How to Join ARMA

There are five ways in which companies can become involved with ARMA: as a Member, as an Associate, as a Partner, a Network membership, or as RMC/RTM Directors.

MEMBERSHIP

Companies that have traded successfully as managing agents and Housing Associations that have managed residential long leasehold property, either their own property or that of another landlord, are eligible to apply to be an ARMA Member. Members must have achieved ARMA Accreditation. They:

• Are permitted to use the ARMA logo
• Are permitted to promote themselves as ARMA ‘Members’
• Have access to the full range of ARMA member level benefits
• Are permitted to attend meetings and vote in respect of the company affairs of the Association of Residential Managing Agents Ltd (of which ARMA is the trading name)
• Are required to comply with ARMA Bye-Laws, RICS Code, relevant legislation and the ARMA Consumer Charter & Standards.

Member level benefits include technical support, access to over 100 Guidance Notes, discounted training and annual conference/dinner, networking/briefing events, ARMA ACE Awards, access to a free business advice line and an emergency crisis line, monthly circular and quarterly magazine.

ASSOCIATE

This is a transitory category where maximum periods are set and the Associate will either progress to Member, or if still not qualified to do so after the specified period, will no longer receive member level benefits and may be asked to leave. Associates can be:

1. New applicants who are managing agents and are working towards Membership. The maximum period for which they can be Associates for is two years. If they fail to become a Member by the end of that period, they will no longer receive member level benefits and may be asked to leave.
2. Managing Agents who do not yet meet the ARMA Accreditation standards (either by their own admission or having had their application for accreditation declined) but are working towards compliance for a specified ‘grace period’. If they fail to achieve ARMA Accreditation by the end of that period, they will no longer receive member level benefits and may be asked to leave.
3. Housing Associations operating as managing agents having had their application for accreditation declined are offered Associate status with a specified “grace period” within which to become accredited. If they fail to do so by the end of that period, they will no longer receive member level benefits and may be asked to leave.

Associates receive all the member level benefits (see above) but they are:

• Only permitted to use the Associate logo
• Not permitted to promote themselves as ‘Members’
• Not permitted to attend meetings and vote in respect of the company affairs of the Association of Residential Managing Agents Ltd (of which ARMA is the trading name)
• Required to comply with ARMA Bye-Laws, RICS Code, and relevant legislation
• NOT required to comply with the ARMA Consumer Charter & Standards.

PARTNER

Partner status is open to any organisation that is not directly involved in the practice of block management but whose products and services are essential for managing agents. Partners can be:

• Accountancy firms
• Insurance companies
• Management service providers
• Solicitors
• Software companies
• Debt collection companies
• Utility providers
• Other companies such as: emergency repairs, lift maintenance, Health and safety, etc.

The granting of Partner status and entitlement is entirely at the discretion of the ARMA Council who may withdraw or amend it at any time without appeal.

Partners receive the full range of member level benefits (see above) but they are:

• Permitted to use the ARMA Partner logo
• Required to comply where applicable, with ARMA Bye-Laws, RICS code and relevant legislation
• Required to attend the TC1 introductory course before being allowed use of the ARMA Partner logo
• Not permitted to promote themselves as ‘Members’
• Not permitted to use their Partner status for the purpose of selling their company’s services to non-ARMA members
• Not permitted to attend meetings and vote in respect of ARMA affairs
• NOT required to comply with the ARMA Consumer Charter & Standards.

For more information about the ARMA Partners scheme, please click here.

If you are interested in becoming an ARMA Partner or would like further information, please telephone 020 7978 2607 or email info@arma.org.uk.

NETWORK

ARMA Network membership is open to any organisation which is not directly involved in the practice of residential block management or which manages only its own portfolio of residential properties, and who wish to benefit from the professional advantages and technical support offered by ARMA. Network members can be:

• Freeholders (including Freehold Managers & Freeholder’s Agents)
• Corporate landlords
• Residential developers/housebuilders
• Housing associations
• Local authorities
• Other Registered Providers

The granting of Network status and entitlement is entirely at the discretion of the ARMA Council who may withdraw or amend it at any time without appeal.

