3 - Ethics Flashcards
Tell me about RICS PII Requirements
- Must be Each and Every or ITAWRTCR
- Must be as per minimum levels and uninsured excess
- Must be by RICS approved insurer
- Covers past and previous employees
- Must be fully retroactive
- Must have run off cover
- Take note of minimum policy wording
- No fire safety inclusion on building under 4 storey
What are the different types of RICS Publications?
- Professional Statements
- Guidance Notes
- Data Standards
- International standards
- Assessment standards
Name some Professional Statements
- Client Money Handling
- Conflicts of Interest
- Countering Bribery, money laundering, corruption and terrorist financing
Name some Guidance Notes
- Asbestos
- Surveying Safely
- Lessons Learned
Explain the Principles of Better Regulation
Better Regulation Executive set out 5 principles:
- Proportional
- Accountable
- Consistent
- Targeting
- Transparent
Explain how the RICS abides by the Principles of Better Regulation
- Proportional - Fines fit the punishment
- Accountable - To the members and public
- Consistent - Treats all members/firms equally
- Targeting - Doesn’t have a scattergun approach
- Transparent - Clear, concise and easily followed
Name all the RICS Standards of Conduct
- Countering Bribery, corruption, money laundering and anti-terrorist financing
- Conflicts of Interest
- Ethics
- Rules of Conduct
- Client Money
- Risk, Insurance and Liability
What are the RICS requirements for a CHP?
- Must be in at least two stages 1) deal with it internally and 2) refer to independent redress
- Acknowledge within 7 days, respond within 28
- Fit for purpose and understood by staff
- Agreed by PII Brokers
- Must be freely provided
- Must have a form of ADR approved by the RICS
- Must keep a Complaints Log
- Must notify insurer if required
When does the RICS get involved in Complaints?
Usually only if the Firm has not responded to the complaint or has prevented the complainant accessing the independent redress mechanism in some way
What are the Ethical Standards? Name them.
The standards set by the RICS that all members should uphold in the course of their work.
- Act honestly, with integrity and comply with obligations
- Professional competence
- Always provide a high standard of service
- Treat other with respect
- Take responsibility and act in the public interest
When was RICS formed? What is the structure?
- Formed in 1868
- Awarded Royal Charter in 1881
- Privvy Council - Awards RC and ratifies changes
- Governing Council - Fulfils RC duties
- RICS Board - Delivery of business plan
- Standards and Regulation Board - Sets S&Rs
- Audit Committee - Internal audit across entire organisation
- Regulatory Tribunal - Independent body that acts as the disciplinary panel
What do you need to do when setting up a Firm?
- Register with Companies House
- Comply with Companies Act 2006
- Register with RICS - at least 25% of directors needs to be MRICS
- Appoint a contract officer/principal representative
- Comply with the Rules of Conduct
- Submit an Annual Return to RICS
- PII Cover from RICS insured
- Submit annual accounts
- Set up designations / locum
- CPD, training and development
- Complaints handling procedure
What do you need to do when closing down a Firm?
- Inform RICS
- Hand over Clients to others
- Return Client Money
- Keep files for 15 years (recommended)
- Obtain run-off cover
Can you tell me what is in the Countering Bribery, Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Professional Statement?
- Sets out what firms must and must not do
- Have procedures in place to prevent such as doing identify/credit checks
- Report suspicious activity
- Retain records
- Having a record of all hospitality
Tell me about the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
- Allows Government to recover proceeds of crime
Also established the following crimes:
- Using criminal property
- Knowingly entering in to an agreement where criminal property/proceeds are involved
Tell me about the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Regulations 2019
- Cannot be complicit
- Have systems and training in place
- report suspicious activities
- Take measures to understand client and purpose of transaction
- Record info detailing how firms have met RICS standards.
What is Stace’s CHP process?
Complaint in writing
Goes to the Nominated person who has 7 days to understand the issue and 21 days to make a decision
If you don’t like a decision it goes to the RICS Representative, 14 days
Don’t like the decision it goes to mediation and then arbitration
How do you act with Integrity?
- Be honest and trustworthy in all that I do; never accept a bribe.
- Not revealing a winning bidders fee
How do you treat others with respect? Give an example for your Case Study
- Practice Active Listening
- Democratic leadership in chairing meetings
How do you act in a way that promotes trust in the profession? Give an example for your Case Study
- I conduct myself professionally in both my work and personal life, particularly with regards to social media.
- Short timescales for the production of Options Appraisal - promised the Client I would have it done in time and I did.
How do you provide a high standard of service? Give an example for your Case Study
- Have reports, some forms of communication and complex emails peer reviewed and checked by colleagues.
How do you take responsibility? Give an example from your Case Study
- On behalf of the team I own any mistakes made by the project team and manage them fully to resolution, including keeping the Client informed of progress.
- Consulted extensively with Planning Consultant to show the impact to the master schedule.
What is a Bribe? Tell me about the Bribery Act.
- A payment in money or in kind as an inducement for a party to act unethically, illegally or a breach of trust.
