Chartered Institute of Housing

What Chartered Institute of Housing does

The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is the UK professional body for people working in housing, incorporated by Royal Charter in 1984 and operating as a registered charity (Nos. 244067 England & Wales; SC040324 Scotland) with education at the core of its charitable purpose. CIH serves individual housing professionals, housing organisations (associations, local authorities, providers), and housing learners, with members across 20 countries on five continents. Its offering is anchored on a four-tier membership framework (standard, certified practitioner, chartered CIHCM, fellowship FCIH) that confers professional designation, designatory letters, voting rights, and access to a code of conduct, mentoring, and CPD requirements (20 hours annually for chartered members).

CIH monetises through recurring annual membership subscriptions (£82-£418 depending on grade), one-time application and assessment fees for chartered pathways (Experienced Professional Route £180 + £800; Executive Route £60 + £1,150), training courses (£210-£340), regulated qualifications at Levels 2-5 (delivered through the wholly-owned CIH Housing Academy subsidiary and an approved study centre network including Leeds Beckett, Stirling, Huddersfield, London Metropolitan, and New College Durham), events and awards (notably the Welsh Housing Awards sponsored by Aico), publications (including the UK Housing Review), corporate membership packages, and apprenticeship end-point assessment. Distribution combines direct digital channels (cih.org, MyCIH portal, MyHousingAcademy LMS, Housing Jobs portal) with regional offices (Coventry HQ, Edinburgh for Scotland, CIH Cymru for Wales) and international outreach via country-tiered pricing.

Beyond commercial activities, CIH operates as a sector policy voice - submitting to consultations (e.g., Approved Document B: Fire Safety review in 2026), co-developing guidance with the Building Safety Alliance on golden thread requirements under the Building Safety Act 2022, and collaborating with the Construction Leadership Council, TILM, Housing Diversity Network, Tai Pawb, and PARN. The 2026 implementation of Competence and Conduct Requirements in social housing represents a significant tailwind, positioning CIH qualifications as an effective compliance prerequisite for sector managers.

Name

Chartered Institute of Housing

Legal name

Chartered Institute of Housing

Website

https://cih.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Chartered Institute of Housing is the UK professional body for housing, incorporated by Royal Charter in 1984 and operating as a registered charity. It offers four-tier membership, regulated qualifications (Levels 2-5), training, and policy advocacy to housing professionals and organisations across 20 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Housing Professional Membership Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (813920)

akta.pro primary industry

Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Accreditation Coordination, Recognition & Meta-Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAH), Real Estate, Appraisal & Mortgage (Agent/Broker CE, Appraiser CE) (EDAAALAI)

Keywords

• Professional housing body
• Housing membership services
• Housing qualifications
• Professional development
• Housing sector training

Headquarters

HQ city

Coventry

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Annual membership fees from individual housing professionals across four grades (standard, certified practitioner, chartered, fellowship). Fees are charged annually, most based on calendar year January-December.
2. Training and education services: CIH Housing Academy provides training courses (member price £210 +VAT, non-member £340 +VAT) and regulated qualifications at various levels (Level 2-5). Professional route applications (Executive Route £60 + £1150, Experienced Professional Route £180 + £800).
3. Events and conferences: Revenue from event attendance, exhibition space, sponsorship, and awards ceremonies including the Welsh Housing Awards and dinner events.
4. Publications: Sales of publications including the UK Housing Review, books, and other housing sector resources. Postage charges apply for UK (£4.80 per item) and international orders.
5. Qualification fees: Fees for regulated qualifications and end-point assessments. Regulated qualifications are not subject to VAT. Additional charges apply for re-sitting failed units.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Chartered Institute of Housing is the professional body for housing practitioners, providing chartered and graded membership across four tiers (standard, certified practitioner, chartered, fellowship), regulated housing qualifications at Levels 2-5, apprenticeships, training courses, events, awards, publications, and policy advocacy for the UK and international housing sector.

