Sector bodies ask for longer transition to compulsory housing qualifications

Responding to a consultation on the qualifications that was launched in February, the CIH welcomed the introduction of the professional standard, but warned that it was “coming at a challenging time”, with “stretched capacity and resources” across the sector.

It recommended extending the transition period to three years, with a minimum of 50% of qualification enrolments beginning within the first 18 months of introduction.

“This would ensure a smoother, more manageable roll-out, enabling landlords to continue to focus on service delivery,” it said, as well as helping study centres to scale up their capacity.

In addition, a longer timeframe would help reduce the risk of senior professionals exiting the sector or retiring early, it said, or disincentivising skilled professionals in other sectors from moving into housing.

The CIH also called for more funding for local authorities to help them introduce the changes and said service providers that solely deliver repairs and maintenance for social landlords should be exempt from the standard.

The NHF said it wanted to ensure the new measures “do not negatively impact costs, retention and recruitment for the sector”.

It added that the changes proposed “are substantial, and need enough time for a transition period that allows the sector to adapt”.

A five-year transition period would allow costs to be spread over a longer period, and give the labour market and training providers time to adapt, the NHF said.

It pointed out that supported and smaller housing associations may have more staff members who require training, and asked the government to show extra consideration about how the standard would affect landlords with fewer than 1,000 homes.

It also asked for clarity on which existing qualifications could be “passported” under the new system, whether staff with “significant experience” can be fast-tracked, and whether staff in the final years of their careers can be exempted.

The NHF added: “We know the operating environment for housing associations is challenging and housing associations are already [facing] difficulties around staff recruitment and retention.

“We want to ensure the proposals are deliverable for housing associations, including smaller and supported housing providers, to ensure the best outcome for residents.”

Inside Housing understands the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is considering the responses to the consultation and will publish the government’s response in due course.