Principle Private Sector Housing Officer

Principal Private Sector Housing Officer

Location: West London
Contract: 10-month ongoing assignment
Rate: 55 per hour (Umbrella)
Hours: 36 hours per week
Working Pattern: Hybrid - 2-3 days per week in the office and conducting property visits, remainder remote

The Role

An opportunity has arisen within a large West London local authority for an experienced Principal Private Sector Housing Officer to oversee the delivery of statutory private sector housing functions, with responsibility for Disrepair and HMO services.

This is a senior operational role, leading a team to deliver a high-quality, responsive service focused on improving housing standards in the private rented sector and ensuring robust, lawful enforcement.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership for private sector housing services covering disrepair and/or HMOs
• Line manage and support a team of officers, overseeing workloads, performance and professional development
• Ensure enforcement activity is compliant with housing legislation, statutory guidance and local enforcement policies
• Authorise and supervise formal enforcement action including improvement notices, civil penalties, cautions and prosecutions
• Oversee the investigation of disrepair complaints and ensure appropriate compliance and enforcement outcomes
• Supervise the granting, variation and enforcement of property and HMO licences, ensuring all legal provisions and licence conditions are met
• Act as a witness in court, tribunal and prosecution proceedings when required
• Maintain the integrity, security and evidential quality of case files
• Drive service efficiency, consistency and transparency in line with published enforcement policies
• Promote excellent customer service standards and collaborative working with internal and external partners

Essential Requirements

• Significant experience in a local authority, council or housing association setting only
• Extensive knowledge of private sector housing legislation, including Housing Act 2004 and HMO licensing
• Proven experience leading enforcement activity within private sector housing
• Demonstrable team management or senior supervisory experience
• Experience acting as a witness in court or tribunal proceedings
• Strong report writing, decision-making and stakeholder engagement skills
• Ability to undertake site visits and inspections across the borough
• Relevant degree, professional qualification or equivalent operational experience

Desirable

• Postgraduate or specialist qualification in housing, environmental health or a related field
• Formal investigation or enforcement training (e.g. PACE/RIPA)

Why Apply?

This is a high-impact senior role offering competitive pay, hybrid working and the opportunity to lead meaningful improvements in private sector housing standards within a large metropolitan authority.

Linsco is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.