Commercial qualifications

Candidates are required to pass the four units listed below, they can be completed in any order. Once all four units have been passed, Propertymark Qualifications will provide certification for the full qualification.

Unit 1: The Role of the Property Professional

Unit code: CiPA01 | All pathways

This unit considers the role of the property professional and starts by considering the ethical issues faced by property professionals and the Code(s) of Practice they may be obliged to abide by.

It looks at a range of key legislation applicable to property agents and working effectively with IT within a property agency. Finally, elements of customer service including communication skills and how to handle customer complaints are considered.

This is a common unit for all nations and disciplines

Learning outcomes:

1. Understand professionalism in the role of a property agent
2. Understand key legislation applicable to all property agents
3. Understand how to work effectively with Information Technology (IT) within a property agency
4. Understand how to work effectively and professionally with clients and customers as a property agent

Unit 2: The Practice of a Property Professional

Unit code: CiPA02 | All pathways

This unit is about working in a property agency. It starts by considering a range of health, safety and security issues before switching to property types, basic building construction and building defects.

The unit covers the services found in properties and the problems that affect those services. Environmental issues, sustainable features and local environmental factors are included. The unit concludes with selling techniques, marketing of individual properties, and agents themselves.

This is a common unit for all nations and disciplines

Learning outcomes:

1. Understand health, safety and security in property agency
2. Understand basic property types and basic construction methods
3. Understand the provision of services and environmental considerations relating to properties
4. Understand the basic techniques for selling the services of a property agent
5. Understand marketing methods in property agency

Unit 3: General Law and Practice for Property Agents

Unit code: CiPA03 | England and Wales
Unit code: CiPA04 | Northern Ireland
Unit code: CiPA05 | Scotland

This unit provides an introduction to the general legal concepts relevant to the sale, letting and management of residential and commercial property and takes into account some of the specific issues that can arise.

There are three different versions of this unit that cover the geographical areas England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. They are common units across any nation pathways.

The unit you will study is determined by the nation you choose when registering.

Learning outcomes:

1. Understand the fundamental principles of the law of agency
2. Understand the fundamental principles of contract law
3. Understand the fundamental principles of land law
4. Understand the fundamental principles of town and country planning law
5. Understand the fundamental principles relating to the law of tort (England, Wales, Northern Ireland) or delict (Scotland)
6. Understand relevant principles of discrimination law
7. Understand the different methods available for handling complaints and dispute resolution

Unit 4: Commercial Property Practice

Unit code: CiPA11

This unit places emphasis on what is required to successfully practise as a commercial property agent. It develops an understanding of leases, licences and covenants before moving to look at how a tenancy can be terminated and renewed.

Knowledge is also developed on Heads of Terms, measurements, taxation, planning classes, rent arrears, repair and dilapidations, and licensing alongside other key legislation affecting the sector.

Learning outcomes:

1. Understand how to apply the distinction between a lease and a licence in the context of commercial property
2. Understand the distinction between express and implied covenants and their impact on the landlord–tenant relationship
3. Understand covenants within the lease relating to alienation
4. Understand how a tenancy can be terminated, both at common law and statute
5. Understand statutory protection afforded by Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 and a landlord’s grounds for possession
6. Understand the process for the renewal of a commercial lease
7. Understand the meaning of rent and its impact on the landlord and tenant relationship
8. Understand the process of conducting rent reviews on commercial property
9. Understand the principles relating to repair and dilapidations
10. Understand what is meant by Heads of Terms and what these contain
11. Understand how to measure different types of commercial property
12. Understand the market appraisal process
13. Understand the range and impact of taxation within the commercial property sector
14. Understand planning classes and licensing
15. Understand other legislation affecting commercial property

The structure of this qualification allows learners to deepen their expertise across different property sectors and geographical areas. Learners who complete the commercial pathway, for instance, can expand their skills by registering for the sales pathway and completing an additional unit to gain a second qualification. 

Property agency management qualifications

Those advancing into management roles can also move onto the Level 4 Certificate in Property Agency Management, building the leadership skills essential for career growth.

More info