Ethics Flashcards
Why were the rules of conduct updated?
An increase focus on diversity and inclusion as well as new technologies
To provide a simple and clear structure
What are your obligations as an RICS member?
- comply with the CPD requirements
- cooperate with RICS
- Provide all information reasonably required by the standards and regulation board
What are the firms obligations to the RICS?
- Publish a complaints handling procedure
- ensure all work has appropriate PII cover
- Cooperate with the RICS
- Provide all information reasonably required by the standards and regulation board
- display on their business literature a designation that they are RICS regulated
- Report to RICS any matter that they are required to report under the rules of registration
What is bribery?
A gift or incentive which impairs professional judgement
what are the offences in the bribery act?
- Bribery
- Receiving a bribe
- Bribing a foreign public official
- Failing to prevent bribery
What are the benefits of being an RICS member
- status
- knowledge
- network
- recognition
- market advantage
What are the benefits of being an RICS regulated firm?
- Confidence - firms are regulated
- Security - complaints handling / PII cover
- Professionalism
What are the three types of conflict?
- a party conflict - work on the same or related instruction
- Own interest conflict - personal interest
- Confidential information Conflict - work between two parties that is confidential
What are the 5 rules of conduct?
- Be honest, act with integrity and comply with personal obligations and RICS obligations
- Maintain professional competency
- provide good-quality and dilligent service
- treat others with respect and encourage diversity and inclusion
- act in the public interest and maintain public confidence in the profession
What is the role of the RICS?
- to maintain the highest standards of education and training
- to protect consumers through strict regulation of professional standards
- be the leading source of information an independent advice on land, property, and associated environmental issues.
What is the current governance structure of the RICS?
Governed under the terms of its royal charter, by various internal councils, boards and associations.
The governing council has 21 members and runs the RICS, providing management and strategic direction.
Current CEO - Richard Collins
Current president - Ann Gray, this position chairs the governing council
When was the RICS founded and when did it receive the royal charter?
1868
1881
What was the purpose of the Bichard review?
Following an independent review by Alison Levitt, the RICS commissioned Lord Bichard to undertake a further review to;
clarify the purpose of the RICS, including its responsibility to act for the public advantage.
Make recommendations on its governing structure to deliver that purpose
What recommendations did Bichard make?
- A renewed focus on the public interest remit, including creating a public interest panel to advise the governing council.
- Maintaining self-regulation through greater independence for regulatory functions
- Increased focus on diversity and inclusion
- Empowering members with greater support for regional boards and a renewed focus on younger members
- An independent review of the RICS governance and effectivness at delivering against its charter once every 5 years
- A new simplified, clear, accountable governance structure
- Showing greater leadership on sustainability and climate change
What information is required in an annual return?
- Type of business and staffing details
- Name of responsible principle
- Statutory regulated activities
- Nature of clients
- Complaints handling procedure details and records
- PII details
- Whether the firm holds client money
What is the purpose of the RICS Ethics decision tree?
Provides a framework of questions that members should ask themselves when facing a situation in which they’re asked to act in a potentially unethical manor.
It encourages considering the legality of ones actions and their consistency with the Rules of Conduct.
When would a disciplinary procedure be triggered?
By someone complaining to the RICS, an allegation by a client or third party or because of information received or established by the RICS.
E.g. Failing to meet CPD requirements
What are the three levels of disciplinary action?
- Action by Head of Regulation
- Disciplinary Panel
- Appeal Panel
What are the 4 actions the RICS head of regulation could take if disciplinary action is required?
- Serve a fixed penalty notice
- Make a regulatory compliance order
- Refer the matter to a single member of the regulatory tribunal for consideration
- Refer the matter directly to Disciplinary panel
What is the RICS guidance on use of social media?
Use of social media: Guidance for RICS members, 2021
What are the RICS Core materials?
International Stanadards
Red Book, Global
International measurement standards
Professional statements
conflicts of interest, global 2021
service charges in commercial property, 2018
RICS Property measurement, 2018
Client money handling, 2019
Guidance notes
Surveying safely, 2018
Contamination, the environment and sustainability, 2010
comparable evidence in commercial valuations, 2019
How should fee negotiations be conducted?
With honesty and transparency
Should be market level and agreed on an ad-hoc basis
avoid price fixing
should not be seen to be undercutting another firm
Ensure you can provide a diligent service for the fee basis