Private Sector Housing Team Leader

Our client, a local authority in the South West, is looking for an experienced interim Team Leader to take the reins on HMO Licensing and Enforcement. This is a focused brief — HMO licensing and enforcement casework, following a recent restructure that's split this out from the wider enforcement function. If you want to lead a team, clear a backlog, and get stuck into real HMO casework without the sprawl of a broader service, this is it. What you'll be doing: * Leading the HMO Licensing and Enforcement function * Processing HMO applications — Mandatory, Additional, and Selective Licensing * Managing and reducing backlogs of licence applications and inspections * Carrying out and overseeing HMO inspections (HHSRS) * Assessing property conditions, amenity standards, and management arrangements * Reviewing and serving enforcement notices — Improvement Notices, Prohibition Orders, licence condition breaches * Tackling non-compliance — unlicensed HMOs, rogue landlords, licence breaches * Processing Civil Penalty Notices under the Housing Act 2004 * Managing prosecution files and evidence for serious cases * Leading and supporting a team of EHOs / Housing Enforcement Officers / Licensing Officers * Allocating casework and managing team performance * Liaising with the council's Planning Enforcement/Envirocrime function on cross-over cases * Handling landlord, tenant, and member enquiries * Reporting casework status and performance to management What you'll bring: * Local authority background in Private Sector Housing, Environmental Health, or Housing Standards * Hands-on HMO Licensing experience (Mandatory, Additional, Selective) * Practical HMO enforcement experience — notices, prosecutions, civil penalties * Solid working knowledge of the Housing Act 2004, HMO Management Regulations, HHSRS * Team leadership/supervisory experience * A track record of clearing backlogs * Confidence with case management and evidence gathering for enforcement Nice to have: * EHORB registration or CIEH membership * Experience with Selective/Additional Licensing designations * Prohibition Notices, Improvement Notices, Smoke Alarm Remedial Notices * PACE interviewing / prosecution file experience * Previous interim/locum local authority experience