Our benefits
You can also see our full list of employee benefits on our careers site here: Why you should work for us | West Northamptonshire Council.
About the role
West Northamptonshire is a place of ambition and opportunity with a strong focus on working with our many different communities. At the heart of our vision to make West Northants a great place to live, work, visit and thrive, is a clear commitment to improving health, preventing ill-health and reducing inequalities.
We are seeking to appoint a Housing Enforcement Manager to lead our successful Housing Enforcement Team, working not just on current processes but also being pivotal in redesigning our responses in line with the Renters Rights Act 2025. Whilst your focus will be on rented properties across private and social rented sectors, you will be expected to work closely with the Housing Regulation Manager who supported the licensed property activities.
The Team have been turning heads and getting results in ensuring that the Private Rented Sector is providing safe and sustainable accommodation, unsafe and unlicensed properties are brought back into compliance, and that those who seek to benefit from criminal, rogue and irresponsible behaviours are dealt with in line with the Council’s enforcement regime
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore subject to an enhanced DBS certificate.
It is also a regulated activity and will be subject to a Children's Barred List check. West Northamptonshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
What will you be doing?
Working across the Housing Enforcement functions, you lead the team of Housing Enforcement Officers who undertake inspections using the Housing Health & Safety Rating System (HHSRS) to identify disrepair, other non-compliance with local and statutory requirements and breaches of management standards. Where necessary, you support action to ensure compliance. Great communication skills are key, as you will be working with several key partners, including the Police, Fire and Rescue, Immigration, HMRC and others, to ensure residents are safeguarded and afforded safe accommodation.
This role offers hybrid-working, 2 days working from home and 3 days out across West Northants. For this reason, a UK driving license and access to a vehicle are essential.
About you
This is a rare chance to step into a pivotal role where your expertise will directly shape housing standards and make a lasting difference to communities.
We’re looking for a high-calibre professional who brings both technical excellence and the drive to lead change in a challenging and rewarding environment.
You’ll already be a recognised expert in your field, with the confidence and credibility to operate at a senior level. You will have:
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A relevant degree or extensive, hands-on experience in Private Sector Housing enforcement and regulation
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A management qualification or a strong track record of leading teams, driving performance, and embedding change
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Certification in applying the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
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In-depth knowledge of the Housing Act 2004, HHSRS, and regulatory enforcement powers relating to HMOs and private sector housing
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Proven experience building and progressing complex enforcement cases through to First-tier Tribunal or Magistrates’ Court
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Strong understanding of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 and its real-world application
This isn’t just another enforcement role — it’s an opportunity to:
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Take ownership of complex, high-impact cases
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Influence standards across the private rented sector
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Play a key role in protecting vulnerable residents
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Lead and inspire change in a service that truly matters
We’re looking for someone who combines expertise with purpose:
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Confident, decisive, and comfortable operating in a demanding regulatory environment
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Passionate about raising standards and making a visible difference
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Committed to ensuring every resident has access to safe, secure, and sustainable homes
About us
At West Northants Council, it’s about our people. People who thrive with ambition, bubble with new ideas, demand better ways of working, caring about every detail, and who never shy away from a challenge. Our culture is a gateway for new experiences. A place to forge new opportunities. To empower you in your career and unite you with like-minded people.
Our vision is ‘to make West Northants a great place to live, work, visit and thrive’. We truly stand by this and work hard every day to make this a reality. Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance, Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver services.
We are committed to ensuring diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion is woven into the fabric of WNC and everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and maximize their full potential. We are a disability confident employer, a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, and a Care Leaver Covenant partner
The following film was created by us to communicate our intentions - watch WNC colleagues explain what DEI means to us.
If you need additional support or reasonable adjustments during the application process, including needing the job description in another format or language, please email [email protected] for support.
West Northants Council, where careers thrive.
