Private Sector Housing and HMO Enforcement Officer

Are you passionate about improving housing standards and protecting residents? Do you thrive in a role where no two days are the same?

We're looking for a proactive and confident PSH & HMO Enforcement Officer to investigate housing complaints, inspect rented properties, identify hazards, and take enforcement action to improve conditions across the private rented sector. You'll work with landlords, tenants, partner agencies and legal teams to deliver real improvements for residents and communities.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced enforcement professional with strong knowledge of housing legislation, HHSRS inspections, and regulatory enforcement. You'll manage a varied caseload, prepare legal notices, support prosecutions where necessary, and play a key role in ensuring compliance with housing and public health standards.

We're looking for

• Experience in housing, environmental health or regulatory enforcement.
• Knowledge of the Housing Act 2004 and HHSRS.
• Strong investigation, evidence gathering and report writing skills.
• Confidence dealing with challenging situations and securing compliance.
• A commitment to protecting vulnerable residents and improving housing quality.

What you'll get

• Hybrid working.
• Varied and rewarding casework.
• Professional development opportunities.
• The chance to make a visible difference to people's homes and quality of life.

Join us and help create safer, healthier homes across the city.

The PSH and HMO Enforcement Officer is responsible for delivering an effective regulatory service within the private rented housing sector, ensuring the council meets its statutory duties under housing and public health legislation. The role involves investigating complaints, carrying out HHSRS inspections, identifying and assessing housing hazards, and taking appropriate informal or formal enforcement action to secure compliance. The post holder will be expected to prepare statutory notices, produce detailed records, gather and present evidence for legal proceedings, and manage a varied caseload independently while meeting strict legislative and organisational deadlines.

In addition, the role provides clear, professional advice to tenants, landlords, property owners and partner organisations, supporting safe housing conditions and promoting understanding of legal obligations. The post holder will work collaboratively across teams and with external agencies, contribute to accreditation schemes and housing improvement initiatives, and support the council’s wider Planning and Regulatory service. Maintaining up to date professional knowledge, adhering to council policies and values, and delivering a customer focused, proportionate enforcement approach are essential components of the role.

• Investigate and resolve housing and public health complaints, using your expertise to ensure safe, compliant homes across the private rented sector.
• Carry out professional HHSRS inspections to identify hazards and drive meaningful improvements in housing standards.
• Take decisive enforcement action—from drafting statutory notices to following through on compliance—to protect residents and uphold legal requirements.
• Produce clear, high quality inspection records, including evidence, schedules of work, and supporting documentation that stand up to legal scrutiny.
• Prepare and present evidence for legal proceedings, playing a key role in holding non compliant landlords to account.
• Manage your own diverse caseload, balancing competing priorities in a fast moving regulatory environment.
• Support landlord accreditation and housing improvement initiatives, helping raise standards across the city.
• Provide clear, customer focused advice to tenants, landlords and stakeholders, building constructive relationships that support compliance.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams and partner organisations to deliver effective enforcement and better outcomes for residents.
• Stay professionally up to date, using CPD, research and training to maintain your expertise in housing and public health legislation

• Strong communicator able to explain complex housing issues clearly and confidently.
• Skilled at persuasion, negotiation and building constructive relationships.
• Confident in assessing housing hazards and making sound professional judgements.
• Able to produce clear, accurate notices, reports and evidence for enforcement.
• Organised and adaptable, with the ability to manage a varied caseload independently.
• Detail focused, analytical and able to handle challenging or confrontational situations professionally.
• IT confident, with excellent skills in Word, Excel and case management systems.
• Committed to high quality customer service, equality, and positive teamworking

• Degree in Environmental Health or another relevant professional qualification.
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) to maintain membership of the relevant professional body (e.g., CIEH).

For more information or a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact Lindsey Brunt lindseybrunt@norwich.gov.uk.