Propertymark gives green light to free Rightmove training

Propertymark has recognised the Level 3 Certificate for Estate and Lettings Agents (CELA) offered by Rightmove.

Both Propertymark and its training arm Propertymark Qualifications acknowledge it as another route to meeting the requirements for ‘Member’ grade of Propertymark’s National Association of Estate Agents (MNAEA) and Association of Residential Letting Agents (MARLA).

Sales and letting agents who complete their free Rightmove training and pass the final exam to obtain their Level 3 certificate, will be able to apply for membership and, once accepted, use the relevant post-nominals after their name. 

The Level 3 certificate is the equivalent of an A-Level qualification.

A statement from Rightmove says that for agency owners, it is an opportunity to provide their team with training at no additional cost to their business, whilst elevating confidence within job roles, improving the team’s wider understanding of the property industry, and demonstrating excellence to potential vendors.

CELA has been written by a range of industry experts and contains an overview of the sales and lettings markets and skills to being a successful agent from understanding sales and lettings law, handling and progressing sales and rental enquiries, to generating new agency business.

Agents wanting to apply for any discipline of Propertymark member grade must be currently working in the property industry, and have a minimum of one year’s experience, alongside an approved Level 3 qualification.

CELA is awarded by the Awarding Body of the Built Environment, part of Birmingham City University, and regulated by the UK government’s Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). 

The training is free for all Rightmove member agents and available on the Rightmove Hub. To take the final exam for the Level 3 qualification following the free learning, there is an exam fee of £170 plus VAT which is payable to the awarding body ABBE.

It takes approximately three to six months for what Rightmove calls “an average agent” to make their way through the content and feel ready to take their exam, though this varies depending on their previous level of experience.

Nathan Emerson, Propertymark CEO comments: “Propertymark exists to drive and lead the highest standards of practice within agency. It’s our vision for the sector that all agents are regulated, qualified and professional. 

“Those working hard to provide an exceptional calibre on every level of their business, for the benefit of their customers, are welcome within the professional body. In turn, we are seeing that consumers now recognise that the Propertymark logo marks an agent they can trust.”