Network members receive the full range of Member level benefits (as above) but they are:

• Permitted to use the ARMA Network logo for the duration of their Network status and in accordance with the terms of usage
• Required to comply where applicable, with ARMA Bye-Laws, RICS code and relevant legislation
• Required to sign the Government’s Public pledge for Leaseholders, as appropriate (Freeholder, Freehold Manager or Freeholder’s Agent)
• Not permitted to promote themselves as accredited ‘Members’
• Not permitted to use their Network status or benefits of membership for the purpose of selling their company’s services to non-ARMA members
• Not permitted to attend meetings and vote in respect of ARMA affairs
• NOT required to comply with the ARMA Consumer Charter & Standards.

For more information about the ARMA Network scheme, please click here.

If you are interested in joining ARMA Network or would like further information, please call 020 7978 2607 or email info@arma.org.uk.

RMC/RTM DIRECTORS

RMC/RTM Directors is a new category and is open to non-commercial companies involved in the management of Leasehold blocks of flats including RMCs, RTM Companies and Residents Associations.

The granting of this member status is entirely at the discretion of the Council who may withdraw or amend it at any time without appeal.

RMC/RTM Co. Directors receive the following range of benefits:

• RMC/RTM Portal which contain invaluable information for RMC’s and RTM’s
• Technical Support
• Guidance Notes
• Discounted rates for training & events
• Monthly Industry Focus updates
• ARMA’s quarterly magazine (AQD)
• Useful links to other associations that will be able to provide guidance
• Access to membership benefits such as ARMA Energy, ARMA Insure
• Access to ARMA Partners directory.

RMC/RTM Co. Directors do not have access to:

• ARMA Crisis Line
• Membership Services
• Marketing Tools.

RMC/RTM Co. Directors are also:

• Not permitted to use the ARMA logo
• Not permitted to promote themselves as ‘Members’
• Not permitted to attend meetings and vote in respect of the company affairs of the Association of Residential Managing Agents Ltd (of which ARMA is the trading name)
• Required to comply where applicable, with ARMA Bye-Laws, RICS Code and relevant legislation
• NOT required to comply with the ARMA Consumer Charter & Standards.

Did you know: If your managing agent is an ARMA member you can access the RMC /RTM Portal by contacting them.

HOW TO JOIN ARMA

If you would like to apply for membership of ARMA as a Member, Associate, Partner, Network member or RMC/RTM Director, please complete the Membership Enquiry Form or use the ‘ENQUIRE NOW’ banner below. You will need to create an online account to access the membership enquiry form in our portal, and from the date you are given access to the application form, you have six months to complete and submit your application, after which time, your application will be closed. If you encounter any difficulties or have any questions about joining ARMA, please contact info@arma.org.uk.

MEMBERSHIP FEES

If you would like more information regarding our application and membership fees, please contact info@arma.org.uk

ARMA’s membership year runs from 1 May to 30 April. The annual subscription fees are set by the Council and the current rates are available on request.

Members joining the Association between May to October (inclusive) will be required to pay the annual membership fee in full. Members joining in the second six months of our mebership year (November to April) shall pay a subscription pro-rata to the period remaining in that year; similarly for Associates, Partners, RMC/RTM Co. Directors and Network Members.

Members and Associates’ fees are based on the number of residential leasehold units under management, and and the current rates are available on request, via info@arma.org.uk

ARMA Partners and ARMA Network members pay a set fee, regardless of size of company, and the current rates are available on request.

RMC/RTM Co. Directors pay a set fee regardless of size of company and the current rates are available on request.

APPLICATION ASSISTANCE

To help you with your membership application, the following documents can be downloaded here: Guide to Joining ARMA, ARMA Consumer Charter & Standards, ARMA Guide to Audit.