Private Sector Housing Officer

1 X Permanent Opportunity

2 X 6 Months Fixed Term and Secondment Opportunities

Hackney is an exciting, diverse and vibrant borough, home to people from all walks of life and where 89 languages are spoken.

We have an eclectic mix of housing and one in three households now rents in the private sector. Housing across London is experiencing unprecedented pressure, with rents rocketing as demand increases. Hackney’s Mayor has pledged to tackle poor conditions and management concerns. The Council is getting tough on rogue landlords and making agents fulfil their duties using new powers and expanded licensing schemes.

We are looking for individuals with a background in Private Sector Housing who are keen to make a difference and help improve living conditions for tenants.

The ideal candidate will have empathy for tenants living in poor housing, understanding the impact it can have on their health and wellbeing. You must be a good listener and be able to communicate well with landlords and other stakeholders, taking care to be professional and remain impartial. Excellent verbal and written skills are essential, as is being IT literate.

Your duties will include investigating complaints or carrying out licensing inspections of houses in multiple occupations, depending on the role.

Ideally, you will hold or be working towards a diploma or degree in Environmental Health, or the Level 5 Diploma in Housing Regulation/Private Sector Housing Interventions. You must have a working knowledge of the Housing Health & Safety Rating System (HHSRS), and have experience of taking formal enforcement action under the Housing Act 2004 and public health legislation.

Alternatively, we welcome applications from those with solid experience in a Private Sector Housing setting or an enforcement background, or individuals with relevant trade, building or surveying experience.

Successful candidates will be joining a friendly team, committed to ensuring safe and well managed homes for people who live in Hackney.

If you are interested in either of these roles and would like to have an informal discussion, please contact colette.kirkbride@hackney.gov.uk.

As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation.

If you want to work in a place where you can represent our values so we achieve the best for our residents, please click on the apply button below.

We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CV’s.

To proceed with your application, you will need to create an account and submit your application.

As part of the application process, you will need to complete a number of competency based questions. These questions allow you to demonstrate your suitability for the role and provide examples of your skills, knowledge and experience outlined in the job description.

We understand the benefits of using AI in the workplace. However, if you are thinking of using this tool to submit your application, we ask you to think about what value it will add. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.

This application process replaces a supporting statement.

Prior to applying for a vacancy for a secondment opportunity, please liaise with your line manager and inform them of your interest in applying for the role.

Closing date for applications:12 February 2026 (22:59)

Interview and assessment date: W/C 02 March 2026

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk