The Scottish property sector faces unprecedented change as the Housing (Scotland) Act, which received Royal Assent on 7th November 2025, will introduce sweeping reforms, including newly implemented Rent Control Areas, and give tenants a statutory right to request permission to keep a pet, which landlords must not unreasonably refuse.
Alongside this, the UK Government’s recent consultation on mandatory qualifications for property professionals signals a clear move towards professionalisation. Although letting agents in Scotland have had to study towards qualifications since 2014, the Scottish Government could follow suit and introduce its own legislation in the near future to ensure all property agents hold a qualification.
Propertymark has long championed higher standards, warning that agents who fail to upskill risk falling behind.
Level 3/SCQF Level 6 Certificate in Property Agency (CiPA) Certification Data Underscores the Urgency
Recent analysis of enrolments to training over the last six months to certificates awarded by the regulated awarding organisation, Propertymark Qualifications, shows that the average completion time is 59 days, with some learners finishing within two months.
Some learners pursuing multiple CiPA qualifications achieve the second one in less than two weeks, proving that progression is achievable quickly with the recognition of prior learning within the core units. The flexible learning route, offered by Propertymark Learning, supports the flexibility many agents require.
With reforms imminent, acting now is critical to ensure professional property agents are prepared for upcoming changes in Scotland. New tenancy rules and enforcement powers will demand robust knowledge, and unqualified agents risk reputational damage and financial penalties if they are not aware of existing and upcoming legislative changes.
Furthermore, accredited qualifications position agents as trusted experts in an unregulated market.
With CiPA’s online training and flexible scheduling of exams available almost 24 hours a day, seven days a week, agents really can personalise how they learn and how they factor in their assessments.
Gary Elliott, Head of Education at Propertymark, comments:
“The supportive pathways with this great qualification make access and progression easier to support achievement, and many agents are undertaking more than one qualification to support their wider industry knowledge to maintain the professional edge.
“With the vast array of support available at Propertymark Learning, including courses available on a diverse number of subjects, we have short courses to support all agents, no matter what stage of their career they are at.”
You can complete regulated qualifications now to future-proof your career.
If you are an agent on the next stage of your learning journey, you can book your next exam here: https://learnerportal.propertymark.co.uk/signin.
If you are looking to start your learning journey, you can find details here: https://www.propertymark.co.uk/careers-learning/qualifications/certificate-in-property-agency.html
As a member, you can ensure you stay up-to-date by engaging with Propertymark’s resources, and regardless of membership status, you can purchase places on courses or at conferences to keep up to date.
Courses: https://www.propertymark.co.uk/careers-learning/courses.html
Toolkit: https://www.propertymark.co.uk/membership/knowledge-hub.html
Conferences: https://www.propertymark.co.uk/careers-learning/conferences.html
