Rightmove launches new agency qualification

Rightmove has unveiled details of a new qualification for agents.

Sales and lettings agents can now sign up to register their interest in the portal’s Level 3 Certificate for Estate and Letting Agents (CELA).

The new qualification, which will be regulated by Ofqual, aims to help more agents have easier access to professional training and is on track to launch by the end of the year. 

The course has been specifically designed ahead of potential regulations that the government may bring in based on the Regulation of Property Agents report.

The training will be free as part of an agent’s Rightmove membership and delivered by a group of renowned industry experts. 

Following over 120 hours of free training, agents will then be able to sit an independently adjudicated exam through awarding organisation ABBE for a fee of £215 (plus VAT) payable to them, to be awarded with the qualification. 

The qualification is designed for both estate and lettings agents, with the syllabus covering topics including legislation and codes of practice, generating opportunities, delivering exceptional service and property marketing. 

The free training towards the qualification will be delivered online and on-demand so agents can study at their own pace. The content will be produced to suit all learning styles, including video, an accessible digital handbook and a simple user interface. 

Agents can register their details on the new qualification landing page on the Rightmove Hub.

Many of the industry’s leading experts and trainers have contributed to the content for the Certificate for Estate and Letting Agents. 

• Rebecca Marsh, of The Property Ombudsman and former Chief Ombudsman at the Legal Ombudsman
• Josh Phegan, internationally renowned coach of new, emerging and high-performance agents
• David Cox, Rightmove’s Legal & Compliance Director and lettings legislation expert 
• Richard Rawlings, one of the UK’s best-known and innovative estate agency trainers 
• Susie Crolla, Chief Executive of the Guild of Letting & Management
• Dr. David Smith, property law expert and Partner at JMW Solicitors
• Frank Webster, industry leader, advisor, and former vice-chairman of Finders Keepers
• Peter Ambrose, founder of conveyancing firm The Partnership
• Alex Stretton, founder of Elements Property, who partner with estate and letting agents to edit photos and have enhanced over 1.1 million property photos to date
• Michael Hare, a previous partner in two agency practices
• Lisa Gray, Rightmove’s Webinar Manager and property marketing expert with over 14 years of experience in agency training 
• Emma Atkinson, Rightmove’s Director of People Development with 20 years of experience in developing talent

Rightmove’s head of education Jason Charles said: “Agents can now sign up to be the first to have access to our new education qualification which we’re on track to launch before the end of the year. 

“Our comprehensive syllabus covering both sales and lettings features content from some of the industry’s most influential educators, so that agents have access to the highest quality training for free. Agents can also head over to the new landing page for more information and answers to questions they might have about the new qualification.”