Senior Housing Officer

Teignbridge

Job Role

To enforce, maintain and improve standards of private sector housing on behalf of the Authority including identifying and reducing the number of long-term empty properties.

To provide financial assistance through grants and loans and to improve the energy efficiency of homes in Teignbridge.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Raise standards through a range of activities including property inspections, HHSRS assessments, drafting schedules of work, preparing, and serving formal notices and preparing cases for prosecution, Civil Penalty imposition and evidence for Tribunal/Court submission.

Risk assess and inspect houses in multiple occupation (HMO's) with partner agencies where necessary including determining eligibility for HMO licensing.

Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation in order to ensure HMO's are safe, habitable and well-managed.

Provide advice to tenants, private and social landlords, letting agents and other professional agencies on housing conditions and the legislation relating to housing standards.

Work jointly with the Housing Options team to ensure safe and secure accommodation for homeless and vulnerable clients, tackle harassment and unlawful eviction and provide a joined-up housing service for residents of Teignbridge.

Work with other relevant services, to minimise the number of empty properties which impact on the amount of New Homes Bonus the Council receives.

Lead and support meetings to review information held by Council Tax and take appropriate steps to ensure data held is accurate and up to date.

Lead and support annual work to ensure empty properties are correctly classified and if necessary, arrange visits.

Identify and investigate reports of empty properties. Where attempts to engage and assist owners fail, determine the most appropriate means of enforcement action, and serve enforcement notices