1) Top level commitment
2) Due Diligence
3) Communication
4) Risk Assessment
5) Proportionality
6) Monitoring and Review
- Outlaws Facilitation Payments
- 10 year sentence/unlimited fine for individuals
Unlimited fine for companies
What should be in a Service Agreement or Terms of Engagement with a Client?
- Scope
- Basis on which fee is calculated
- Liability Cap (specific attention drawn)
- Advise over CHP
What actions must you take before undertaking work for a Client?
- Check whether any conflicts of interest
- Risk assessment over DD if applicable
- Have a contract/agreement in place
What questions does the RICS Ethical Decision Tree post?
- How does your action fit with the ethical standards?
- Is what you’re doing legal?
- Ultimate test - Would you be happy to have your actions made public?
- Do not proceed, act and reflect, record decision and outcome
What is Stace’s Gifts and Hospitality Policy?
Under £50 - Partner Approval
£50-200 - Declare
Over £200 - Permission from partner and disclosed ahead of accepting
What are the RICS Disciplinary Proceedures?
- CPD Sanctions and Fines for when members have not completed CPD or provided information when required. Usually a stepped process (i.e. first time is a warning)
- Regulatory Compliance Order - Agreement between Firm and RICS that something needs to be improved. Action plan to address.
- Disciplinary Panel Hearing - For serious cases or continued breaches.
Usually only gets involved when it finds something in audit, information isn’t provided, CPD isn’t done or complain/whistleblowing from another party
What are the most common causes for RICS to conduct disciplinary proceedings?
- Not completing required CPD
- Mishandling Client Money
- Not acting in a professional manner
Tell me about the Modern Slavery Act 2015
- Sets out the varying types of modern slavery
- Produce S.54 statement stating what they have done in the past year to combat MS.
- Perform Due Diligence checks on Clients/Supply Chain as required.
- Report anything suspicious to the Home Office
What did RICS do as a result of the Merrett vs. Babb Case?
- Set up the Member Support Service
- Set recommended liability wording
- Mandated run off cover
What are the 3 Key Sectors in the RICS?
- Land
- Property
- Construction
Name 6 Professional Groups
18 Professional Groups in total
- Project Management
- Facilities Management
- Building Surveying
- Valuation
- Quantity Surveying and Construction
- Dispute Resolution
What is the purpose of the Professional Groups?
- Steer and set the entry and assessment requirements to that pathway
- Contribute to development of RICS standards, strategy and direction
- Act as a network for knowledge sharing and support
- CPD support
What is the Levitt Review?
- Review in to dismissal of directors who raised concerns about alleged mismanagement of funds
- Report has been issued
- Many recommendations
- Exec team stepped down
- Further review being undertaken by Lord Bichard
- No illegal activity and governing council more control over management and below
What did RICS do in response to Grenfell?
- Lobbied and provided advice to government
- Provided guidance to landlords and residents
- Set up dedicated Fire Safety Hub online
- Produced documentation on the External Fire Wall review process (EWS) and the EWS1 Form
- Worked with insurers to remove blanket exclusion on fire safety in terms of PII
What are the 4 main roles of the RICS and the purpose under the Royal Charter?
- Regulate and promote the profession
- Maintain the highest professional and educational standards
- Protect Clients and Consumers via a strict code of ethics
- Provide impartial advice and guidance
“Promote the usefulness of the profession for the public advantage in the UK and in other parts of the world”
What are the RICS Standards of Conduct?
- Ethics
- Rules of Conduct for Members and Firms
- Client Money
- Conflict of Interest
- Bribery, Corruption, Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing
- Risk, Liability and Insurance
Can you tell me about Client Money Handling?
- Keep Client money safe
- Ensure robust processes in place for managing money
- Client Money used for appropriate purposes only
- Never go overdrawn
- Full audit trail and ledger
What is the Client Money Protection Scheme?
- Provides protection, as a last resort, in instances where an RICS Regulated firm is unable to repay a client’s money, up to the limits and exceptions set out in the scheme rules.
What is the Royal Charter?
- Establishes separate legal entity of the body itself rather than just the individuals
- Required RICS to develop profession for public advantage
- Allows members to use ‘Chartered’ in their title
- Written description of RICS powers and obligations
- Awarded by Victoria to maintain and promote the usefulnes of profession for public advantage
What is the RICS Vision?
“To be recognised in key international markets as the leading body that develops and enforces professional standards, and offers access to the most sought-after professional status”
What is the purpose of the RICS?
- Regulate and promote the profession
- Maintain the highest professional and ethical standards
- Protect Clients and Consumers via a strict code of ethics
- Provide impartial advice and guidance
What the 4 key elements of the new RICS business plan?
TIPS
- Trusted by our stakeholders and society
- Influential thought leader
- Professional qualifications remain in demand
- Sustainable 21st Century professional body
What are the 6 key principles of the Bribery Act? What is the mnemonic?
DTM and CPR
- Due Diligence
- Top Level Commitment
- Monitoring and Review
- Communication
- Proportionality
- Risk Assessment
Can you tell me about the current senior staff at the RICS?
President - Ann Gray
President Elect - Tina Paillet
CEO - Justin Young
Can you talk about any articles you have seen in Modus?
- Will 3D printed homes lead to a workforce revolution.
- Addresses the problem of reduced workforce. Construct a storey a day