Block Management Accreditations and Professional Standards
Understanding the professional bodies and qualifications behind your managing agent is essential for every leaseholder and freeholder. This guide explains what ARMA, RICS, IRPM, and TPI accreditations mean and why they matter for your building.
Why Accreditations Matter in Block Management
Choosing an accredited block management company gives leaseholders and freeholders confidence that their building is managed by professionals who meet recognised industry standards. Unlike many sectors, there is currently no statutory licensing requirement for property managers in the UK, which means voluntary accreditations and memberships play a crucial role in distinguishing competent, accountable agents from those who are not.
A regulated managing agent who holds membership of bodies such as The Property Institute, RICS, or who employs staff with IRPM qualifications has made a commitment to operating within a framework of professional conduct, continuing education, and independent oversight. These accreditations are not merely badges on a website; they represent binding obligations to follow codes of practice, maintain professional indemnity insurance, and submit to disciplinary processes if standards are not met.
For leaseholders who are unsure whether their current agent meets professional standards, or for directors of a residents management company looking to appoint a new agent, our guide to how to choose a managing agent explains what to look for. Understanding accreditations is the first step towards making an informed decision about who manages your building and your managing agent's responsibilities.
Key Professional Bodies in Block Management
There are 4 key professional bodies and qualifications that leaseholders should understand when evaluating a block management company. Each serves a different purpose in setting and maintaining standards across the residential property management sector.
The Property Institute (TPI) / ARMA
The Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA) was the principal trade body for residential managing agents. In 2024, ARMA merged with IRPM to form The Property Institute (TPI). Is ARMA now The Property Institute? Yes. All former ARMA members are now part of TPI.
An ARMA managing agent was required to follow a strict code of practice covering financial management, communication, maintenance standards, and complaints handling. TPI continues these standards, and an ARMA qualification or TPI membership remains a strong indicator of professional competence in block management.
RICS - Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
RICS block management regulation means the managing agent operates under the oversight of the world's leading professional body for property. RICS sets rigorous standards through its RICS code of practice for service charge residential management, covering everything from financial transparency to duty of care.
A RICS-regulated firm must maintain professional indemnity insurance, comply with client money handling rules, and submit to regular audits. The RICS disciplinary framework provides an additional layer of accountability beyond redress schemes, giving leaseholders confidence that their agent is held to the highest standards.
IRPM - Institute of Residential Property Management
The IRPM focuses on the professional development of individuals working in residential property management. An IRPM qualified manager has completed structured IRPM courses covering leasehold law, service charge administration, health and safety, and building maintenance management.
The IRPM qualification is offered at Foundation, Certificate, and Diploma levels, allowing property managers to develop their expertise progressively. Now part of TPI, IRPM qualifications remain the benchmark for property manager qualifications in the residential sector and demonstrate that the individual has invested in their professional knowledge.
TPI - The Property Institute
TPI block management membership represents the current unified standard for the sector, combining the trade body role of ARMA with the professional qualifications framework of IRPM. TPI members commit to a code of conduct, ongoing continuing professional development, and independent complaints resolution.
For leaseholders evaluating a managing agent, TPI membership demonstrates that the company and its staff meet the sector's combined standards for competence, ethics, and professional practice. It is the most comprehensive single accreditation in UK residential block management today.
What Qualifications Should a Property Manager Have?
While there is no single mandatory qualification for property managers in the UK, several credentials are widely recognised as evidence of professional competence. When appointing an accredited block management company, it is worth asking which property manager qualifications the team holds and whether the firm encourages its staff to pursue continuing professional development.
IRPM Foundation, Certificate, or Diploma - the sector-specific qualification for residential property managers covering leasehold law, service charges, and building management
RICS membership (MRICS or FRICS) - demonstrates that the individual has met the rigorous entry standards of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
TPI membership - confirms the firm and its staff adhere to the combined professional standards of the former ARMA and IRPM
AssocRICS - an associate-level RICS qualification suitable for property managers working towards full chartered status
Relevant degree or postgraduate qualification in property management, surveying, or a related discipline
Continuing professional development (CPD) - regular training to stay current with legislation, best practice, and sector developments
At Block, our property managers hold recognised professional qualifications and are committed to ongoing training. We believe that property manager qualifications are fundamental to delivering the standard of service that leaseholders and freeholders deserve. For more on what you should expect from a competent managing agent, see our block management overview.
How to Check if Your Managing Agent Is Accredited
Knowing how to verify whether a management company is legitimate and properly accredited is an important step in protecting your interests as a leaseholder. An accredited block management company will be transparent about its memberships and happy to provide proof of registration. Here is how you can check.
