In terms of RoPA we are currently at very early stages and with no guaranteed timescales, however regulation is becoming increasingly likely and expectations are that it will be in the next 2-3 years.
Responsibility lies with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. We heard directly from the department this week and although regulation is a priority, all resources are currently being diverted to deal with the current Covid pandemic.
So what DO we know?
The RoPA report was very clear about the need for all customer advising staff to be qualified to level 3.
It also confirmed that any Level 3 must be Ofqual regulated, meaning that the qualifications have to be written, validated and comply to an agreed high standard
So what qualifications fit the RoPA brief as we know it?
- Propertymark Level 3 Award in Residential Letting and Property Management
- Propertymark Level 3 Award in The Sale of Residential Property
- ABBE Level 3 Certificate in Property Advice & Practice CePAP– (the ONLY L3 Ofqual regulated qualification covering BOTH estate agency and lettings in one qualification)
- Ascentis Level 3 Certificate in Managing Property and Residential Lettings
- Chartered Institute of Housing –Lettings & Property Management.
What happens if I study a qualification now before RoPA is confirmed?
Well, the RoPA report also made it very clear that agents with an existing level 3 Ofqual regulated qualification could study Top up – to ensure they covered all the syllabus requirements set by the Regulator.
So if you have passed the CePAP L3 qualification and the Regulator decides to add a specific topic to the syllabus (Ethics or any new passed law perhaps??) then The Able Agent will add the course to the online training to enable users to download a certificate confirming this additional “Top up” study, which would satisfy the regulator as appropriate.
We also know that ongoing Continual Professional Development (CPD) will be a mandatory and if in line with other areas of the UK could be around 25 hours per year. However this will also be subject to rigorous quality control.
We also know that business owners, directors and those dealing in block management will be expected to be qualified to Level 4.
Apprenticeships
There is currently a Junior Estate agent standard apprenticeship at Level 2 which does not fit the RoPA brief.
A new level 3 Apprenticeship standard is expected and would fit RoPA expectations.
Existing apprenticeship standards in customer service or business admin can be aligned to include a technical qualification (such as Propertymark Level 3 or CePAP), so if you have staff studying on an apprenticeship – ask your training provider to add The Able Agent training resources and the CePAP qualification to ensure that the study future proofs you for RoPA in both estate agency and lettings. This would enable you to get RoPA ready and support new starters with apprenticeship training.
Apprenticeship or self study?
This will depend on how much time you have to dedicate to off the job training and the many additional hoops needed such as admin, literacy and numeracy tests and time off the job. Apprenticeships require an agent to contribute 5% of the funding bill which will be around £200 but they do require extra course work and evidence gathering and face to face time with an tutor. Apprenticeships should not be seen as free training as the time off the job can have an impact on a business. HOWEVER, for the right staff an apprenticeship is a fantastic resource of really interactive supporting training.
To summarise
If you are keen to adopt good business and training habits and would like a resource to manage this for you, and if you are keen to be ahead of the competition for Regulation then consider The Able Agent…