Who's in scope
The requirements apply to paid senior housing managers and senior housing executives. To be in scope, managing the delivery of housing services must be the majority of their working time, or an important and substantial part of their role. They must also have been in the role for more than 12 months.
- Senior housing executives are part of senior management and play a significant role in decisions about how all or a substantial part of the housing is managed.
- Senior housing managers manage housing services day to day, with decision-making responsibility.
Unpaid volunteers are not in scope. In many almshouses and small co-ops, the people who run the housing are volunteers, so the qualification requirements may not apply at all.
What they need
| Role | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Senior housing manager | A level 4 qualification in housing management, or an equivalent or higher qualification |
| Senior housing executive | A level 5 qualification or a foundation degree in housing management, or an equivalent or higher qualification |
People who already hold an equivalent or higher qualification are treated as meeting the requirement. The government's policy statement lists which qualifications count.
By when
People must hold the right qualification, or be working towards one, by the end of a transition period. For providers with fewer than 1,000 homes it's 48 months from 1 October 2026, so October 2030. For larger providers it's 36 months, so October 2029.
Working towards
Someone counts as working towards a qualification if, for example, they've enrolled on a course and are making progress. The government's policy statement sets out the detailed conditions, including for people on leave or who have just finished a course.
Managing agents
If a managing agent provides all or most of your housing management services, the requirements apply to its senior managers too. You must take steps to make sure they meet them.
Questions
Do volunteer trustees need a housing qualification?
No. Unpaid volunteers are not in scope of the qualification requirements.
When do staff at a small provider need to be qualified by?
For providers with fewer than 1,000 homes, by October 2030. They must hold the right qualification, or be working towards one, by then.
Does it apply to our managing agent?
If the agent provides all or most of your housing management services, the requirements apply to its senior managers too.
Sources
This guide is general information, not legal advice.