Block Management Qualifications: What Your Property Manager Should Have
A comprehensive guide to property manager qualifications in the UK. Understand what IRPM, RICS, and TPI memberships mean for your block, why professional standards matter, and how to verify that your managing agent has the right block management qualifications to look after your building properly.
Why Qualifications Matter in Block Management
The property management industry in the UK is currently unregulated. Unlike professions such as law or accountancy, there is no legal requirement for a managing agent to hold any formal qualifications before taking on the management of a block of flats. This means that anyone can set up as a property manager and begin collecting service charges, arranging maintenance, and making decisions that directly affect leaseholders' homes and finances.
This lack of regulation is why property manager qualifications matter so much. Professional qualifications and memberships provide the assurance that a managing agent has been assessed against recognised standards of competence, adheres to a code of practice, and is subject to disciplinary procedures if they fall short. For leaseholders, choosing a qualified agent is one of the most effective ways to protect your investment and ensure your building is managed properly.
The government has made clear moves toward regulation of the property management sector. The Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 and the Renters Reform agenda signal a direction of travel toward greater accountability and professional standards for all managing agent operations. Leaseholders should not wait for regulation to arrive before demanding qualified, competent management of their buildings.
At Block, we believe that block management qualifications are not optional. Every member of our team holds relevant professional qualifications, and our firm operates to the highest professional standards in the industry. We encourage all leaseholders to ask their managing agent about their qualifications and to understand what those qualifications mean in practice.
IRPM: The Institute of Residential Property Management
The IRPM is the only professional body in the UK dedicated exclusively to residential block management. It sets the benchmark for competence and professionalism among property managers who specialise in managing blocks of flats, and IRPM membership is widely regarded as the gold standard qualification in the sector.
IRPM offers three levels of individual membership. Associate membership is the entry-level grade for those with relevant experience who have passed the IRPM foundation assessment. Member grade requires significant experience and the completion of a higher-level assessment demonstrating comprehensive knowledge of leasehold law, service charge management, building maintenance, and compliance. Fellow grade is reserved for senior professionals who have made an outstanding contribution to the profession. Each level represents a progressively deeper commitment to professional standards and ongoing learning.
All IRPM members must adhere to the IRPM code of practice, which covers areas including transparency in service charge administration, communication with leaseholders, handling of complaints, and proper management of client money protection. Members are also required to complete continuing professional development each year to ensure their knowledge remains current and relevant.
When selecting a managing agent, checking whether the individual property manager assigned to your block holds IRPM membership is one of the most reliable indicators that your building will be managed competently. At Block, our property managers hold IRPM qualifications and are committed to the ongoing professional development that IRPM membership demands.
RICS: Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
RICS is one of the most recognised professional bodies in the property sector worldwide. While RICS covers all areas of property and construction, its regulation of residential managing agents provides a robust framework of accountability and consumer protection that is highly valued by leaseholders and leaseholder rights advocates.
A RICS-regulated managing agent firm must comply with the RICS Residential Management Code, which sets out detailed requirements for service charge administration, financial reporting, communication with leaseholders, maintenance management, insurance arrangement, and dispute resolution. The code is a comprehensive document that reflects best practice in block management and provides a clear benchmark against which the performance of a managing agent can be measured.
Chartered surveyor status, denoted by the MRICS or FRICS designations, indicates that an individual has completed the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence and is bound by RICS rules of conduct. For managing agents, having chartered surveyors within the team adds a layer of expertise in building pathology, valuation, and property law that can be invaluable when dealing with complex maintenance issues or lease interpretation questions.
If you are dissatisfied with the service provided by a RICS-regulated firm, you can raise a complaint through the RICS complaints handling process. RICS has the power to investigate complaints, impose sanctions, and in serious cases remove firms from the regulated scheme. This provides a level of consumer protection that is not available when dealing with unregulated agents. For more on complaints processes, see our Property Ombudsman guide.
TPI: The Property Institute
TPI, formerly known as ARMA (the Association of Residential Managing Agents), is a trade body representing managing agents in the residential leasehold sector. TPI membership indicates that a managing agent has committed to operating in accordance with the TPI membership standards and consumer charter, which set out expectations for transparency, competence, and service quality.
TPI offers a tiered accreditation framework. Firms that achieve the highest level of accreditation have undergone an independent audit of their management practices, financial controls, and compliance procedures. This audit process provides additional assurance beyond basic membership that the firm operates to a consistently high standard across all the blocks it manages.
The TPI consumer charter sets out what leaseholders should expect from a TPI member firm, including clear and transparent service charge accounting, responsive communication, competent building maintenance management, and a formal complaints procedure. If a TPI member firm fails to meet these standards, leaseholders can raise concerns through TPI's own complaints process.
