Rightmove launches major updates to its agent qualification CELA
- Rightmove’s Level 3 Certificate for Estate and Letting Agents (CELA) will include a new module on Renters’ Rights from April, helping agents to get Renters’ Rights ready before May
- The Level 3 Certificate for Estate and Letting Agents is included as standard within all Rightmove memberships, with only a fee to the exam board to pay when agents are ready to take their exam
- Rightmove is also launching new routes to qualification later this year to support more agents in getting qualified. New sales and lettings only options will launch for agents in the Rightmove Hub
- The government recently closed a consultation into proposed home-moving reforms, including mandatory agent qualifications. CELA was created in response to agents asking to get ahead of any potential changes
- In 2025, almost 10,000 agents enrolled to get their Level 3 Certificate for Estate and Letting Agents and there were approximately 60,000 registered users of the Rightmove Hub
Rightmove is launching major updates to its agent qualification, the Level 3 Certificate for Estate and Letting Agents (CELA).
CELA is included as standard within all Rightmove memberships. The only fee is paid to ABBE, the independent exam board, when agents are ready to take their exam.
From March, a new module on the Renters’ Rights Act will be included within the CELA qualification, helping agents to get Renters’ Rights ready before the act comes into effect from the 1st May 2026.
The new module includes a comprehensive overview of the Renters’ Rights Act for agents including:
- Understanding periodic tenancies
- Rental bidding and rent in advance
- Section 13 and rent increases
- Section 8 and grounds for possession
While the new module will go live within CELA from March, it is available now as a standalone training course to agents.
By including the Renters’ Rights Act as a module within the official CELA qualification, agents will be able to demonstrate to landlords that they have comprehensive expertise of the overall lettings industry and are up to date and ready to advise on the latest Renters’ Rights legislation.
In another major update, new routes to qualification with Rightmove are coming later this year to support more agents in getting qualified.
CELA is designed to cover both sales and lettings for agents, but new individual sales and lettings qualification routes are being developed alongside Propertymark. Further news will be shared later this year.
The government recently closed a consultation into proposed home-moving reforms, including the suggestion of mandatory agent qualifications.
With qualification high up on the government’s agenda and potential changes around the corner, CELA helps agents to get ahead with a recognised and comprehensive industry qualification. It also helps agents’ perception with home-movers. Rightmove research showed that:
- 65% of renters and 72% of homeowners say they would trust a qualified agent more
- 58% of renters and 41% of homeowners assume agents are already licensed
Rightmove has been supporting agents to get qualified within their membership since 2022. Last year, just under 10,000 agents enrolled to get their Level 3 Certificate for Estate and Letting Agents.
There were approximately 60,000 registered users of the Rightmove Hub, which contains other training modules, webinars and data insights for agents – all included within their Rightmove membership.
Jason Charles, Rightmove’s Head of Education 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.”
Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark comments: “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.”
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