Chartered membership is the hallmark of your success in housing. It is a demonstration of your housing expertise, your commitment to the highest professional and ethical standards. It shows the recognition that you are a competent and committed housing professional.
Stand out from the crowd, enhance your status with colleagues and employers by showing that you are a trusted housing professional.
The right membership for you
Chartered membership is designed for experienced housing professionals who want to demonstrate their leadership, expertise, and commitment to the profession.
It’s ideal for:
- Senior managers leading teams or services
- Aspiring leaders preparing for the next step in their housing career
- Experienced professionals looking to achieve professional recognition.
Membership requirements
To be eligible for chartered membership, you must meet one of the following requirements:
- Have achieved a CIH-recognised qualification at level 5 or above.
- Have completed a CIH-accredited executive route or experienced professional route.
There are several ways to achieve chartered status, depending on your qualifications and experience. Explore the options below to find the route that best fits your qualifications, experience and career stage.
For housing professionals looking to develop their strategic management and leadership skills.
Gain a professional qualification that develops the knowledge and skills needed to deliver effective housing services at a strategic management and executive level. Successful completion makes you eligible for chartered membership (CIHCM).
For experienced housing professionals ready to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise.
Draw on your existing experience, qualifications and professional knowledge to demonstrate that you meet the requirements for chartered membership through a reflective statement and professional interview.
For senior leaders and directors working at a strategic level in housing.
Demonstrate your strategic leadership, professional achievements and influence on housing policy and practice through a reflective assessment, presentation and peer review process.
For those pursuing a university qualification in housing that leads to chartered membership.
Explore CIH-validated undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that meet the requirements for chartered membership (CIHCM), delivered by recognised universities.
Our membership fees
Chartered membership (CIHCM) is available to UK members for an annual fee of £418, which can be spread across 12 months by Direct Debit at no extra cost.
per month*
12-month Direct Debit plan
per year
One-off annual payment
*Equivalent to less than £35 a month based on a £418 annual fee
Find out about membership fees, payment options, concessionary rates and fees for Ireland and international members. View membership fees and payment information.
CIH membership demonstrates your commitment to professionalism in the housing sector. Depending on your membership grade, you can use designatory letters after your name to recognise your professional standing and demonstrate your commitment to maintaining high standards.
Our events and webinars are free* as part of your membership. Our events calendar covers various topics, ranging from practical housing management, high-level policy discussions, to those designed to support your professional development.
Plus, as a member you’ll get access to our recording’s library of all our past webinars, so you’ll get years’ worth of knowledge at your fingertips.
*Terms and conditions apply. Due to the way these are hosted, we are unable to include dinner events and parts of Housing Community Summit in this offer.
As a member, you’ll have access to a range of opportunities to develop your career, expand your knowledge and skills, and support your continuing professional development.
- Access discounted training courses covering current housing topics, delivered by policy and practice experts.
- Through our mentoring scheme, you can set goals, build confidence, develop your knowledge and learn new skills with support from other professionals.
- Use our member portal to record your CPD activities and track your professional development.
- As a chartered member, you also become eligible to apply for the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) professionally qualified person card.
We offer a range of support and volunteering opportunities for members, from influencing policy and getting involved in regional activities to connecting with other housing professionals. These opportunities can help you develop your skills, build relationships and contribute to the housing sector.
Join one of our voluntary groups and help us continue to create a future where everyone has a place to call home.
Make the most of your membership with exclusive discounts and savings.
- Housing Today: Fully paid members receive full access to sector news, insight, comment and analysis, including news direct to their inbox.
- TOTUM membership: Save hundreds of pounds a year with free TOTUM membership, or purchase a TOTUM+ discount card for even more savings, offers and vouchers.
- Institute of Leadership: Access discounted membership to help grow your leadership potential within the housing sector.
Not sure which path to follow? Call 024 7685 1700 or email customer@cih.org.
Apply for chartered membership (CIHCM)
Start your membership application online today. Your application is subject to approval. A member of our team will contact you once it has been reviewed.
Having trouble creating or logging into your account? Get help with your MyCIH account here.
Have a question about CIH membership?
Whether you’re joining, renewing, or managing your membership, we’re here to help. Find out how to contact us and get the support you need.
Contact us
If this is the first time you have tried to login on to CIH's website, please follow the instructions below.
- Click ‘Log in’ top right of our website or click this link to take you to the log in page.
- Click ‘Sign up now’ under the big blue sign in button – don’t complete any fields at this stage.
- Enter your email address, ensuring it’s the email we would have on our system for you.
- Click 'Send verification code'.
- Check your email inbox for an email with your verification code (check your spam/junk email just in case).
- Copy the verification code in the email.
- Head back to our website, and enter or paste the verification code into the box.
- Click the 'Verify code' button.
- Once the verification code has been complete, you can continue to create a password and complete the rest of the form including 'First Name', 'Last Name' and 'Preferred Name' fields.
- Click the 'Create' button.
- You will then be able to access your account.
If you are having issues logging in, please call us on 024 7685 1700 or email membership.services@cih.org and our membership services team will help you get logged in.
We understand that circumstances can vary, so we offer concessionary membership rates to make CIH membership more accessible.
Concessionary membership costs £82 per year for UK-based members. These rates do not affect your membership grade – they simply reduce your annual subscription fee.
Who can apply for concessionary rates
- Under 30s
- Learners
- Retired or career break
- HR and learning professionals
- Tenants.
Applying for a concessionary rate
To apply, start by selecting your membership grade on our website, which will begin your online application. During the application process, you can then select any concessionary rate that applies to you.
Our team will review your application and contact you if any supporting evidence is required.
If you’re unsure which concessionary rate applies to you, or need help with your application, please contact our membership team at customer@cih.org or call 024 7685 1700 — we’ll be happy to help.
UK-based learners studying a housing qualification through the CIH Housing Academy or an approved study centre may be eligible for a concessionary membership rate of £82 per year. This rate applies to your chosen membership grade.
The concessionary rate covers the following membership periods:
- Level 2, 3 or 4 qualification = one year’s membership
- Level 5 qualification = two years’ membership
Each learner can access the learner concessionary rate once only. You aren't eligible if you're currently a paying CIH member or have been one within the last 12 months.
How to apply
Select your preferred membership grade from above and begin your online application. During the application process, select the learner concessionary rate.
Our team will review your application and contact you if supporting evidence is required.
If you're a current CIH member and would like to upgrade your membership grade, please call us on 024 7685 1700 or email us at customer@cih.org.
Renewing your CIH membership is is quick and simple. You can find out how to renew online, over the phone or by email, whichever works best for you.
To reinstate your membership, please select your applicable grade from the membership grades. Log into MyCIH and start a new membership application.
Your application is subject to approval and a member of the membership team will contact you once it has been reviewed. If you would like to discuss this with a member of the team please contact membership.services@cih.org or call 024 7685 1700.
