Job info	Job info details
Job title	Senior Private Rented Sector Investigation and Enforcement Officer
Strategic team/Directorate	Adults and Community Services
Service	Community & Customer Services
Business unit	Housing Options
Responsible to (day to day issues)	Housing Options Team Leader
Accountable to (line manager)	Housing Options Manager
Salary grade	I
JE ref	ADC049

1. Key purpose of job

• To support the provision of advice and guidance in line with Government legislation to the public and other agencies on private rented sector tenancies with the aim of preventing homelessness and improving the quality of the private rented sector accommodation in Torbay.
• To coordinate the case load of the Investigation and Enforcement Officer/s ensuring accurate assessment, investigation and duties of the council’s responsibility to tenants and landlords in line with the legal framework under the Renters Rights Act 2025.
• To actively case manage and coordinate the case management of the team to promote prevention of homelessness, investigate allegations of malpractice and advise on and undertake enforcement action in line with the RRA25 and department policies and protocols.
• To support collaborative working with other agencies, including enforcement agencies, and Council departments to prevent homelessness and prepare legal documents to support prosecution/legal action for landlords breaking the law.
• To promote the safeguarding of adults and children who use the service.

2. Anticipated outcomes of post

• Ensure all requirements set out in the RRA25 are in place and delivered to protect those at risk.
• Support the prevention of homelessness through targeted early interventions, the investigation of complaints from tenants, support vulnerable individuals and ensure they understand their legal rights.
• Effective case management of illegal evictions and allegations of unlawful landlord behaviour.
• Customer expectations are managed through local service delivery that is developed in a multi-agency way that is flexible and meets changing local need.
• The safeguarding of adults and children is embedded into service delivery.

3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post

• As an Employee of Torbay Council all roles are expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. The Designated Senior Lead for Safeguarding is the Chief Executive and Director of Children’s Services.
• To support the council’s statutory duties under Housing legislation and in particular the Renters Rights Act 25:
  “Working within the legal framework set out in the RRA25, to accurately undertake investigation to obtain information sufficient to determine whether a legal eviction has been undertaken, whether the tenant or potential tenant had been treated fairly, whether the Landlord had registered the property on the national database, and if further action is required.”
• To respond to client’s enquiries and complaints to assess their circumstances in detail and advise on the ‘next steps’.
• To effectively and accurately work with colleagues within the Housing Options Service to ensure appropriate outcomes for homelessness and housing applications are achieved.
• Carrying out visits to properties to aid investigation.
• Carry out PACE interviews and gather evidence to support potential prosecution and provide evidence in Court as required.
• To take remedial action to reinstate access to illegally excluded properties as required.
• Within appropriate guidelines, to signpost clients to specialist advice agencies.
• To pro-actively take action to prevent the loss of accommodation either as a short- or long-term solution using all means available avoiding the use of emergency accommodation wherever possible.
• To work with the Housing Standards Team on supporting 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.
• To effectively liaise with other sections of the Council and external agencies to improve the services and information to our customers, where appropriate.
• To carry out such other appropriate duties as may be required by the head of service commensurate with the grade of this post.

4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post

• None.

5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post

• To supervise and coordinate the Investigation and Enforcement Officer/s ensuring accurate investigation, assessment and enforcement actions are undertaken in line with the RRA25 and departmental policies and protocols.

6. Working environment and conditions of the post

• Normal working environment although will be expected to attend home visits and undertake assessments in properties or engage with individuals on the streets.
• The role will require you to communicate with landlords and tenants who may be in conflict, and their behaviour therefore could present as challenging at times.

7. Physical demands of the post

• Normal physical effort.

8. Specific resources used by the post

• Normal resources.

9. Key contacts and relationships

External

• NHS care trust, GP’s, temporary accommodation providers, supporting people providers, letting agents, landlords, other support providers, registered landlords, advocacy agencies, social services, Probation, Police, IOM, housing needs services across Devon, and any other voluntary and statutory agencies.

Internal

• Housing Benefits, affordable housing, Children’s Services, Social Services, wider Community Safety team - Housing Standards, and ASB, Connections, Call Centre, other council departments, Elected Members and Senior Managers.

10. Other duties

• To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job.

