Rightmove is introducing updates to its agent qualification, the Level 3 Certificate for Estate and Letting Agents (CELA).

CELA is included within all Rightmove memberships. Agents pay a separate fee to ABBE, the independent exam board, when they sit the exam.

From March, CELA will include a new module covering the Renters’ Rights Act, ahead of the legislation coming into force on 1 May 2026. The module covers areas including periodic tenancies, rental bidding and rent in advance, Section 13 rent increases, and Section 8 grounds for possession.

Although the module will be added to CELA in March, it is already available to agents as a standalone training course.

Rightmove said the addition of the Renters’ Rights Act module will allow agents to demonstrate knowledge of current lettings legislation when advising landlords.

Further changes to qualification routes are planned later this year. While CELA currently covers both sales and lettings, Rightmove is developing separate sales and lettings qualification routes in partnership with Propertymark. Further details are expected later in the year.

The update follows a recent government consultation on home-moving reforms, which included proposals around mandatory agent qualifications.

Rightmove said demand for qualifications is increasing. Its research found that 65 per cent of renters and 72 per cent of homeowners say they would place more trust in a qualified agent, while 58 per cent of renters and 41 per cent of homeowners assume agents are already licensed.

Rightmove has offered qualification support through its membership since 2022. Last year, just under 10,000 agents enrolled in the CELA qualification. Around 60,000 users are registered on the Rightmove Hub, which provides training, webinars and data resources as part of membership.

Jason Charles, Rightmove’s head of education, said: “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.”