The Housing Academy are pleased to announce that we offer top-up units to provide an option for learners with partially compliant qualifications towards the competence and conduct regulatory requirements.

The top-up units will enable these learners to complete accredited training to cover key skills and knowledge in areas that may be missing from previously achieved qualifications and bridge any knowledge or skills gaps. Learners must be able to identify these gaps before registering for any of the units.

How to identify your skills gaps

  • Review your existing qualifications: If you have existing qualifications in related subjects, work with your employer to compare your current qualification(s) against the requirements. This will help you identify if you have any missing content. 
  • Check your unit transcript: Your certificate should include a transcript listing the units you completed, giving an overview of your learning. 
  • Request further details if needed: The awarding organisation you studied with can provide the full qualification specification to help clarify the content if needed. 
  • Top up where necessary: If you and your employer identify that your qualification is partially compliant, you can register for one or more top-up units to address any gaps through accredited training. 
  • Refer to government guidance: More information about topping up and partially compliant qualifications can be found in the government policy document. 
  • Act within the timeframe: All top-up learning must be completed before the end of the government set transition period. 

If you register for top-up units you will only gain unit certificates. You must register for the full qualification to gain the full certificate.

Top-up units cannot be accumulated to claim a full qualification certificate. If the learner needs to complete several top-up units, it may be more beneficial for them to work towards the full qualification.

When the units have been identified, learners can only register for a maximum of two units with the Housing Academy.

The Housing Academy offer these top up units 'online' with a monthly opening for learners that wish to enrol.

Preparing for the competency and conduct regulatory requirement

The Housing Academy are running a training course to support learners and organisations in exploring how to carry out skill scans and use templates for workforce development planning. Including support on how to evidence compliance to the regulator, not just through processes but also through outcomes.

View the training course

Available top-up units

The developed top-up units cover key subjects where you may need to complete additional learning, including:

Level four

Housing law and regulation

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Housing law and regulation

In this unit, you will cover the following:

  • The legal framework in a housing context
  • Key tenant and landlord legislation and its application in practice
  • The regulation that applies to the housing sector.
Apply now
Level four

Housing policy

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Housing policy

In this unit, you will cover the following:

  • The historical development of national housing policy
  • How current national housing policy is developed
  • How housing policy impacts on practice.
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Level four

Customer focus in housing

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Customer focus in housing

In this unit, you will cover the following:

  • The principles of effective customer service in housing
  • How to improve the customer experience
  • The importance of equality diversity and inclusion for housing organisations and their customers
  • The role of housing in supporting customers experiencing vulnerability.
Apply now
Level four

Law, policy and regulation for repairs and maintenance

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Law, policy and regulation for repairs and maintenance

In this unit, you will cover the following:

  • Understand the legislative framework for the country in which you work
  • Understand key legislation relating to repairs and maintenance
  • Understand the remedies that are available to resolve repairs and maintenance related issues.
Apply now
Level four

Professionalism in housing

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Professionalism in housing

In this unit, you will cover the following:

  • What professionalism means in a housing context
  • Professional practice and professional standards
  • The importance of professional judgment and reflective practice in a housing context
  • Being able to manage own professional development.
Apply now
Level five

Ethical practice in housing

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Ethical practice in housing

In this unit, you will cover the following:

  • Theories of ethical practice
  • How ethical practices apply to housing organisations and the impact on housing customers
  • How ethical practices apply to a leader or manager in housing.
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Level five

Leadership and management in housing

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Leadership and management in housing

In this unit, you will cover the following:

  • The relationship between management and leadership
  • How leadership styles impact on the vision and operation of the housing organisation
  • How leadership and management can be evaluated.
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Level five

Strategic and business planning for housing

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Strategic and business planning for housing

In this unit, you will cover the following:

  • The role, purpose and complexity of a housing organisation
  • Strategic development, strategic thinking and strategic planning, in housing organisations
  • Developing a vision for a housing organisation
  • Being able to create and implement a strategic business plan.
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Level five

Housing in context

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Housing in context

In this unit, you will cover the following:

  • Theoretical discourse and comparative housing studies
  • The historical development of housing policy
  • The social, cultural, political and economic context of housing policy
  • The law in relation to housing policy
  • Being able to make a case for future trends in one aspect of housing policy.
Apply now
Level five

Managing partner relationships in housing

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Managing partner relationships in housing

In this unit, you will cover the following:

  • How to work with a variety of partners involved in the delivery of housing services
  • The principles of contract management in the delivery of a housing service.
Apply now
Level five

Customer focused housing services and communication

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Customer focused housing services and communication

In this unit, you will cover the following:

  • How to provide inclusive housing services that meet the diverse and changing needs of housing customers
  • The impact of the diversification of housing services on landlords and customers
  • How to communicate with housing customers.
Apply now

If you need a number of top-up units it may be worth considering a full level four or five qualification

What does this mean for you? 

  • Save time and money: If you already hold a qualification that meets some of the requirements, you won’t need to complete another housing qualification. 
  • Confidence in quality: The Housing Academy are an approved study centre offering qualifications that are regulated by Ofqual through the CIH Awarding Organisation, meaning all our units meet regulatory requirements. 
  • Experienced delivery: Units are delivered by the Housing Academy as an approved CIH study centre with expertise in teaching and assessing at levels four and five. 
  • Recognition of achievement: Upon completion, you’ll receive a unit certificate to show your achievement and commitment to professional development. 

Completion of one of these units could be used as accredited training to bridge learning gaps for housing professionals who are in scope of requiring a regulated qualification under the Regulator of Social Housing’s competence and conduct requirements and hold a partially compliant qualification. 

For more information on partially compliant qualifications, and top-up learning during the transition period please see the competence and conduct policy statement, particularly Section 3.6 and 4.1 - 4.2. 

Ready to apply?

Apply in just 3–5 minutes using our online form. No payment is taken at this stage—we’ll review your application and contact you to confirm details and arrange payment.

Apply online
Not sure which unit to choose?
If you’d like to learn more or speak with a member of our team, we’re here to help. We can guide you through your options and next steps.
Level 4 & 5 qualifications
If you’re looking to complete multiple top-up units, a full Level 4 or Level 5 qualification could be the right choice.
Preparing for regulatory requirements
Our training course guides you through skills assessment, workforce planning, and meeting regulatory requirements.