Other Information

• All staff must commit to the Workplace Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Practice and Policy.
• All staff must commit to Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discriminatory Practice.
• Torbay Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo the checks appropriate to the post applied for.
• The post holder is expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. And are aware that the Chief Executive and the Director for Childrens Services are the Safeguarding Leads for the Council. 
• This post is office based at Town Hall, Torquay but the post holder may be required to move their base to any other location within the Council at a future date.
• As this post meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check (Disclosure) from the Disclosure & Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of ALL cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions, whether “spent” or “unspent”. Criminal convictions will only be taken into account when they are relevant to the post.
• The Council operates a Smoke-Free Policy, and the post-holder is prohibited from smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. The Council does not permit smoking breaks within work time, however, in services where the flexi-scheme is in operation, employees may take reasonable break times outside of core hours, in accordance with flexi-time arrangements. Employees should follow the flexi-scheme procedure for agreeing time away from their duties in the normal manner with their immediate colleagues and line manager, with break start and finish times being recorded, as with any other break-time arrangement. 
• The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all relevant Council Policies and Procedures.
• The post-holder must comply with the Council’s Health and Safety requirements as outlined in the H&S policy appropriate to the role.
• The post-holder must be committed to the Council’s Core Values for employees – “Torbay Council employees are committed to being forward thinking, people orientated and adaptable - always with integrity”. Evidence will be sought during the probation and appraisal processes.
• If this post is customer facing, it will require the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• If you are required to access a government system such as HMRC, DWP or The Public services network (PSN) as part of your role with the Council you will be required to complete a basic disclose with your line manager before you can access these systems. Your manager will be required to complete a verification form that confirms your identity, nationality and immigration status, employment history and unspent convictions (third party).
• If you are required to use your own vehicle on Council business or drive a council vehicle you will be asked to provide information on any driving endorsements by accessing gov.uk/view-driving-licence and providing a code to your Line Manager in order to share your driving licence information with the Council.

Person Specification

Note for Candidate

All Candidates

The supporting statement on your application form will be used to assess ability to meet the essential requirements of the role, so you should explain how you meet each of the numbered essential requirements within your supporting statement. In a competitive situation, the desirable criteria may be taken into consideration, so you are encouraged to show how you also meet each of the desirable criteria.

Candidates who consider that they have a disability

Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.

If you consider yourself to have a disability you should indicate this on your application form, providing any information you would like us to take into account with regard to your disability in order to offer a fair selection interview.

Where ever possible and reasonable we will make adjustments and offer alternatives to help you through the application and selection process.

If you have indicated that you have a disability on your application form you will be guaranteed an interview if you clearly demonstrate in your supporting evidence how you broadly meet the essential requirements of the role.

Job info	Job info details
Job Title	Senior Private Rented Sector Investigation and Enforcement Officer
Strategic team/Directorate	Adults and Community Services
Service	Community & Customer Services
Business unit	Housing Options

Skills and effectiveness

Essential skills and effectiveness

• Ability to understand and apply relevant Homeless, Housing and Health legislation to ensure that statutory duties are maintained.
• Ability to problem solve and think and act creatively to apply different working solutions to ensure legislative compliance and value for money for the local authority.
• Ability to deal with difficult situations in a calm and sympathetic manner, especially in dealing with vulnerable individuals in complex situations.
• To undertake investigative interviews, this may also include those under legal caution, to enable an assessment of need and compliance with legislation.
• To be able to communicate with clarity, tact and purpose in all relevant situations especially those of a sensitive and emotional nature.
• Good organisational ability, particularly self-organisation, ability to see tasks through to a successful conclusion, whilst working to tight deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records to provide accountability, deliverability and to be used as evidence if required.
• Ability to establish positive relationships with partners generating confidence and respect.
• Able to elicit information from service users, careers and professional staff to make informed decisions.
• Ability to use appropriate computer packages including case management systems.
• Efficient time management skills to be able to work to tight deadlines.
• This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

Desirable skills and effectiveness

• Presentation skills.
• Ability to contribute towards change and innovation.

Knowledge

Essential knowledge

• Current knowledge of homelessness legislation, Renters Rights Act, Case law, codes of practice and its application.
• Strong legislative background and knowledge of legal procedures and processes.
• Ability to critically assess if an offence has been committed under the relevant housing legislation and take action as required.
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of case management and the appropriate provision of information to external agencies to ensure safeguarding and data breaches do not occur.

Desirable knowledge

• Knowledge of the local housing environment and private rented sector.
• Knowledge of Children's Act 1989 and hence duties of the local authority.

Experience and achievements

Essential experience and achievements

• Essential experience and achievements. 
• Conducting investigations, witness statements, conducting PACE interviews and collation of prosecution files.
• Experience of working within housing advice services.
• Experience of managing complex case work in a multi-agency environment and working in partnership.
• Experience of working with competing deadlines whilst meeting targets. 

Desirable experience and achievements

• Working in a Local Government Environment. 
• Experience of working in a legal environment.
• Experience of dealing with people with challenging behaviour and complex needs including mental health issues.
• Attending Court to give evidence.
• Ability to undertake HHSRS assessments under Housing standards legislation.

Qualifications/professional memberships

Essential qualifications/professional memberships

• Educated to at least HND level or equivalent or relevant experience.
• ECDL or equivalent IT experience.
• Professional qualification in housing or related area or relevant experience.

Desirable qualifications/professional memberships

• HHSRS Qualification.

Other requirements

Other requirements of the job role

• Demonstrates a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
• Ability to travel efficiently around the Bay in order to carry out duties.
• Ability to accommodate occasional home-working.