Property Standards Officer

Worcester City Council seeks a Property Standards Officer to join the busy Private Sector Housing Team. In this role, you will deliver a proactive and reactive investigative service that is key to the Council’s success in tackling rogue landlords and improving private sector housing standards and conditions.

You will be responsible for investigating and licensing mandatory and additionally licensed HMOs, monitoring and reopening empty properties, enforcing renters’ rights, tackling illegal eviction, investigating property standards complaints, completing HHSRS assessments and enforcing minimum energy efficiency standards. You will undertake enforcement action, prepare evidence, and attend court when appropriate.

Using your specialist, technical and professional knowledge, you will help deliver high‑quality customer service and ensure the council meets its statutory obligations. You will provide specialist advice and support both internally and externally, using good judgement to avoid risk, make decisions and resolve complex issues in the interests of the council and its customers.

• At least 2 years’ experience in Private Sector Housing or a comparable role.
• Good standard of education including English and Maths GCSE.
• Knowledge of the Housing Act 2004, HMO, Gas Safety, Electrical Safety, Smoke Detector, Renters Rights 2025 and EPC regulations.
• Knowledge of illegal evictions.
• Knowledge of HMO licensing and the associated legislative and Council requirements.
• Ability to provide technical property/building advice to a broad range of customers.
• Excellent IT and communication skills.
• Ability to work on own initiative without close supervision.
• Ability to travel within Worcester; occasional travel outside the City is essential.
• Strong team player.
• Strong customer focus.

• Experience in carrying out property standards inspections, HHSRS assessments, producing work schedules, monitoring compliance, investigations and enforcement.
• Experience in carrying out HMO inspections, producing work schedules, monitoring compliance, investigations and enforcement.
• Experience working with landlords, tenants and agents.
• Experience working with partner agencies.
• Experience keeping accurate records.
• Experience managing caseloads and meeting key performance targets.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to explain legislation, policies and Council requirements to a broad range of customers.
• Ability to make recommendations for enforcement work, serve notices and attend court.
• Ability to make and communicate difficult decisions, including confrontational situations that require tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to make decisions on own initiative where necessary.
• Excellent organisational, administrative, prioritisation and time‑management skills.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to undertake lone‑working home visits and attend meetings across the city and, occasionally, the county.
• Ability to maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of building construction, legislation, Government guidance, Council policy and best practice.