Government calls for mandatory property management qualifications and regulation of managing agents

In his recent statement about leasehold reforms, the Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook MP announced mandatory qualifications for property management professionals and likely regulation of property management firms. We welcome these measures as an important milestone toward raising standards and ensuring greater professionalism throughout the sector.

The detailed statement sets out the government’s commitment to wide-ranging leasehold reforms with the aim of providing homeowners with greater rights, powers and protections over their homes. In it, he states:   

“Managing agents play a key role in the maintenance of multi-occupancy buildings and freehold estates, and their importance will only increase as we transition toward a commonhold future, and so we are looking again at Lord Best’s 2019 report on regulating the property agent sector. As part of our response to that report I can confirm that we will strengthen regulation of managing agents to drive up the standard of their service. As a minimum, this should include mandatory professional qualifications which set a new basic standard that managing agents will be required to meet. We will consult on this matter next year.”

This statement is an important and long-overdue directive for our industry. We welcome the government’s measured approach to reform, which recognises the critical role professional property management plays in safeguarding and enhancing the lives of those who rely on us, especially in today's heightened regulatory environment.

At Rendall & Rittner, we’ve long supported measures that prioritise competence, accountability and the necessary safeguards, together with a resident-first approach. Not only are we are regulated by RICS and the FCA, but our accreditations from Investors in People, British Safety Council and The Property Institute reflect our commitment to these principles. We believe the Minister’s proposals align with the service values we uphold.

We remain committed to contributing to the consultation process and working alongside the sector to shape meaningful and lasting change.