IRPM and The Property Institute qualifications explained

What happened to IRPM and ARMA?

The Institute of Residential Property Management (IRPM) was the professional body for individual property managers. The Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA) stood for the managing agent firms. Their members voted to merge, and on 9 March 2022 both bodies came together as The Property Institute, usually called TPI. Andrew Bulmer, IRPM's former chief executive, became TPI's chief executive.

IRPM's role carries on through TPI's individual membership, with its exams and grades. The old letters have been renamed: TPI says MTPI was previously known as MIRPM. ARMA's job of vetting firms now sits under TPI Company membership. To join, a managing agent goes through a document-based accreditation, and members must meet TPI's Consumer Charter and Standards. That means holding service charge money properly, carrying professional indemnity insurance and belonging to an independent redress scheme.

The grades and the exams

You join as an Affiliate. Passing the Level 2 Foundation in Leasehold Management keeps you at Affiliate level, gives you no letters, and opens the way to Level 3. Passing Level 3 moves you up to Associate, and you can use ATPI. Passing Level 4 makes you a full Member, and you can use MTPI. TPI's Board awards Fellow (FTPI) at its discretion to Members with ten or more years of relevant experience who have made a significant contribution to the sector.

Levels 3 and 4 are accredited by Ofqual. Level 3 has thirteen modules covering law, finance, health and safety and building maintenance. It ends in a 90-minute exam held four times a year. Level 4 has six modules, including building technology, project management and staff management, with a two-and-a-half-hour exam held twice a year. Both exams are taken online with a remote invigilator, and the pass mark is 60%.

Who should take which level?

Level 2 is meant for new starters, assistant building managers, on-site staff and back-office people. There are no entry requirements. Level 3 suits working block managers who want a recognised standard, and ATPI is the grade many employers look for. Level 4 is for senior property managers who want full membership. TPI says 100% of block manager job adverts asked for a TPI qualification, based on Block Recruit's 2023 advert data.

TPI also runs other routes. There are Level 2 courses in Build to Rent, retirement development management and purpose-built student accommodation, plus a Level 4 in Build to Rent. Factors working in Scotland can take the Property Factoring Professional Diploma, which also leads to MTPI.

Is a qualification a legal requirement?

Not yet. In the July 2025 consultation, the government noted that anyone can currently practise as a managing agent and that there is no requirement for agents to hold a qualification. It consulted from 4 July to 26 September 2025 on making professional qualifications mandatory for managing agents in England. Its response on other leasehold measures said a separate response on qualifications would come in due course. For now, TPI qualifications are voluntary, although employers widely expect them.

Pay

United Kingdom (25th to 75th percentile)

£36,200–65,800

London

£42,600–77,400

South East

£37,600–68,300

North West

£34,600–62,900

North East

£32,800–59,600

Scotland

£34,000–61,900

Wales

£33,300–60,600

GBP a year, before tax. Based on the Office for National Statistics Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, April 2026 (provisional), for the wider property management group, adjusted to 2026 with a wage index. The regional figures are modelled. Seniority, portfolio size and holding ATPI or MTPI all affect where you sit in the range. Refer to the Block Management salary guide for figures from live adverts.

What you need

TPI individual membershipYou must be an individual member of TPI to study for its qualifications. New members pay a £99 application fee, which is not refundable.
Annual subscription (2026)Affiliate £120, Associate (ATPI) £185, Member (MTPI) £225 and Fellow (FTPI) £240. Joining between 1 October and 31 December costs half price, and that subscription runs to 31 March.
Level 2 Foundation£249 for the course and exam, with 12 months' access and three exam sittings. Level 2 exams can be taken on demand.
Level 3 Leasehold Management£449 for the course and one exam attempt, with 18 months' access. If you do not sit the exam within 18 months of buying the course, you pay an extra £110 to sit it. The optional exam preparation workshop costs £99.
Level 4 Leasehold Management£549 for the course and one exam attempt, with 24 months' access. A resit costs £120. The course is aimed at Associates who have passed Level 3.
CPDAffiliates, Associates and Members must all log 15 hours of continuing professional development with TPI each year.
Code of ConductAll individual members must agree to be bound by TPI's Code and the standards set out in its Rules.

Across the UK

England	Managing agents do not currently need a qualification. The government consulted in 2025 on making professional qualifications mandatory in England and has said it will respond separately.
Scotland	TPI offers the Property Factoring Professional Diploma for people working for factoring businesses. It sits on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework at Higher National Diploma level and leads to MTPI.
Wales	The 2025 consultation covered England and Wales, but the government described the qualification proposal as a first step in England. TPI's leasehold pathway is open to managers working in Wales.

How to get there

Month 1Join TPI as an AffiliatePay the £99 application fee and the Affiliate subscription. Start logging 15 hours of CPD a year.
Year 1Pass Level 2 FoundationFive online modules with an exam you can sit on demand, all completed within 12 months.
Year 1-2Pass Level 3 and become ATPIThirteen modules, then a 90-minute exam. Sittings run four times a year.
Year 2-4Pass Level 4 and become MTPISix modules, then a two-and-a-half-hour exam. Sittings run twice a year.
Year 10+Apply for FellowshipAwarded at the Board's discretion to Members with ten or more years' relevant experience and a clear contribution to the sector.

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Questions people ask

Is IRPM still a separate organisation?

No. IRPM merged with ARMA, and since 9 March 2022 both have operated as The Property Institute. Content that used to sit on irpm.org.uk is now part of TPI.

What replaced the MIRPM letters?

MTPI took their place. TPI says MTPI was previously known as MIRPM. You earn it by passing Level 4 Leasehold Management, Level 4 Build to Rent or the Scottish Property Factoring Professional Diploma.

What happened to ARMA accreditation for firms?

Managing agent firms now apply for TPI Company membership. This involves a document-based accreditation and agreeing to the Consumer Charter and Standards. Agents that have not yet traded for two years can join as Associates while they work towards full membership.

Can I skip Level 2 and start at Level 3?

TPI's Level 2 page says Affiliates must pass a Level 2 course and exam before moving up to Associate at Level 3. New starters should plan to begin at Level 2.

What is the exam pass mark?

For both the Level 3 and Level 4 leasehold exams, the pass mark is 60%. Each paper has a Part A worth 40 marks and a Part B where you choose three questions, each worth 20 marks.

Do I need a TPI qualification by law?

No. There is no legal requirement at present, although the government consulted in 2025 on making qualifications mandatory for managing agents in England. Employers often ask for TPI qualifications in job adverts anyway.

What are the IRPM and The Property Institute qualifications for block managers?