Housing Surveyor (Damp & Mould / Repairs & Maintenance) – AR

Job Details

Service Area

Housing / Property & Asset Management / Repairs and Maintenance

Reports To

Senior Surveyor / Asset Manager / Repairs & Maintenance Manager

Purpose of the Role

To protect tenants’ health and wellbeing by proactively identifying, diagnosing, and specifying effective solutions for damp, mould, and condensation issues across the council’s housing stock, ensuring compliance with statutory obligations, housing standards, and best practice.

Key Responsibilities

Property Inspection & Diagnosis

  • Undertake comprehensive inspections of council‑owned homes to investigate reports of damp, mould growth, condensation, water ingress, and related defects
  • Diagnose root causes, including building defects, ventilation failures, heating performance, lifestyle factors, and environmental conditions
  • Assess risks under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), with particular focus on vulnerable households

Remedial Works & Specification

  • Specify appropriate remedial works, including structural repairs, damp‑proofing solutions, ventilation upgrades, insulation improvements, and mould treatment
  • Prepare clear schedules of work, technical specifications, and cost estimates for inclusion in repairs and planned works programmes
  • Ensure specifications align with council standards, Building Regulations, and approved contractor frameworks

Tenant & Stakeholder Engagement

  • Communicate findings and solutions clearly and sensitively to tenants, supporting resident understanding and cooperation
  • Provide professional advice to Housing Officers, Repairs Teams, Complaints Teams, and Environmental Health where required
  • Support early intervention and prevention strategies to reduce repeat cases and service demand

Compliance, Quality & Assurance

  • Ensure all activity complies with the Housing Act, HHSRS, Building Regulations, and council policies
  • Inspect works in progress and post‑completion to assure quality, effectiveness, and value for money
  • Contribute technical input to complaints responses, Ombudsman cases, Member enquiries, and legal disrepair claims

Records & Continuous Improvement

  • Maintain accurate property records, inspection notes, photographs, and reports on housing management systems
  • Identify trends and systemic issues across the housing stock and contribute to service improvement initiatives
  • Support the development of damp and mould policies, procedures, and staff guidance

Knowledge and Experience

  • Significant experience surveying damp and mould issues within social housing or local authority settings
  • Strong knowledge of residential building pathology and traditional and modern construction methods
  • Detailed understanding of housing legislation, regulation, and landlord responsibilities
  • Experience working in occupied homes and managing sensitive customer situations

Skills and Competencies

  • Excellent diagnostic and analytical skills
  • Ability to explain technical findings in clear, non‑technical language
  • Strong written skills for producing professional reports and recommendations
  • Customer‑focused, empathetic approach aligned with public service values
  • Ability to manage competing priorities and work autonomously

Qualifications

  • Qualification in Building Surveying, Construction, Property, or related discipline (HNC/HND, degree, or equivalent experience) (desirable)
  • Damp, mould, or building pathology–related training or certification (desirable)

Other Requirements

  • Full UK driving licence and ability to travel across the housing stock
  • Willingness to work in occupied homes and respond to priority health‑related cases
  • Commitment to equality, diversity, safeguarding, and data protection