Successful completion of this qualification will prepare you for the Level 4 Certificate in Housing, and is the first step on the route towards CIH Chartered Membership CIHCM.

Experience requirements:

• Learners must be working in housing or housing related industry in a frontline capacity.
• To be eligible you must have completed either:
  • CIH Level 2 Certificate in Housing Practice
  • an equivalent Level 2 or higher qualification.

If you have not completed the level 2 or equivalent qualifications you may still be eligible but you must be working in housing or housing related industry.

Learners must also meet the following criteria:

• Are 18+ (please note that this is a Housing Academy stipulation for all learners)
• Are confident in using IT and have access to a computer.
• Have the potential and opportunity to gain the qualification.
• Are aware that this qualification will be assignment based as the Housing Academy’s chosen method of assessment and that other Centres may be approved for other assessment methodologies.
• Are aware that they must demonstrate an understanding of all the Learning Outcomes to achieve each unit of study within the qualification.

Level 3 descriptors

Please read the following level 3 descriptors that indicate the level you must be working at to achieve the qualification and are confident that you are able to meet these requirements:

Knowledge descriptor

• You have factual, procedural, and theoretical knowledge and understanding of a subject or field of work to complete tasks and address problems that while well-defines, may be complex and non-routine.
• You can interpret and evaluate relevant information and ideas
• You are aware of different perspectives or approaches within the area of study or work.

Skills descriptor

• You can identify, select and use appropriate cognitive and practical skills, methods and procedures to address problems that while well-defined, may be complex and non-routine.
• You can use appropriate investigation to inform actions.
• You can review how effective methods and actions have been.

These five mandatory units provide essential underpinning knowledge for working in housing organisations 

The housing system

• Know the different ways that individuals access the housing market
• Understand the role of the main providers of housing
• Understand the features of the housing market
• Understand how the government intervenes in the housing system

Professional practice skills for housing

• Understand the key skills, knowledge and behaviours required for the housing professional
• Understand ethics in the context of professional practice in housing
• Understand equality, diversity and inclusion in the context of professional practice in housing
• Be able to assess own professional performance and development

Occupancy, tenure and lettings

• Understand types of occupancy and tenure
• Understand different types of tenancy
• Understand different approaches to allocation and lettings

 Rental income management

• Understand the importance of rental income management
• Understand good practice in effective income management
• Understand the legal framework for arrears management

Dealing with anti-social behaviour in housing

• Understand what anti-social behaviour means in a housing context
• Understand the statutory and non-statutory interventions available to tackle anti-social behaviour
• Understand approaches to tackling and preventing anti-social behaviour in housing

Delivery of housing services

• Know the main types of housing providers nationally and the services they deliver
• Know the agencies that work with housing providers to deliver services
• Understand how housing providers are regulated
• Understand how housing providers can improve the services they deliver

Involving housing service users

• Understand why service user involvement is important in a range of housing-related settings
• Understand the opportunities for service user involvement in housing
• Understand how to maximise the impact of service user involvement in a specific context

Sustainable communities

• Understand what a sustainable community is
• Understand the political, social and economic context of sustainable communities
• Understand how sustainable communities can be developed

Please note: Option two units are not available for online plus learners.

Housing repairs and maintenance services

• Understand the approaches to delivering a responsive repairs service.
• Understand the approaches to delivering long term asset management programmes.
• Understand the relationship between the client and contractor roles in the delivery of repairs.

Customer service in housing

• Understand the role of customer service in housing
• Understand how to communicate effectively with the housing customer
• Understand the role of customer feedback in housing

Managing leasehold housing services

• Know the legal and regulatory framework for leasehold housing management.
• Understand the features of the leasehold housing sector.
• Know how to consult on, and calculate leasehold housing service charges.

Please note: Option three units are not available for online plus learners.

Housing repairs and maintenance services

• Understand the approaches to delivering a responsive repairs service.
• Understand the approaches to delivering long term asset management programmes.
• Understand the relationship between the client and contractor roles in the delivery of repairs.

Customer service in housing

• Understand the role of customer service in housing
• Understand how to communicate effectively with the housing customer
• Understand the role of customer feedback in housing

Managing empty properties

• Understand the context for managing empty properties
• Understand how housing organisations manage empty properties

Individuals or purchasers (making the booking on an individual’s behalf) booking onto all courses are required to pay their full fees within seven days of receipt of the invoice or prior to the start date* of the course.

Payment can be made by credit or debit card.

Failure to complete payment prior to the start date may mean that your course date will need to be changed or services stopped.

*The start date is the day of the advertised closing date for applications.

If payment for fees is to be made by the individual’s organisation, a purchase order is required.

It is the individual’s responsibility to provide this to CIH at the time of booking so please ensure you have this to hand before you begin your application.