Main Duties

Thanet District Council is looking for a confident and proactive Empty Homes Officer to join its Private Sector Housing Team.

The successful candidate will play a vital role in helping the council to bring long term empty homes back into use. Empty and derelict properties have an adverse effect on neighbourhoods. They can be unsightly and attract crime and anti-social behaviour such as squatting, arson, graffiti and fly-tipping. They can also affect the value of neighbouring properties by creating an impression of neglect and decline within a community. Furthermore, they are a wasted resource in a time of ever growing housing demand. The council is therefore fully committed to tackling empty homes.

This role will focus on surveying and assessing empty homes, liaising with owners, property managers and other relevant persons, and attempting to negotiate a return to use. When informal interventions fail, the postholder will, on a worst first basis, use the statutory powers available to the council to bring as many empty homes back into use as possible.

This post will be attractive to anyone who wants a challenging role where the use of initiative and robust interventions are very much encouraged. In the midst of a housing crisis, there is no better time to make a real difference.

Essential Requirements

Awareness of legislation relating to private sector housing, in particular that relating to empty and derelict homes.
Ability to inspect buildings and make assessments of general and structural conditions.
Ability to negotiate and communicate effectively.
Ability to author clear and concise letters, statutory notices, statements and reports.
Experience of working with property and land owners and dealing with difficult situations.
Applicants will hold a Level 4 or above qualification in a relevant subject area, such as a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Building Studies or relevant experience in dealing with empty homes.
This post requires you to have a full driving licence and your own vehicle, as travelling around the district, sometimes to remote sites, is a requirement of the post.

Due to the nature of the role the successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS check as part of their pre-employment checks.

For an informal discussion about this post, please contact Nicholas Bray, Senior Housing Improvement Officer, on 01843 577931 or nicholas.bray@thanet.gov.uk.

Closing Date: Wednesday 06 May 2026

Interview Date: Friday 15 May 2026