Product overview

Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) operates as a professional body offering a unified membership-based service centred on housing professional development. The core offering is CIH Membership spanning four grades (CIHM, Cert CIH, CIHCM, FCIH) which provides professional recognition, networking, events access, and resources. Supporting this are the CIH Housing Academy (delivering qualifications Levels 2-5, training courses, apprenticeships, and online/blended learning), CIH Events (conferences, webinars, award ceremonies), the Knowledge Hub (publications, blogs, podcasts), and member portals (MyCIH, MyHousingAcademy). Membership pathways include the standard qualification route, Experienced Professional Route, and Executive Route for chartered status. CIH also provides policy guidance including building safety resources developed with the Building Safety Alliance. The organisation is registered by Royal Charter (1984) and operates as a not-for-profit charity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CIH Membership Professional membership programme offering four grades providing recognition, networking, events access, CPD scheme (20 hours/year), mentoring, and resources for housing professionals.
• CIH Housing Academy Training provider offering regulated qualifications (Level 2-5), training courses, apprenticeships, end-point assessment, and online/blended learning delivery for housing professionals.
• CIH Level 2 Certificate in Housing Practice Entry-level qualification providing basic understanding of housing and skills necessary for housing-related activities.
• CIH Level 3 Certificate in Housing Practice Qualification enabling effective housing practice with deeper understanding of housing organisations and industry operations.
• CIH Level 4 Certificate in Housing Advanced qualification providing deeper technical knowledge in housing practice at management level for proficient housing professionals.
• CIH Level 5 Diploma in Housing Strategic-level qualification exploring ethical practice, leadership, strategic business planning, housing context, partnership management, and customer-focused services.
• Fellowship (FCIH) Most senior membership grade recognising experienced professionals with significant contribution to housing, assessed through leadership experience and sector impact; qualifies holders for CSCS professionally qualified person card.
• Chartered Membership (CIHCM) Hallmark membership demonstrating housing expertise and commitment to professional and ethical standards for experienced housing professionals.
• Experienced Professional Route (EPR) Fast-track experiential programme for senior housing professionals to achieve chartered status through reflective statement and panel interview; £180 non-refundable application fee plus £800 prior to interview, includes one year's free chartered membership on success.
• Executive Route Route for chief executives, directors, and strategic leaders to achieve CIHCM through reflective assessment and peer review presentation; £60 non-refundable application fee plus £1,150 prior to interview.
• Welsh Housing Awards 2026 Annual awards ceremony recognising excellence in housing across 18 categories including customer service, health and wellbeing, housing innovation, professionalism, preventing homelessness, tenant participation, equality and diversity, sustainability in Wales.
• UK Housing Review Annual comprehensive publication described as the sector's ultimate guide to housing, essential resource for housing professionals, leaders, learners, and policymakers across UK's public and private housing sectors.
• MyHousingAcademy Online learning management system for CIH qualifications and training courses with accessibility features including reading tools, styling options, and assistive technologies.
• MyCIH Member Portal Online member portal for managing membership, recording CPD hours, accessing profile, and booking training.
• Building Safety Golden Thread Guidance Comprehensive guidance developed with Building Safety Alliance on the golden thread - a core requirement under the Building Safety Act 2022 - providing a standardised approach to collection, maintenance, and accessibility of critical building safety information.