When evaluating a managing agent, look for TPI membership as one of several indicators of professional standards. While TPI membership alone does not guarantee quality, it does indicate that the firm has voluntarily committed to a framework of accountability that goes beyond the legal minimum. For guidance on choosing the right agent, see our guide to switching your managing agent.
Other Professional Standards and Accreditations
Beyond IRPM, RICS, and TPI memberships, there are several other professional standards and accreditations that leaseholders should look for when assessing the competence of their managing agent. These standards cover essential areas of consumer protection, financial security, and regulatory compliance that are fundamental to responsible block management.
- Property Ombudsman or Property Redress Scheme membership - all managing agents in England must belong to a government-approved property redress scheme, providing leaseholders with a free, independent complaints resolution service
- Client Money Protection - a legal requirement since April 2019 for all agents holding client money, providing insurance cover to protect leaseholder service charge funds in the event of agent default or mishandling
- Professional indemnity insurance - covers the managing agent against claims arising from professional negligence, errors, or omissions in the management of your block, providing financial protection for leaseholders if the agent makes a costly mistake
- GDPR compliance - managing agents handle significant amounts of personal data belonging to leaseholders and residents, and must comply with data protection legislation including maintaining appropriate data security measures and privacy policies
- Health and safety accreditations - competent managing agents should hold or work with contractors who hold relevant health and safety accreditations, particularly for fire safety, electrical testing, asbestos management, and legionella risk assessment
At Block, we hold all of the above accreditations and maintain comprehensive professional standards across every aspect of our service. For directors of right to manage companies and management company directors, understanding these accreditations is essential when appointing or reviewing your managing agent.
Frequently Asked Questions About Block Management Qualifications
Do property managers need qualifications in the UK?
There is currently no legal requirement for property managers to hold formal qualifications in the UK. The property management industry remains largely unregulated, meaning anyone can set up as a managing agent without professional training or accreditation. However, the government has signalled its intention to move toward mandatory regulation, and many industry bodies already require their members to meet minimum competency standards. Choosing a managing agent with recognised qualifications such as IRPM membership or RICS regulation provides significantly greater assurance that your block will be managed to a professional standard.
What is IRPM accreditation?
IRPM accreditation refers to membership of the Institute of Residential Property Management, the leading professional body dedicated exclusively to residential block management in the UK. IRPM offers tiered membership levels including Associate, Member, and Fellow, each requiring increasing levels of experience and competence. Members must adhere to the IRPM code of practice, complete ongoing continuing professional development, and demonstrate their commitment to professional standards. IRPM accreditation is widely regarded as the gold standard qualification for property managers working in the block management sector.
Should I choose a RICS-regulated managing agent?
Choosing a RICS-regulated managing agent provides strong consumer protection. RICS-regulated firms must comply with the RICS Residential Management Code, which sets out detailed standards for service charge administration, communication with leaseholders, maintenance management, and financial reporting. RICS regulation also provides access to an independent complaints handling process if you are dissatisfied with the service provided. While not all competent managing agents are RICS-regulated, RICS regulation is a reliable indicator of professional standards and accountability.
What is Client Money Protection?
Client Money Protection is a legal requirement for all property agents in England who hold client money, including managing agents who collect service charges on behalf of leaseholders. Since April 2019, managing agents must belong to an approved Client Money Protection scheme, which provides insurance cover to protect leaseholder funds in the event that the agent misappropriates or mishandles the money. You should always verify that your managing agent holds a valid Client Money Protection certificate and ask to see evidence of their membership.
How do I check if my managing agent is qualified?
You can check whether your managing agent holds professional qualifications by searching the public registers maintained by the relevant professional bodies. The IRPM maintains a register of individual members on its website. RICS publishes a directory of regulated firms. TPI, formerly ARMA, lists its member firms and their accreditation status. You can also ask your managing agent directly for evidence of their qualifications, Client Money Protection certificate, professional indemnity insurance, and membership of a government-approved property redress scheme.
What happens if my managing agent is not qualified?
If your managing agent does not hold any professional qualifications or memberships, you have limited recourse if things go wrong. Unqualified agents are not bound by professional codes of practice, are not subject to disciplinary procedures by a professional body, and may not carry adequate insurance. If you are concerned about the competence or conduct of an unqualified managing agent, you can raise your concerns with the property redress scheme they are registered with, or contact your local trading standards office. Leaseholders may also wish to explore exercising the right to manage to take control of the appointment of their managing agent.
Choose a Qualified Managing Agent for Your Block
Whether you are a leaseholder checking your current agent's property management qualifications, a director looking to switch managing agent to a fully accredited firm, or a right to manage company appointing a managing agent for the first time, Block Management Company is here to help. Our team holds IRPM and RICS qualifications, and we operate to the highest professional standards in block management. Contact us for free, no-obligation advice about your leaseholder rights.