Housing Management Qualifications

[Admin Station]

The Association is working with MHCLG concerning the need under the Social Housing Bill for RSLs to hold a formal qualification for both strategic and delivery of clerking services. We are seeking exemption for almshouses so that trustees will be exempt. We have made a strong case to the development team at MHCLG that a “de-minimus” scale needs to be considered for exemption . This is work in progress and we hope to be able to report further shortly.

The Almshouse Association

[emmapannell]

I asked almshouse association for an update on this today and Susan Brooks replied saying that Nick is still working on this and will update us all when there is any news.

[Nick Phillips]

Dear all,
Yesterday I got an answer to part of our question. The MHCLG team have been seeking guidance from the new Gov.
What we know is: The qualification requirement as proposed would only affect Registered Providers.
The current Gov is reviewing the feedback from the MHCLG team
I have continued to make the case that the impact of this qualification will be disproportionate on small charities particularly and they should be exempt at a de minimis number of dwellings.

I will continue to put pressure on ministers to review their proposal as it would place an unreasonable requirement on staff and trustees of small charities.
The trouble is that once Registered, ministers see all as one with the huge Housing Associations. We are working to amend that view. Do let me know if you have any further questions on this and I will let you know as soon as I hear anything further. Nick

[Nick Phillips]

Hi Paul

I can understand your concern. I have kept the forum updated as far as I can (below from a couple of weeks ago) but there may be questions that are not obvious so do feel free to contact me or Julian directly at TAA.
Regards
Nick

Dear all,
Yesterday I got an answer to part of our question. The MHCLG team have been seeking guidance from the new Gov.
What we know is: The qualification requirement as proposed would only affect Registered Providers.
The current Gov is reviewing the feedback from the MHCLG team
I have continued to make the case that the impact of this qualification will be disproportionate on small charities particularly and they should be exempt at a de minimis number of dwellings.

I will continue to put pressure on ministers to review their proposal as it would place an unreasonable requirement on staff and trustees of small charities.
The trouble is that once Registered, ministers see all as one with the huge Housing Associations. We are working to amend that view. Do let me know if you have any further questions on this and I will let you know as soon as I hear anything further. Nick

[Tina LL]

Hi Nick,

Can you ask if the qualification for smaller providers could be completed on a modular basis (ie pay for a module at a time until the requisite number of module have been completed) or the current year long courses could be completed over 2 years rather than 1 year?

Do we know if the level 5 applies to both Clerks and Trustees?

(I am dreading starting the level 5 course. The level 4 course impacted on the quality of my work last year for the charity and I wouldn’t want to be working at the same pace again given likely inspections from the Regulator for Social Housing on the cards)

Tina

[neilmclean]

As a small provider, with ten units and a volunteer Clerk, we have decided to re-register with the Housing Ombudsman. We are not a Registered Provider and do not consider the benefits of registering merit the resource required to attain compliance.

[clerk@westerhamalmshousecharity.org]

My issue is that we seem to be a Mandatory Member of the Housing Ombudsman- a grant taken in the 1990’s required the Almshouses to be Registered Providers. So even though the loan/grant was paid off, and they were de-registered as providers, we still appear to be mandatory members. But with 17 Almshouses and a very part-time clerk, the requirements of this level of qualification would not make practical sense in terms of cost.

[Euan Kennedy]

It is high time that we heard from our Chief Executive on what happened at his meeting with the MHCLG
which was to take place in early November. I will write to the AA.
Euan Kennedy

[Nick Phillips]

Hi Euan
Sorry to say as from 2 weeks ago still no news! I have been in regular contact with the team briefing the ministers – but the deadlines for announcing the outcome have all been missed at the beginning of the month a notice appeared in Government updates saying an announcement was imminent. Still nothing. Our case for proportionality and practicality has been made. I will let everyone know as soon as I hear.
Regards
Nick

[Karren Piper]

Hi All,

I am keen to make contact with anyone who has undertaken the Level 4 or 5 Housing qualification please. Here are my contact details:

The Mills Charity 01728 685031 office@millscharity.co.uk

Many thanks,
Karren

[alicemorrey@almshouses.org]

Dear all

We are continuing to monitor for updates but the latest announcement in regards to qualifications can in a ministerial statement by Matthew Pennycook at the beginning of July (https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2025-07-02/hcws771).

He said: ‘I am also confirming today that we will direct the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) this autumn to set new standards for the Competence and Conduct of staff who work in social housing. The new requirements will improve professionalism within the sector, ensuring tenants receive a good service and are always listened to and treated with respect and dignity. The new Competence and Conduct Standard will come into force in October 2026. There will be a transition period after this date giving providers additional time to comply with qualification requirements for senior housing managers and executives. Larger registered providers that own 1,000 or more units of social housing will have three years, and smaller providers that own less than 1,000 units will have four years.’

We (TAA) are continuing to engage with MHCLG and are continuing to encourage Government to consider exemptions for trustees and micro charities. Please do get in touch if I (or any of the team) can be of any more help.

Kind regards,

Alice Morrey
Policy & Engagement Manager (TAA)

[office@fmc2010.org.uk]

Hi Alice

Please can you advise what is meant by a micro charity? We have 69 dwellings – I suspect we’re not going to fall within the definition of a micro charity.

If so, this would mean we wouldn’t be exempt from this requirement. Obtaining this qualification would fall to me. I’m at a loss to understand how I’m expected to study for this qualification and still do my full-time job, without employing additional staff, which would obviously come at a cost to the Charity.

I’m quite concerned

Carolyn

[Sian Brockhurst]

Our charity is a Registered Provider and has thirteen properties which were refurbished in 2011, partly with a grant from the then HCA.
I have Clerked for the charity for seventeen years in a self employed capacity so I am concerned as to where I stand with regard to the new qualifications.
I am too ‘long in the tooth’ to consider taking such a qualification, and fear that any Clerks who replace me in the future may use the opportunity to obtain the qualification, which obviously would be funded by the charity, and to springboard themselves into a better paid position in a larger organisation.
This really would leave the charity in a difficult position long term.
We could deregister as an RP but we are very worried about the possibility of having to repay our original grant.
I’d appreciate hearing from any members in a similar situation. Thank you, Sian

[alicemorrey@almshouses.org]

Hi Carolyn

Thank you for your message. We absolutely understand – and we are fighting so hard on your behalf. We are continuing to advocate on the behalf of so many charities like yourselves and will continue to press MHCLG to publish clarifications on the qualifications required. We have meetings set up in the coming weeks so will take your concerns to the team and will continue to work with the team to define micro charities and other ways to relieve the burden on charities like yourselves. If you would like to talk further, please do email me: alicemorrey@almshouses.org or call the office.

Kind regards
Alice
Policy & Engagement Manager (TAA)

[Tina LL]

Having spent last year completing the level 4 qualification I would recommend that small registered providers where financially affordable get some extra admin help whilst their clerks and scheme managers complete the required qualifications.

[Author]

Posts