Quantifiable outcome

• Members must undertake at least 20 hours of CPD annually for chartered membership
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Building Safety AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2025CIH collaborated with the Building Safety Alliance, a cross-sector initiative uniting industry organisations, associations, and regulatory bodies, to develop comprehensive guidance on the golden thread - a core requirement under the Building Safety Act 2022. The guidance provides a standardised approach to collection, maintenance, and accessibility of critical building safety information, supporting accountable persons and housing providers to keep residents safe.
• AicocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAico is the sponsor for the CIH Welsh Housing Awards 2026. The awards recognise passion, skill and dedication in creating ground-breaking projects, sustainable homes and vital support to tenants, customers and communities across Wales.
• Centre for PartnershipcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCIH approved study centre delivering the GEM Programme through which Steph Wood, 2026 Learner of the Year winner, studied the CIH Level 4 Certificate in Housing.
• Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe CIH Learner of the Year winner (Steph Wood) has been nominated for the Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB) Learner of the Year award.
• Leeds Beckett UniversitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCIH validated postgraduate programme: MA Housing, Regeneration and Urban Management (also RTPI accredited). Delivered via blended learning, the course covers contemporary housing sector critiques, leadership, professional ethics, and tenant law.
• University of StirlingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCIH accredited postgraduate courses: PG Dip/MSc in Housing Studies (part-time working in housing) and PG Dip/MSc in Housing Studies (with internship). Delivered online with over two decades of distance learning experience, celebrating 45th anniversary.
• University of HuddersfieldcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCIH accredited Housing Leadership MSc (Distance Learning), designed in alignment with CIH professional standards. Fully online course starting January 2026, responding to professionalisation of housing following recent UK tragedies.
• London Metropolitan UniversitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCIH validated undergraduate programmes including BSc Community Development and Leadership (also accredited by English Standards Board for Community Work), BSc Health and Social Care (aligned to Skills for Health standards), and BSc Social Work (also accredited by Social Work England).
• New College DurhamcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCIH validated Foundation Degree in Housing and Communities (part-time) satisfying Senior Housing and Property Manager Apprenticeship Standard requirements. Also offers Level 4 Senior Apprenticeship Housing/Property Management CIH.
• The Institute of Leadership and Management (TILM)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCIH has partnered with TILM to offer exclusive joint membership deal to current CIH members, providing access to leadership support and development resources.
• Housing Diversity NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIH is a member of the Housing Diversity Network, gaining access to online self-assessment tools, webinars, video and audio resources, and other benefits for EDI improvement.
• Tai PawbminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIH is working with Tai Pawb in Wales on the Deeds not Words pledge around EDI, challenging organisations to make real their commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Construction Leadership CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIH collaboration on golden thread guidance builds on the Construction Leadership Council's golden thread framework, reflecting several years of expert input and voluntary collaboration through the Building Safety Alliance.
• PARNminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIH actively works with other professional bodies as part of PARN (Professional Associations Research Network), learning from their experiences and sharing good practice on EDI and professional standards.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Propertymark: UK professional body for property agents including those handling residential lettings and management. Propertymark's qualifications and membership in residential property create partial overlap with CIH's housing practice credentials, particularly for letting and management agents.

Direct peers

• The Property Institute (TPI): UK professional body for property professionals in the residential leasehold and block management sectors. TPI's chartered membership and CPD scheme directly parallel CIH's grade and continuing professional development structure for housing professionals.
• Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB): Royal Chartered professional body for construction and building management. CIOB's chartered membership and qualification framework parallels CIH's, and both serve overlapping audiences in housing development, asset management, and residential construction.
• Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI): Royal Chartered professional body for town planners, including those working in housing policy, development planning, and regeneration. RTPI's accredited postgraduate programmes overlap with CIH's university partners (e.g., Leeds Beckett RTPI-accredited MA in Housing, Regeneration and Urban Management).
• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS): Royal Chartered professional body for surveying, real estate, and built environment professionals. RICS competes directly with CIH for property and housing professionals seeking chartered status, overlapping on residential surveying, valuation, and housing management credentials.
• Institute of Residential Property Management (IRPM): UK professional body specifically for residential property managers, including block management, leasehold, and estate management. IRPM's residential focus and qualification offering overlap directly with CIH's housing practice and management credentials.

Broad incumbents

• Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE): Royal Chartered professional body for building services engineers. CIBSE overlaps with CIH on building safety, sustainability, and standards work in housing, particularly relevant given the Building Safety Act golden thread guidance CIH is publishing.
• Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH): Chartered body for health and safety professionals, including those working in housing provider organisations. IOSH shares the chartered-membership and CPD framework with CIH and competes for similar corporate training spend in housing and construction.
• Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA): Royal Chartered professional body for public finance professionals, many of whom work in local authority housing finance teams. CIPFA's qualification and membership model parallels CIH's and serves a partially overlapping local government audience.

Others

• National Housing Federation (NHF): Trade body representing housing associations in England. NHF overlaps with CIH on policy advocacy, events, and sector representation, but focuses on provider organisations rather than individual professional membership.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cihhousing
• Facebookfacebook.com/cihhousing
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chartered-institute-of-housing

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chartered Institute of Housing