Ethics Flashcards
When was RICS founded?
1868
When was the Royal Charter granted?
1881
How many members are there of the RICS?
circa 140,000
What are the 4 levels of RICS membership?
- FRICS
- MRICS
- AssocRICS
- Trainee/Student
How do you become a FRICS?
An FRIC will need to display:
- evidence of achivement of 4 fellowshop charactieristcs inlcuding:
- 5+ years MRICS experience
- a leadership role
- Professional/technical achievement
- Academic achievement or raising the profile of RICS
As well as a portfolio of professional achievement and CPD.
What is RICS Governance Structure?
RICS is governed under the terms of its royal charter bu various councils and boards.
- Governing Council currently has 20 embers and runs the RICS, providing management and stratefic direction
- Standards and Regs board and Management board report to governing council
- 17 professional groups covering land, property and construction
Who is the current RICS CEO and President?
CEO - Justin Young
President - Tina Paillet
What is the role of the RICS?
Promotes and enforces the highest professional qualifications and standards in the development and management of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure.
What are the three main roles of the RICS?
- Maintain the highest standards of education and training.
- Protect consumers through struct regulation of professional standards
- Be the leading source of info and independent advice on land, property, construction and associated environmental issues.
What are the key areas reported in the Bichard Review?
1) an increased focus on the public interest remit of RICS, including amending the Royal Charter and creating a public interest panel to advise the governing council
2) maintaining self-regulation through greater independence for regulatory functions
3) increase focus on D&I across the profession
4) greater support for regional boards, and increased member engagement with a focus on younger members.
5) Undertaking an independent review of the RICS governance effectiveness at delivering against its Charter for the public advantage once every 5 years
6) a new simplified, clear, accountable governance structure
7) showing greater leadership on issues that matter most to society, such as sustainability and climate change.
What were the 5 future foundations published by the RICS following the Bichard Review?
-Vision
- Mission
- Strategic goals
- Values
- A World Class Organisation
What are the benefits of being a RICS member?
- Status
- Recognition
- Market Advantage
- Knowledge
- Network
What do the RICS ‘Rules for the regulation of firms’ 2022 state?
If 50% of the Principals of a UK firm which proivides surveying services are RICS members then it has to be regulated and if at leaset 25% then it CAN apply to be regulated.
Talk me through the steps of the RICS Decision Tree?
- Do you have sufficient facts on the issue?
- Is it legal?
- Is it in line with the RICS Rules of Conduct?
- Have you consulted with appropriate people to make an informed decision?
- Do you have clear reasoning in reaching your decision?
- Is your decision informed?
7.Would you be content for your actions to be made public?
What are the 5 Rules of Conduct?
- Members and firms (M&F) must be honest, act with integrity and comply with personal obligations, including obligations to the RICS.
- M&F must maintain their professional competancy and ensure that services are undertaken by competant individuals who have the neccassary expertise.
- M&F must provide a good-quality and diligent service.
- M&F must reat other with respect and encourage diversity and inclusion.
- M&F must act in the public interest, take responsibility for their actions and act to prevent harm and maintain public confidence in their profession.
What information is required by RICS for registering a firm?
- Type of business and staffing details
- name of the Responsible Principal
- Statutory regulated activities - i.e. financial services
- Nature of clients
- Complaints handling precedure details and records
- PII details
- Whether the firm holds client money
What was the rationale in updating the Rules of Conduct in 2021?
- a simpler structure. to make it easier for members to understand.
- Clear examples. Each rule is demonstrated with an example to assist in professional judgement.
- Focusing on respect, diversity and inclusion.
- Understanding evolving technology
- tackling global challenges.
What sets out the RICS disciplinary procedures?
RICS Regulatory Decision Making 2022.
What are the three levels of disciplinary action?
- Action by Head of Regulation
- Disciplinary Panel (drawn from the independent Regulatory Tribunal)
- Appeal Panel
Following an initial investigation what are the four actions available 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 a disciplinary panel.
What do you need to put in place if you were to start your own company?
Responsible person
Register with for RICS regulation
PII
Run off cover (if you are a sole trader)
complaints handling procedure
Register with HMRC
What has replaced RICS professional statements and guidance notes?
RICS Professional Standards
What are the new RICS Core Material?
- Professional Standards
- Practice Information
- Practice Alerts
What is included within terms of engagement?
- Should include the fee and provide an option for the client to agree to the fee basis?
- Payment of expenses
- How fees are calculated
- Information about the complaints handling procedure and how to request it
What are the three types of Conflict of interest?
- Party Conflict - work on the same or related instruction for two differnt parties
- Own/Personal Conflict - relating to a personal interest
- Confidential conflict - when one party would require to keep info confidential where an obligation to another would be to reveal it.
What is a conflict of interst?
A COI is when a member of firms independence and impartiality is threatened due to the existence of a conflict betweem two clients.
What is informed consent?
Given in writing by both parties affected and can only be gained if the surveyor deems it would best serve both parties
What RICS Material covers Conflict of Interest?
RICS Global Professional Standard on Conflicts of Interest 2017
What requirements of RICS firms are in the conflict of interest
All firms must keep records to show their compliance with the standard.
Every firm must have protocals impace to ensure full compliance.
What are the three steps in handling a conflict?
1.Conflict Avoidance
2. Written Advice to both parties
3. Conflict Management
How long should you keep old files/ information (not personal to anyone)
6 years min (if contract underhand)
What should an RICS firm include within their Complaints Handling Procedure?
An RICS approved Alterntive Dispute Resolution mechanism
What are the standard minimum procedures for handling a complaint?
- (Inhouse) Details of the Complaints Handling procedure should be issued to whoever the firm owes a duty of care.
- Include details of the nominated person handling the complaint (The Complaints Handling Officer)
- A complaint should be acknowledged within 7 days and investigated within 28 days. - (ADR) If the complainant is not happy with the review, the CHP involves using an independent redress scheme that the firm has chosen.
- The name of the redress scheme must be provided to the complainant. i.e. RICS Dispute Resolution Service.
Who should be a sole practictioners Complaints Handling Officer?
A nominated person from another firm.
What are the CPD requirements for members?
20 Hours with 10 formal
Maintain a relevant and current understanding of the Rules of Conduct
Must record their CPD activity using the RICSCPD Management System by 31st Jan each year.
What needs to occur in order for a negligence claim to be made?
When a duty of care is breached and their has been a loss.
What are the negligence limitations periods under the Limitation Act 1990?
Current limitation periods for negligence are:
- Contract - 6 years from the date of the negligent act, breach of contract or omission.
Section 14A provides an alternative which is 3 years from the discovery of the negligence capped at 15 years from the negligent act.
- Tort - 6 years from the date the claimant suffered the loss.
What are the current minimum requirements based on turnover for PII?
£100k turnover - £250k
£100k - £200k turnover - £500k
£200k plus turnover - £1mil
What requirements of PII policies are there?
- Minimum levels
- Underwritten by an RICS approved insurer
- All policies should be on a claims made basis (policies cover claims that are made during the period, regardless of when the negligenct act occured)