Check TPI / ARMA membership
Search The Property Institute website for the managing agent by name. Former ARMA members are now listed under TPI. Membership confirms the firm follows a recognised code of conduct and professional standards.
Verify RICS regulation
Use the RICS Regulated Firm directory to confirm whether the managing agent is regulated by RICS. Regulated firms must comply with the RICS code of practice, maintain professional indemnity insurance, and meet client money handling requirements.
Confirm redress scheme membership
All managing agents must be registered with the Property Redress Scheme or The Property Ombudsman. Search both directories to confirm your agent is a member. If they are not registered with either, they are operating unlawfully.
Ask about staff qualifications
Request details of the property manager qualifications held by the team who will manage your building. Look for IRPM qualifications, RICS membership, or TPI-recognised credentials. A reputable agent will be happy to share this information.
If your current managing agent cannot demonstrate appropriate accreditations, or if you have concerns about the standard of service being provided, you may wish to explore your options. Our guide to switching managing agent explains the process, or you can learn about making a block management complaint if issues remain unresolved. You can also review how the Property Redress Scheme provides an independent route for dispute resolution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ARMA in property management?
ARMA, the Association of Residential Managing Agents, was the leading trade body for residential managing agents in England and Wales. In 2024, ARMA merged with IRPM to form The Property Institute (TPI). During its existence, ARMA set professional standards for block management companies, required members to follow a code of practice, and provided a consumer charter. An ARMA managing agent was expected to demonstrate competence, transparency, and accountability in the management of residential blocks. The standards established by ARMA are now carried forward under TPI, which continues to promote professional excellence across the sector.
What is an IRPM qualification?
An IRPM qualification is a professional credential awarded by the Institute of Residential Property Management, now part of The Property Institute. IRPM courses cover the practical and legal aspects of residential block management, including service charge administration, leasehold law, health and safety compliance, and building maintenance. The qualifications are offered at three levels: Foundation, Certificate, and Diploma. A property manager holding an IRPM qualification has demonstrated a structured understanding of block management principles and a commitment to continuing professional development. IRPM qualifications remain among the most recognised credentials for anyone working in residential property management in the UK.
Does a managing agent need to be registered?
Yes. Managing agents in England are required by law to be a member of an approved redress scheme, either the Property Redress Scheme or The Property Ombudsman. This requirement was introduced by the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013. Failure to register can result in a fine of up to 5,000 pounds. While there is no statutory licensing requirement for managing agents at present, the government has committed to introducing further regulation. In addition, managing agents who hold client money must comply with client money protection regulations. Membership of professional bodies such as RICS, TPI, or holding an IRPM qualification, while voluntary, provides additional assurance that the agent meets recognised professional standards.
What qualifications are needed for property management?
There is currently no single mandatory qualification required to work as a property manager in the UK. However, several professional qualifications are widely recognised and demonstrate competence. These include IRPM qualifications at Foundation, Certificate, and Diploma levels, RICS-accredited property management degrees and postgraduate courses, and TPI membership with associated continuing professional development requirements. Many leaseholders and freeholders prefer to appoint a managing agent whose staff hold formal property manager qualifications, as this provides confidence that the team understands leasehold law, financial management, health and safety compliance, and building maintenance best practice.
What is the rule 4 of RICS?
Rule 4 of the RICS Rules of Conduct requires regulated firms to act with integrity. Specifically, it states that RICS members and regulated firms must not mislead clients, consumers, or third parties, and must handle conflicts of interest openly and fairly. In the context of block management, Rule 4 means that a RICS-regulated managing agent must be transparent about fees, commissions, and any potential conflicts when procuring services for a building. The RICS code of practice for residential property management provides further detailed guidance on how Rule 4 applies to the day-to-day management of blocks of flats, including requirements around financial transparency and duty of care.
What is TPI in block management?
TPI stands for The Property Institute, the professional body formed in 2024 from the merger of ARMA (the Association of Residential Managing Agents) and IRPM (the Institute of Residential Property Management). TPI block management standards combine the trade body role previously held by ARMA with the professional qualifications framework established by IRPM. TPI members are expected to uphold a code of conduct, maintain professional indemnity insurance, and commit to continuing professional development. For leaseholders, a managing agent with TPI membership demonstrates adherence to sector-wide standards of competence and ethical practice in residential block management.
Choose an Accredited Block
At Block, our team holds recognised professional qualifications and we maintain membership of the leading industry bodies. Talk to us about how an accredited block management company can make a real difference to your building.