Housing Management Foundations

The Housing Management Foundations Programme is a 12-month professional development programme delivered through the Level 3 Housing and Property Management Apprenticeship (ST0234).

It develops practical housing knowledge, tenancy management, resident engagement, housing law, safeguarding, professional conduct and management foundations. Learners apply their skills in the workplace while working towards a nationally recognised housing apprenticeship and eligibility for professional recognition through the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH).

The programme is suitable for housing officers, neighbourhood officers, tenancy officers, lettings and allocations teams, housing support workers, resident services colleagues and aspiring housing managers.

It is relevant to employees in housing associations, local authorities and other housing or property management organisations. Learners do not need existing management responsibility. 

On successful completion, learners achieve the Level 3 Housing and Property Management Apprenticeship and become eligible to apply for CIH Certified Practitioner membership using their apprenticeship certificate. The apprenticeship also provides routes to ARLA Propertymark Member level and The Property Institute (TPI) Associate level, subject to the relevant professional body's requirements.

FTL additionally includes Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals certification and Institute of Leadership accreditation. Professional memberships require separate applications and are not awarded automatically.

The programme develops housing knowledge, professional behaviour and skills relevant to the Competence and Conduct Standard for social housing in England, which came into force on 1 October 2026. However, Level 3 does not meet the specific Level 4 qualification requirement for relevant Senior Housing Managers.

For colleagues in roles subject to that higher-level requirement, FTL offers the Level 4 Senior Housing Manager Programme, delivered through the Senior Housing and Property Management Apprenticeship. Whether a qualification requirement applies depends on the individual's responsibilities and the statutory definitions.

The programme builds skills that housing officers and tenancy management teams use every day.

These include communicating effectively with residents, managing tenancy issues, handling complaints, recognising vulnerability, understanding housing regulation and working with repairs, neighbourhood and support services. Learners also strengthen professional judgement, organisation, teamwork and problem-solving to improve service quality, resident satisfaction and tenancy sustainment.

Yes. The Level 3 Housing Management Foundations curriculum covers landlord and tenant law, housing services, professional conduct, safeguarding, vulnerability, housing safety and resident responsibilities.

Learners develop the judgement needed to apply policies and regulations appropriately, handle sensitive situations and work effectively with colleagues and partners. The programme connects this knowledge to practical housing cases, resident interactions and everyday operational decisions.

Yes. Digital and artificial intelligence skills are integrated into the programme to help learners use workplace systems, manage information, support housing service workflows and improve productivity.

Examples include analysing housing service information, preparing communications and identifying opportunities to improve processes. Learners also develop responsible AI judgement, including data protection, checking AI-generated outputs and maintaining appropriate human oversight.

Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals certification is included. No coding experience is required.

FTL's Housing Management Foundations Programme is designed to run over 12 months, with approximately four hours of protected learning time each week.

It combines online learning, monthly workplace missions, interactive events, peer study groups and regular one-to-one coaching. Learners use what they learn in the flow of their work, applying new skills to resident interactions, tenancy issues, service challenges and everyday responsibilities.

Yes. The Level 3 Housing and Property Management Apprenticeship has a maximum funding band of £7,000.

Eligible levy-paying employers can use apprenticeship levy funds towards the programme, subject to the applicable funding rules. The programme provides structured professional development and a recognised apprenticeship qualification without personal training costs for eligible employees. Funding for non-levy employers depends on the applicable government funding arrangements.

Yes. The Level 3 Housing Management Foundations Programme provides a recognised foundation for progression towards specialist, supervisory and management responsibilities in housing. Successful learners can apply for CIH Certified Practitioner membership, subject to CIH's requirements.

Colleagues progressing into senior housing management may also consider FTL's Level 4 Senior Housing Manager Programme. This develops advanced housing management knowledge, service leadership, performance, compliance and risk capability, with a qualification pathway relevant to the statutory Competence and Conduct requirements for senior housing managers.