Rightmove is rolling out major updates to its Level 3 Certificate for Estate and Letting Agents (CELA) and adding new content on the Renters’ Rights Act and expanding routes to qualification as regulation and professional standards move higher up the policy agenda.
From April, CELA will include a new dedicated module on Renters’ Rights, designed to help agents prepare for the legislation ahead of its expected implementation in May 2026.
The update is aimed at ensuring agents are able to advise landlords and tenants confidently on one of the biggest reforms to the private rented sector in a generation.
The Level 3 Certificate for Estate and Letting Agents is included as standard within all Rightmove memberships, with agents only paying a fee to the independent exam board, ABBE, when they are ready to sit the exam. Rightmove said this approach removes cost barriers while encouraging wider take-up across the industry.
PERIODIC TENANCIES
The new Renters’ Rights module will cover key elements of the legislation, including the move to periodic tenancies, restrictions on rental bidding and rent in advance, changes to rent increases under Section 13, and revised grounds for possession under Section 8. While the module will be embedded within CELA from April, it is already available to agents as a standalone training course via the Rightmove Hub.
Alongside the legislative update, Rightmove is also developing new qualification routes to be launched later this year. While CELA currently covers both sales and lettings, separate sales-only and lettings-only routes are being developed in partnership with Propertymark, with further details expected in due course.
The changes come as the Government closes its consultation on proposed home-moving reforms, which included suggestions around mandatory agent qualifications. Rightmove said CELA was originally developed in response to agents wanting to get ahead of potential regulatory change and demonstrate professionalism to consumers.
CONSUMER CONFIDENCE
Jason Charles (main picture), Head of Education at Rightmove, says: “Qualifications ensure strong standards within the property industry, and better-qualified agents mean better information, stronger consumer confidence, and a more resilient UK property market.
“Becoming Rightmove Qualified is a way agents can highlight their expertise to potential home-movers, and gives agency owners the assurance that their staff are up to date on the latest legislation. The government’s home-moving reform agenda suggests mandatory qualifications may be round the corner.
“Our qualifications support the proactive agents who want to get qualified now, ahead of potential changes.”
LEGISLATIVE DEMANDS
Nathan Emerson, chief executive of Propertymark, adds: “As the housing sector evolves with ever growing legislative demand, it is important the industry continues to embrace the true value in fully professionalising all services offered.
“Qualifications and continued professional development are key factors to uplifting industry perception and hold the potential for delivering enhanced levels of consumer trust and satisfaction.
“We are excited to work with Rightmove with the common ambition to raise standards and promote new levels of industry excellence.”
Rightmove says almost 10,000 agents enrolled for CELA in 2025, with around 60,000 registered users now accessing training, insights and webinars through the Rightmove Hub.
