About UKPDA

The UK Property Developers Association is a trade body that sets professional standards for developers and other associated parties involved in property development.

Whilst property developers and landlords will make up the bulk of our membership, we also shortly be accepting applications from lenders, housebuilders, accountants, architects and other professionals involved in the property development sector.

Members will be expected to adhere to our Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics at all times.

All prospective members will be subject to eligibility checks and references before membership is granted

Why join?

Joining UKPDA is a benchmark of quality and demonstrates your commitment to upholding standards, both professional and financial.

Because each prospective member has to go through a vigorous application process, anyone who transacts with an approved member does so in the knowledge that they are working with an ethical, experienced, trusted professional.

We have a zero tolerance policy for anyone involved in dishonest, deliberately misleading or fraudulent activity and this is one of the reasons why membership of UKPDA will become a benchmark of quality for property professionals.

Why we formed UKPDA?

To drive up standards within the property sector with the ultimate aim of ensuring that clients do not lose money. Promote transparency, professionalism and honesty as bywords of membership.

  • A client can be an investor that has paid a deposit on an off-plan apartment scheme in Liverpool.
  • A client can be a borrower who has retained the services of a construction firm to build a new property (or properties)
  • A client can be a buyer that has bought a share (fractional ownership) in a hotel development in Manchester.
  • A client can be a lender that has funded the building of a 200 bed student scheme in Leeds
  • A client can be an architect who has been working on plans for a Build to Rent (BTR) scheme in Birmingham
  • A client can be a main contractor who has been building 14 houses in Peterborough on behalf of a developer

The seemingly endless cycle of investors, lenders and buyers losing money because of the actions of unscrupulous individuals has to stop.

4 good reasons to join us

We give investors & buyers confidence
  • That the developer will ring fence your deposit money by placing funds with a solicitor
  • That the developer will have undergone reference, fraud & credit checks and have financial stability
  • That the build will be monitored and a progress report will be sent to all investors at least once a month
We give funders confidence
  • That the developer has gone through a vigorous application process before being approved
  • That the developer does not have financial problems that could prevent them from finishing the build
  • That there is no reputational risk due to adverse or negative publicity surrounding the developer
We give developers confidence
  • That the lender they are working with has sufficient funds to complete the project
  • That the lender expedites all development/staged drawdown requests within 48 hours of the monitoring report
  • That the lender treats developers fairly in relation to construction and/or redemption delays
And we bring everyone together
  • Annual conference by invitation only
  • Facilitating one to one meetings between members
  • Access to construction warranty & insurance products
  • Marketplace that will feature Joint Venture, land buying opportunities and investor enquiries

Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics outlines the minimum standards of ethical conduct expected of Members.

  • Act in good faith at all times
  • Be professional, transparent and honest in all dealings with clients, investors, lenders and all other associated professions.
  • Provide clear information and guidance to enable clients to make informed decisions.
  • Ensure that clients are fully informed in respect of the finance markets, regulations, products and any potential impact on them.
  • Provide clear and detailed information and ensure the validity and accuracy of all documentation provided.
  • Respect the client’s confidentiality in relation to all records and information held by you.
  • Make available all relevant documentation, policies, certificates, endorsements and financial information as may be required.
  • Follow up client complaints in a professional, courteous and speedy manner
  • Work positively towards maintaining and enhancing the reputation of UKPDA and its Members.
  • Abide by the rules imposed by UKPDA, other trade bodies, and relevant regulatory authorities (where applicable)
  • Act in the spirit of this Code of Ethics and encourage others to do likewise.

Join UKPD

By joining us and being approved to display the UKPDA logo on your online and offline literature, you are demonstrating to your clients that you are a professional they can trust.

A professional that has agreed to abide by our Code of Conduct and Ethics.

All members are subject to credit, fraud, AML and reference checks before being approved. The decision of UKPDA is final and there is no right of appeal if we decide to decline membership to a firm or individual.

Apply to become a member below.

Become a member

Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct is a more detailed guide on how UKPDA assess their Members conduct and probity. This should be read in conjunction with the Code of Ethics

Financial

  • Members should evidence satisfactory financial standing at the point of application (if requested to do so) and at any point during their membership UKPDA.

This evidence may include (but not be limited to)

  • Access to Members bank accounts
  • Audited trading accounts
  • Access to the P&L and balance sheet
  • Credit searches (both company and individuals within the company)
  • In the event of ‘off-plan’ developments, proof that client/investor/buyer funds are held in an Escrow account administered by a reputable Solicitor.

Competence

  • Members should evidence that they have the necessary knowledge and experience to join UKPDA. This can include (but not be limited to):
  • Evidence of previous, recent or current builds/developments/refurbishments
  • References from professional partners such as Solicitors, Architects, Lenders, Accountants or similar
  • Professional qualifications or trade body accreditations

Integrity

    • Integrity forms the cornerstone of the Code of Conduct and underpins everything that the UKDA stands for.
    • Members should not engage in any conduct which reflects adversely on its integrity as a Member of UKPDA.
    • Members must not solicit clients/investors/buyers through misleading advertisements, promotions or communications, either in print or electronically. For the avoidance of doubt, this includes social media.
    • Members must not engage in in conduct involving fraud, dishonesty, deceit or misrepresentation.
    • Members must not knowingly make a false or misleading statement to an investor, buyer, client, employer, employee, professional colleague, local or national government officials, regulatory body or any other person or entity.
    • Members must disclose to their clients/investors/buyers any conflict of interest that is material to the relationship or to a specific transaction

Full Disclosure

  • Members should make UKPDA aware of any previous issues, financial or otherwise which may include (but not be limited to):
  • Previous or ongoing credit problems such as bankruptcy, defaults or court judgements. For the avoidance of doubt, this includes all Directors and Shareholders
  • Previous or impending legal action or financial penalties
  • Previous, current or pending criminal convictions
  • Details of any property transactions where a lender has foreclosed, applied default penalties or commenced legal action
  • Conflicts of interest on a specific property transaction

Membership

  • UKPDA reserves the right to decline applications for membership without stating the reasons why
  • UKPDA can rescind an offer of membership at any point during the application process
  • UKPDA can withdraw membership if the Member fails to pay the annual membership fee within 30 days of the due date.
  • UKPDA can withdraw membership if the Member flouts any of the rules outlined in the Code of Conduct without having justifiable reason to do so. The decision of UKPDA is final and is not open to appeal.