Conduct, Rules and Ethics Flashcards
What is your complaints handling procedure?
- First complain to my manager, if not resolved then complain to designed complaint handler in company
- Complaint acknowledged within 7 days, responded to within 28 days
- If not resolved then RICS approved redress scheme and ADR
You mentioned being offered a bottle of wine, what is your companies policy with regards to accepting gifts?
Decline politely first, if client insists then we are allowed to accept gifts with a value up to £20 without checking with our manager first as along as we record it on our gifts and hospitality form
Are there any situations where you could accept a gift?
Yes, as long as it is proportionate and doesn’t suggest improper obligation, and declared in line with your policy.
What is your companies whistle blowing policy?
We have an independent body which we can report to
You mentioned being offered private work, which of the RICS ethical standards would this have gone against?
Integrity - be honest and straight forward in all that you do
Who is RICS president?
Kath Fontana
Who is RICS chief exec?
Dr Sean Thompkins
Who is RICS president elect?
Clement Lau
When was RICS founded?
1868, royal charter granted in 1881
What is the RICS governing structure made of?
Governing council, regulatory board, audit committee, management board
What are the rules of conduct for firms?
1- interpretation 2- communication 3- information 4- advertising 5- solvency 6- indemnity 7- incapcity or death 8- use of designations 9- CPD 10-professional behaviour 11- clients money 12- complaints handling procedure 13- cooperation 14- Service 15- competence
What are the rules of conduct for members?
1- interpretation 2- information 3- competence 4-ethical behaviour 5-CPD 6- service 7- solvency 8- cooperation 9- communication
What are the requirements to set up your own practice?
- Inform RICS, appoint contact officer, register with RICS for regulation, arrange PII and send to RICS, procedures for handling clients money/register with RICS Client Money Protection Scheme, complaints handling policy, RICS annual return form - nature of clients, staff information, training, responsible principle
What statutory compliance is applicable when setting up your own firm?
Equality Act 2010, Bribery Act 2010, Money Laundering Regs, Health and Safety Act, Data Protection
How would you close down a practice?
- Inform RICS, inform clients, return any money to clients, inform insurers, run off cover for PII, keep client records for 6 years
What are the 6 principles of the Bribery Act 2010?
- Top level commitment, - due diligence, - proportionate procedures, - risk assessment, - communication - monitor and review
What is the role of a contact officer?
main liaison point between the Firm and RICS and the person authorised to submit the Firm’s Annual Return.
What is the role of the responsible principal?
- primary contact for RICS within the firm. Responsible to ensure firm has appropriate measures in place for its Principals and employees to fully comply with RICS standards and requirements and provide evidence
- ensuring the firms systems and controls meet legal requirements and provide evidence
- ensuring all information provided to RICS is truthful and report any material changes to
- ensuring that there are adequate processes and systems to record any failures to
comply with RICS and/or legal requirements and provide evidence
What is next action if client refuses to accept remedy of complaint?
They can be given access to an independent redress scheme. List of approved providers on RICS website under regulation
Where would you go to find out about complaints handling procedure?
RICS website under upholding standards and regulation section
Who does PII protect?
- ensure that if the firm faces a claim, it is protected from financial loss that it cannot meet from its own
resources - protect the insured member or firm against the consequences of its liability to pay damages to third
parties for breaches of professional duty that it commits through its professional activities and - ensure that the firm’s clients do not suffer financial loss, which the firm cannot meet
Where would you buy PII from?
From RICS approved insurer, website will give list of approved insurers or speak to insurer directly
What are the required levels of PII insurance in relation to turnover?
0 - £100k = 250k
£100k - 200k = £500k
£200k+ = £1 million
What is run off cover?
- ensure that firms, members and their clients are not exposed to financial detriment in the period
following a firm ceasing to trade, RICS requires firms to obtain fully retroactive run-off cover
What are key requirements of PII cover?
- fully retroactive, claims made basis
- underwritten by RICS approved insurer
- can no longer exclude for fire safety 4 stories or less
- cyber cover
- run off cover required for minimum 6 years but can extend if firm deems appropriate
Could run off cover be extended to 12 years?
- Yes under deed
What are the new requirements of PII and when did they come in to force?
- no fire safety exclusion for blocks of flats under 4 stories
- cyber protection
- 1st May 2021