Contract type: Permanent

Working hours: 37 hours per week

We have a new vision to modernise our Private Sector Housing service and create a strong tenancy relations and enforcement function that protects tenants' rights, supports good landlords and improves standards across the private rented sector.

Colchester is Britain's First City, and Britain's Newest City. A wealth of heritage buildings, coastline and Constable countryside surrounds a modern City that is rapidly changing to match our thriving population growth.

Our Private Sector Housing service will be at the heart of improving standards in the private rented sector, protecting tenants' rights and working with residents, landlords, letting agents and partner agencies to support safe, secure and well-managed homes. Good quality services will create a better tomorrow for future generations, a challenge that will need forward-thinking and innovation in continuing the delivery of our aspirations.

There is an opportunity to develop your career in a rewarding tenancy relations and private sector housing enforcement environment, gaining diverse and interesting experience while making a real difference to residents' lives. You would join a friendly but hardworking team who strive for continual improvement and high-quality outcomes for tenants, landlords and communities.

Our team are empowered, dedicated, constructive, open and honest, actively listen, learn from one another and act as individual leaders. This positive team culture embraces proactive, collaborative and solution-focused approaches that are fundamental to the successful future of everything we do. If you value these behaviours too, we would love to hear from you.

From the start, you will work with autonomy and accountability to investigate unlawful eviction, landlord harassment, discrimination, tenancy breaches and other private rented sector enforcement matters. You will gather evidence, interview relevant parties, prepare case files, notices, witness statements and reports, and make proportionate recommendations for enforcement action, civil penalties, prosecution, rent repayment orders or other legal remedies.

You may also support warrant or court authorisation applications, working with legal services, courts and partner agencies. You will bring sound knowledge of landlord and tenant issues, evidence-led investigation, safeguarding, homelessness prevention and relevant legislation, including the Protection from Eviction Act 1977, Renters' Rights Act 2025, Housing Act 2004 and Housing Act 1988.

Contact will include residents, tenants, landlords, letting agents, managing agents, legal representatives, partner agencies, internal housing teams, homelessness services, environmental health colleagues, community safety, the courts, police and other enforcement bodies.

You will provide clear advice and support to residents, including those who are homeless, threatened with homelessness, or at risk of illegal eviction or harassment, helping them understand their rights and options. You will work with tenants, landlords, agents and partner agencies to sustain tenancies, prevent homelessness, resolve disputes through advice, investigation and intervention, support vulnerable residents and promote good practice across the private rented sector.

You will maintain accurate records on case management systems, follow relevant procedures and ensure all work is carried out in accordance with data protection, safeguarding, equality and health and safety requirements, including the Council's policies for handling personal data safely and securely.

Flexible Working

In return, we are happy to talk about flexible working arrangements. You could blend home, remote, office and site working. Full-time hours are 37 per week, but we are open to discussing flexible working options, allowing for individual work/life balance, including part-time working, school hours, term-time only arrangements or a nine-day fortnight.

In addition to the basic salary, you will also be reimbursed for work-related travel expenses. However, as the role is based locally within Colchester, extensive travel is unlikely to be required.

Employee Benefits

Excellent Local Government Pension Scheme.
Annual leave entitlement of up to 26 days per year.
Additional leave on the 8 public holidays.
2 extra statutory leave days at Christmas.
The ability to accrue up to 2 flexi leave days each month.
Options to purchase additional annual leave.
Access to Stream, providing pre-tax savings options and the ability to access earned salary early if required.
Contribution towards professional memberships.
Mileage and subsistence allowance payments.
Vine Extras employee discount scheme.
Tax-free cycle schemes.
Discounted fitness classes, gym and swimming memberships.
Reduced-cost private healthcare options.
Staff incentives for events, museums and exhibitions.
Extensive learning and development opportunities, including apprenticeships, coaching, mentoring and leadership qualifications.
Employee Assistance Programme providing confidential support.
A range of health and wellbeing activities, groups and programmes.

Further Information

If you would like to know more about the role, please contact Maureen Peart, Maureen.Peart@colchester.gov.uk to find out more or arrange an informal telephone conversation.

Successful candidates will be notified of the outcome of their application within three working days of the closing date. We look forward to receiving your application.

For a copy of the job description, please click here.

Colchester City Council has a wide range of services and facilities that can involve dealing with children or vulnerable adults. We treat our obligations for the safety of children and vulnerable adults seriously and expect our staff to be committed to the principles of our published policies and to adhere to the procedures contained within them.