Welcome to our second blog post in our series attempting to demystify the various awarding bodies and institutions within the UK property industry. Last month we looked at the IRPM and this month’s focus will be on the UKAA, the representative body for the UK Build to Rent (BTR) industry in the UK. We’ll be exploring who the UKAA are and what they offer to both the industry and the professionals who they work with.
What is the UKAA?
UKAA stands for United Kingdom Apartment Association. The primary goal of the organisation is to raise awareness of and grow the BTR sector, share information, raise standards and promote best practices. The organisation was founded in 2016 and is part of the global alliance of the National Apartment Association of USA (NAA), which was founded in 1939 and represents over 82,000 members with more than 10 million rental housing units globally.
The UKAA draws on a membership of over 300 organisations covering investors, operators, developers, professional services and the supply chain active in delivering and operating purpose-built and professionally managed homes for rental, and the communities around those homes.
The organisation offers a number of services, including:
● Networking and Events
● Information, Education and Training
● Innovation and Thought Leadership
● Profile Development
How to Become a Member
It is possible to gain individual membership however typically, UKAA membership is corporate, so the best way to join is to sell the idea to your team. Staff are nominated and those staff are given access to all the member benefits. The application is a simple online process with a 12-month membership term. Membership cost is dependent on which category you sit under, dictated by organisation function and size and your turnover or homes under management. You can find full details of these categories and criteria on the UKAA website.
Why is it useful to join the UKAA?
First and foremost, the UKAA is the most prestigious organisation of its kind. Because it is modelled on and linked to the NAA, it has international recognition and therefore stands its members in good stead internationally.
The key value which membership adds more generally is entry to this BTR network, as well as the ability for companies to build their profile within it. From exhibiting at events and hosting webinars to having a digital presence promoted through the UKAA and the ability to contribute to the Best Practice Guide, the industry’s compendium, opportunities to promote your business are plentiful. Membership also provides access to unique knowledge and information, allowing members to stay ahead of the curve in the industry. Finally, membership also offers access to training and education programmes, provided in partnership with the much-respected IRPM.
You can also be engaged in shaping the future of the BTR sector by becoming involved with the various committees, working groups and regional hubs developing policies and initiatives to further the quality of the sector.
Overall, the UKAA is useful, a ticket to move in the right circles within the industry. Aside from that massive boon, it also comes with a host of other benefits. As an organisation more generally, the UKAA is worth supporting, as a professionalising and unifying force for the UK Build to Rent industry. With corporate memberships starting from as little as £750 a year, signing up is undeniably beneficial to companies and the team members within them. Jackson Sims Recruitment is a property recruitment company operating in the UK and APAC region. Should you be a candidate or client working in property management we have a multitude of recruitment services that can be tailored to you. Please visit www.JacksonSimsRecruitment.com for more information.