Location
Staines-upon-Thames

Hours
36 hours – Full time

Salary
£36,555 - £54,804 per annum depending on experience plus Essential User Car Allowance

About the Role
We are looking for a motivated and knowledgeable Housing Standards Officer or Senior Housing Standards Officer to help improve housing conditions across the private rented sector. This is an important frontline role, working closely with colleagues in Housing Options and Environmental Health to protect residents, raise standards, support compliance and take robust enforcement action where required.

The successful candidate will investigate housing standards concerns, undertake property inspections, assess hazards using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, support HMO licensing and regulation, and use a range of housing and public health legislation to secure improvements for residents. At Senior Officer level, you will also provide expert advice and guidance to colleagues and support the development of policies, procedures and service improvements.

Key responsibilities include driving up standards in the private rented sector through proactive inspections, advice, investigation and enforcement; responding to service requests and complaints relating to housing conditions, HMOs, public health matters and related housing standards issues; carrying out HHSRS inspections and ensuring serious hazards are addressed in a timely and proportionate way; preparing warning letters, statutory notices, schedules of work, evidence, statements and case files for enforcement action where needed; working with tenants, landlords, letting agents, partner agencies and internal colleagues to secure practical and sustainable improvements; supporting HMO licensing, compliance monitoring and associated enforcement activity; maintaining accurate records, meeting performance targets and contributing to service development.

For Senior Officer appointments, providing technical expertise, mentoring support and specialist advice to team members is also required.

This post is a hybrid role supporting both office and home working in line with council policy. Attendance at the office will be required in line with a rota and service needs.

The role requires a command of spoken English sufficient for effective performance in a customer-facing environment and will be subject to a Basic Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. An essential car user allowance is attached to this post, requiring a valid driving licence and access to a vehicle insured for business use.

Successful candidates will be required to use the Microsoft Authenticator app on their own mobile device to securely access the council network.

We offer excellent conditions of service including flexible working hours, a pension scheme and at least 23 days’ paid leave per year (pro rata for part time).

Spelthorne Borough Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving to two new unitary councils in April 2027. TUPE consultation will run from 28 September 2026 to 20 November 2026 for all directly employed staff with contracts on 1 April 2027.

Experience
- Experience of housing standards, environmental health, regulatory enforcement or a related field is particularly important for appointments at M2 and Senior Officer level.
- For Senior Officer appointments, substantial relevant experience, strong technical competence and the ability to provide expert advice to colleagues is required.

About you
You will be confident, organised and committed to improving housing standards and outcomes for residents. You will be able to manage a varied caseload, communicate clearly with a wide range of people, and make balanced, evidence-based decisions. You must be comfortable working independently, dealing with challenging situations professionally, and using enforcement powers proportionately when informal resolution is not appropriate.

You will bring enthusiasm for housing standards and environmental health, a commitment to high-quality public service, and a practical approach to solving problems. You will understand the importance of safe, healthy and well-managed homes and be motivated by the opportunity to make a positive difference to residents’ health, wellbeing and quality of life.

We welcome applications from candidates who can demonstrate the required skills and experience, or the potential to develop into the role at the appropriate grade. We are committed to equality of opportunity and will make reasonable adjustments for applicants who need them.

Qualifications
- A degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject area, such as housing, environmental health or a related discipline.
- A full UK driving licence and access to a car for work purposes.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear reports, notices and correspondence.
- Strong customer care and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work constructively with residents, landlords and partner organisations.
- Good organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands and meet deadlines.
- Sound judgement and the ability to make rational decisions based on available evidence.
- Good IT skills and confidence maintaining accurate case records.
- Knowledge of housing standards legislation, HHSRS, HMO regulation and associated enforcement processes, appropriate to the grade applied for.