Private Rented Enforcement Officer

Private Rented Sector Enforcement Officer

Hours per week:37 hours

Temporary/Fixed term:12 months

Property and Support Service - Protecting Renters, Empowering Local Communities.

As our newly created Private Rented Sector Enforcement Officer, you will play an integral role in protecting the rights of tenants and supporting landlords to meet their legal responsibilities following the implementation of the Renters' Rights Act. You will be the Councils specialist on tenancy law, including the Renters Rights Act 2025, and will help ensure that our services are lawful, consistent and focused on positive outcomes for our communities.

You will lead investigations, carry out inspections, manage formal enforcement work and prepare legal case files. Work closely with Legal Services & wider housing services, present evidence in court when needed and make sure all actions follow national legislation and Council policies. You will also support landlords and agents through clear advice, training & guidance to promote high standards.

To succeed you'll need experience working in a housing‑related field with strong knowledge of tenancy law, homelessness legislation and enforcement processes. You will need to feel confident assessing complex situations, making evidence‑based decisions and managing sensitive cases. You will also need excellent communication skills, the ability to build trust, and strong organisational skills to manage a varied caseload. Experience of partnership working, preparing legal documents, carrying out investigations and performing enforcement action will be important.

Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. Thats why we focus on getting the things that matter to our people right.
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The council is committed to creating an environment of positive working relationships where everyone feels engaged, supported and able to thrive. Our Identity is a framework which sets out how we are all expected to lead, work and act to deliver our services. We will not tolerate discrimination, bullying or harassment of any kind. Everyone is expected to promote a culture of inclusion, dignity, trust and respect which is underpinned by our vision and Our Identity framework.

Specific duties and responsibilities include

• To be the department and wider Councils, designated specialist in law relating to the Renters Right Act.
• Provide cascade training to staff, at all levels withinthe service and wider Council, on new legislation.
• Conduct inspection of premises to ensure compliance with current regulatory standard to ensure compliance.
• Work with the Private Sector Housing Service to support the improvement of overall standards of accommodation and services, making referrals when accommodation is believed to need improving or poses a risk based upon an assessment.
• Provide reactive and proactive services, investigate offences, bea decision maker in relation to compliance and enforcement.
• Investigate offences and issue agreed levels of warnings including initiating criminal prosecutions if appropriate in line with relevant legal powers, procedural provisions, and departmental systems.
• To attend Court to give evidence when necessary.
• Carry out investigation and enforcement in relation to protection from harassment and illegal eviction in conjunction with the multi-agency teamand advise on relevant landlord and tenant law and other relevant legislation covering private renting.
• Effectively plan and carry out all work in linewith the performance targets of the service.
• Assist in the provision and delivery of the landlords forum and other advice and training for landlords.
• Support the prevention of homelessness through targeted early interventions,the investigation of complaints from tenants, and both landlord and tenants understand their legal rights and responsibilities.
• Work with the Senior Management team to establish, capture, and effectively monitor KPIs, to measure performance with statutory obligations. Respond to service requests, provide complex advice, statistics and reports, undertake specialistic inspections and investigations applicable to the role.
• Provide technical advice, assistance and support to landlords, the wider Council and other organisations on the new legislative requirements set out in the Renters Rights Act.
• To maintain anexpert knowledge of existing and current Legislation, regulations & Council Polices in relation to private sector housing.
• To maintain high quality and accurate detailed records on all cases, using manual and computerised systems.
• Represent the Council and service at internal and external meetings, criminal and other courts, committees, and training events, including written and verbal presentations.
• Deliver a service with a One Council approach; having regardto other services priorities and build and maintain good working relationships with internal and external partners to ensure the Councils statutory…