Investigative Support Officer – Empty Homes

Priority Candidates will be considered in the first instance

Wigan Town Hall

Salary 6 Grade, £ £29,540.00 - ££32,597.00 per annum

37 hours per week

Temporary until 12 months

We're on a journey to build a workforce reflective of our Borough.

We are committed to fostering diverse teams where everybody can bring their authentic selves to work and feel that they belong. If you want to work for a Council where everybody is encouraged to meet their full potential and make a difference in our neighbourhoods, we would love to hear from you!

Your role:

As an Investigative Support Officer specialising in Empty Homes, you will take a lead role in identifying, investigating, and supporting the return of long-term empty properties back into occupation through the Empty Homes Investment Scheme (EHIS) and Family Leasing Scheme (FLS). You will provide investigative and administrative support across a range of private sector housing enforcement activities, including the preparation of case files, evidence gathering, and the drafting of statutory notices and other enforcement documentation.

Working closely with the team, you will assist in building robust enforcement cases, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and adherence to relevant legislation and procedures. The role will involve coordinating intelligence, sharing information with internal and external partners, and supporting the investigation of private sector housing issues affecting empty properties.

You will engage with property owners, agents, and stakeholders to encourage voluntary action to bring empty homes back into use, whilst also supporting formal enforcement action where necessary. In addition, you will contribute to wider initiatives aimed at improving housing standards, tackling rogue landlords, addressing property-related anti-social behaviour, and preventing the unlawful or criminal use of residential property.

About you:

You will be enthusiastic and self-motivated, with the ability to operate effectively as a member of a team and be able to undertake lone working, working flexibly, organising appointments and accurately following working procedures. You will use your own initiative to breakdown problems, ask the right questions and to take the appropriate action. You will have the ability to look at processes and determine the most effective manner to action them, proposing more constructive and time efficient practices.

About us:

You will have the opportunity to shape this role, bringing creativity and innovation to bring empty properties back into use across the borough. Our team is committed to exploring new approaches and is not afraid to implement initiatives outside of conventional practice to achieve the best possible outcomes. You will work effectively by applying Government guidance as a foundation, supported by the Empty Homes Strategy and Housing Standards Enforcement Policy to inform your daily practice. Additionally, you will be encouraged to collaborate with partners to secure optimal results and maximise productivity, ensuring that all relevant stakeholders are actively engaged in the process. The Housing Standards team is a busy team, and we are looking for an individual who will make a valuable contribution. You will be part of an exciting service in which no two days are the same.

You can learn more about the work of the Housing Standards team to demonstrate your knowledge and passion via our website - https://www.wigan.gov.uk/Resident/Housing/Private-Housing/Private-Housing.aspx You may also find our Housing Standards Enforcement Policy useful in order to familiarise yourself with the policy that underpins everything we do.

The Progress with Unity plan is a place movement for change for the next decade, bringing a new era for Wigan Borough. It draws on the strengths of our individual organisations, recognising that together we can achieve much more for our communities by delivering on our 2 place missions; create fair opportunities for all children, families, residents and businesses and make our towns and neighbourhoods flourish for those who live and work in them.

Here at Wigan, we are proud to support flexible working patterns, when the service can accommodate this. We also take a blended approach to where we work, depending on the work we do. This may include working from home, the office, or the community. We like to thank our employees for their hard work and commitment by giving them the opportunity to access a range of exclusive rewards and benefits click here to find out more about working for #TeamWigan.

To be appointed to this role you must be able to prove your right to work in the UK, and you must maintain a valid (active) right to work. Please note, at present we are not a licenced sponsor. Please visit the link below to check you qualify to apply. Prove your right to work to an employer: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Prove your right to work to an employer

Wigan Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. As part of this commitment, Wigan Council operates robust Safer Recruitment procedures

Should you wish to discuss the role in further detail, please contact Helen Baskett, Senior Enforcement Officer, h.baskett@wigan.gov.uk

Interview dates:

Priority Candidates: 26^th August 2026

All other candidates: 2^nd September 2026

To view the details relating to this position, please click the links below: