Principal Private Sector Housing Officer - Licencing

About the job

Salary: £36,363 - £41,771 a year plus £963 essential car user allowance

Hours per week: 37

Contract type:
Permanent

As a Private Sector Housing Enforcement Officer‑Licensing, you will play a vital role in improving housing standards and protecting residents across Luton. Working within the Private Sector Housing team you will be responsible for inspecting residential properties, including Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), to ensure compliance with the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) and the Decent Homes Standard.

This is a varied and hands‑on role where you will carry out detailed inspections, assess housing conditions and make professional recommendations to secure compliance with legislation. You will manage HMO licence applications and take enforcement action where required, including preparing cases for prosecution, issuing Civil Penalty Notices, applying for Rent Repayment Orders and presenting evidence at court and Residential Property Tribunals.

You will investigate complex service requests relating to housing conditions and tenancy issues, working collaboratively with internal departments, external agencies and other professionals to deliver effective outcomes. Your work will also contribute to the development and implementation of Private Sector Housing policies, supporting the Council’s wider housing and public health objectives.

In addition you will act as a source of expertise within the team, providing guidance, mentoring and support to less experienced officers and trainees. You will help develop procedures and guidance to ensure consistent and high‑quality service delivery.

The role also involves representing the Council at meetings, hearings, tribunals and court proceedings, as well as engaging with residents, landlords and partner organisations. You will actively promote initiatives such as Decent Homes, energy efficiency and affordable warmth, and make referrals to other services where appropriate.

This is an excellent opportunity for a proactive and knowledgeable professional who is passionate about housing standards, enforcement and making a tangible difference to local communities.

Please note this role does not attract sponsorship.

We’re seeking an experienced and confident professional with a strong background in Private Sector Housing or Environmental Health licensing, or demonstrable equivalent experience. You will bring practical knowledge of enforcement work and be comfortable managing complex cases within a regulatory environment.

You will have experience, or a developing understanding, of court proceedings and Residential Property Tribunals, along with exposure to handling public enquiries and contributing to Local Government Ombudsman investigations.

Your communication and interpersonal skills are key to success in this role. You are able to consult, negotiate, influence and present effectively to a wide range of audiences, including residents, landlords, professionals and partner agencies. You can analyse complex situations—such as inspecting and measuring properties, evaluating works and compiling evidence—and translate your findings into clear, professional reports with sound recommendations.

Highly organised and proactive you can manage your own workload and support others to meet deadlines, demonstrating strong time management and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. You are confident using IT systems in your day‑to‑day work, including spreadsheets, and are willing to develop your skills further where needed. Familiarity with Public Protection systems is advantageous.

You will have a strong understanding of equality and diversity, recognising how discrimination can impact service delivery and the people you work with, and applying this awareness in your approach.

Your specialist knowledge will include Local Authority enforcement procedures and a solid understanding of building construction and services. You will either have significant relevant enforcement experience or in‑depth knowledge of key legislation, including the Housing Act 2004 and the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).…