeking an experienced Private Sector Housing Officer to support its Private Sector Housing Compliance Team. The role involves inspecting privately rented properties, assessing housing conditions, investigating complaints, applying housing legislation and taking appropriate enforcement action to improve accommodation standards. Candidates must have relevant technical knowledge of private sector housing legislation and HHSRS inspections.

Important – Please Read Carefully

This is a housing inspection, regulatory compliance and enforcement role. Candidates should have experience in private sector housing, environmental health housing enforcement or a closely related regulatory position. The person specification includes an Environmental Health degree or equivalent housing-related qualification and recognised HHSRS assessor training. Experience and responsibilities vary according to the appointed grade.

Key Responsibilities

Inspect private rented properties
Investigate housing complaints
Conduct HHSRS assessments
Identify housing hazards
Apply the Housing Act 2004
Investigate property licensing compliance
Inspect HMOs and other licensed accommodation
Assess housing management standards
Investigate legislative breaches
Prepare statutory notices and enforcement documentation
Liaise with landlords and managing agents
Monitor compliance with remedial requirements
Support civil penalty investigations
Prepare enforcement evidence
Support prosecution or tribunal cases where appropriate
Process relevant housing grant applications
Support Disabled Facilities Grant work
Maintain accurate case records
Prepare professional reports and correspondence
Manage allocated housing cases
Work collaboratively with relevant Council teams

Essential Experience & Skills

Private sector housing inspection or enforcement experience
Environmental Health or equivalent housing-related qualification
Recognised HHSRS assessor training
Housing Act 2004 knowledge
Housing standards and compliance
Regulatory inspections
Housing complaints investigation
Property licensing knowledge
Strong written communication
Report preparation
Accurate record keeping
Case management
Professional judgement
Organisational skills
Ability to meet deadlines
IT and database skills
Professional customer communication

Desirable

Local authority housing enforcement
HMO licensing
Statutory notices
Civil penalties
Rent Repayment Orders
Prosecution preparation
Tribunal experience
Disabled Facilities Grants
Housing adaptations
PACE and RIPA knowledge
Complex investigations
Staff mentoring

Additional Information

Response Date: 27 October 2026

Disclaimer

On applying for this vacancy, you agree that your personal details will be passed onto our client for their consideration of your suitability for the role.

I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to notify Fix Space Recruitment Limited of any hirer who I do not want my details to be passed onto.

Job Reference: 137479

Strict Screening Questions

Do you have professional experience working as a Private Sector Housing Officer, Environmental Health Officer, Housing Enforcement Officer or in another role directly involving private rented housing inspections and compliance? Please provide your job titles, employers and dates of employment.
Do you hold a Degree or Diploma in Environmental Health or an equivalent housing-related qualification? Please confirm the qualification and awarding institution.
Have you completed a recognised Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) assessor training course? Please provide the course details and date completed.
Do you have direct experience inspecting private rented properties, identifying housing hazards and carrying out HHSRS assessments? Please describe the types of inspections you have undertaken.
Have you previously applied the Housing Act 2004 in a professional housing enforcement role, including preparing statutory notices, schedules of works or formal enforcement correspondence? Please provide examples.
Do you have experience investigating HMO or other property licensing compliance, carrying out licensing inspections and identifying breaches of licence conditions?
Have you previously undertaken housing enforcement action involving civil penalties, statutory notices, prosecutions, Rent Repayment Orders or First-tier Tribunal proceedings? Please describe your involvement.
Have you worked within a UK local authority Private Sector Housing or Environmental Health team? Please provide details of the Council, dates and enforcement responsibilities.
Do you have experience assessing Disabled Facilities Grant applications, housing adaptation works or other private sector housing grants? If so, please explain your experience.
Have you prepared professional housing inspection reports, enforcement evidence, statutory correspondence or legal case documentation? Please give examples.
Can you work on a hybrid basis with two office days per week in Hackney, undertake property inspections and site visits, and occasionally work outside normal office hours for enforcement activities?
Are you eligible to work in the UK, and what is your earliest available start date? Please also confirm your relevant experience level for grades SO1–PO3 and your PAYE hourly rate expectation within £22.24

Skills: HHSRS, Private Sector Housing, Housing Act 2004, Housing Enforcement, Property Inspections, HMO Licensing, Regulatory Compliance, Statutory Notices, Environmental Health, Case Management

Private Sector Housing Officer – Compliance Team