ARMA calls for ‘more professionalism’ in property management (again).

Delegates attending this year’s ARMA conference yet again heard calls for more professionalism in the property management industry, as a ‘new’ approach to self-regulation was outlined to members attending the annual trade conference.  Similar comments have been made at previous conferences.

This time, Baronness Dianne Hayter of Kentish Town was tasked with delivering the keynote presentation. Baronnes Hayter, who had formerly chaired the now disbanded Property Standards Board, had been commissioned by ARMA to carry out an “independent review and recommend changes in ARMA’s self regulatory processes”. She told conference delegates: "We have recommended that ARMA separate regulation and representation with the regulatory role involving independent consumer representatives.”

ARMA have not finally determined how separate regulation for their members will work in practice or when it will be implemented, but outgoing Chief Executive David Hewett admitted that it would not be before October 2012 and would likely take longer than that to implement. Earlier this year at the Leasehold 2011Conference, John Mills, ARMA’s technical officer admitted that he would welcome “competition for regulation” in the property management sector although he made clear that these were his personal views and did not at that time represent ARMA policy.

Currently ARMA self-regulates its members, although for the last two years they have also been required to belong to a recognised Ombudsman scheme. Despite this new injection of regulatory uncertainty, Rupert Roker, Policy Manager at Consumer Focus said: “The public needs to be confident in the regulation of this industry and we hope that ARMA's new direction will be able to raise standards generally across the sector."

In other presentations, ARMA delegates were provided with the customary technical and legal updates.