Job Description:

Aatom Recruitment is looking for Principal Enforcement Officer on behalf of a Local Authority.

Job Title: Principal Enforcement Officer
Contract Duration: 3 Months
Hours Per Week: 36

Main Purpose of the Job:

To lead and deliver complex housing enforcement activities and investigations to ensure compliance with housing legislation, licensing requirements, and regulatory standards in the private rented sector. To provide expert advice, guidance and support on housing enforcement matters, protecting residents from poor housing conditions, unlawful housing practices and associated risks to health, safety and wellbeing, while contributing to the Council's strategic housing and community safety objectives.

Main Responsibilities / Accountabilities / Key Results Areas

The postholder will be expected to effectively deliver the following responsibilities and outcomes:

• Lead on the investigation and enforcement of complex housing cases involving breaches of housing legislation, licensing conditions, property standards and management regulations.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance to managers, senior officers, elected Members and partner agencies on housing enforcement legislation, policy and procedure.
• Ensure that enforcement decisions are evidence-based, proportionate, consistent and compliant with relevant legislation, statutory guidance, Council policies and procedures.
• Conduct inspections of residential premises, including Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), licensed properties and privately rented accommodation, identifying hazards and determining appropriate interventions.
• Prepare, serve and monitor statutory notices, civil penalties, prohibition orders, improvement notices, emergency remedial actions and other formal enforcement measures as appropriate.
• Lead and undertake investigations into housing offences, including breaches of the Housing Act 2004, Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation Regulations, licensing schemes and associated legislation.
• Prepare detailed reports, witness statements, prosecution files and evidential records for legal proceedings, ensuring compliance with criminal procedure and evidential requirements.
• Represent the Council in court proceedings, tribunals, interviews under caution, public inquiries and other formal hearings as required.
• Work closely with Legal Services to progress prosecutions, appeals, injunctions, rent repayment orders and other enforcement actions.
• Develop and maintain effective partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to support coordinated enforcement activity and improve outcomes for residents.

Undertake the general work of a Principal Enforcement Officer (Housing Enforcement) including:

• Managing a substantial caseload of complex enforcement investigations, operating with a high degree of autonomy and professional judgement.
• Planning, coordinating and delivering enforcement activities in accordance with service priorities, performance targets and statutory obligations.
• Conducting site inspections, property surveys and evidence-gathering exercises to assess compliance with legislative and licensing requirements.
• Undertaking interviews under caution and gathering evidence in accordance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) and associated codes of practice.
• Preparing enforcement notices, legal documentation, schedules of works and prosecution files to the required evidential standards.
• Instructing and liaising with Legal Services, Counsel and external experts where appropriate, ensuring effective progression of legal proceedings.
• Attending court, tribunal and appeal hearings, giving professional evidence and representing the Council's interests as required.
• Providing technical advice, training and guidance to colleagues, internal departments, elected Members and external stakeholders.
• Monitoring and reviewing compliance with statutory notices, licence conditions and enforcement actions, taking further action where necessary.
• Maintaining accurate records and making effective use of case management systems, databases and regulatory enforcement software.