Ethics Flashcards
How do the RICS ensure that standards and quality are maintained in terms of both the conduct and advice provided by chartered surveyors?
RICS has the Rules of Conduct for members and firms
Give your opinion on why the RICS has rules and codes of conduct?
- Consistency of service and approach, maintaining professional standards, governance and regulation
- Rules help members to act in a professional capacity
- Rules maintain and promote the usefulness of the profession for public advantage
Who administers the rules and codes of conduct?
RICS Regulation is the regulatory arm of the RICS and is responsible for ensuring that RICS members and firms behave in a professional manner and adhere to rules and regulations
What are the Rules of Conduct for members?
- Be honest and act with integrity
- Maintain their professional competence
- Provide good-quality and diligent service
- Treat others with respect and encourage diversity and inclusion
- Must act in the public interest, take responsibility for their actions and act to prevent harm and maintain public confidence in the profession
When did the New Rules of Conduct become effective?
Effective from 2 February 2022
What are the key changes from the previous Rules of Conduct?
- A simpler structure. Easier for RICS members and firms to understand our rules, providing more confidence for clients and the public.
- Clear examples. To help support members’ professional judgement, each Rule is illustrated with examples of how members and firms can behave to comply with the Rule. There are also 12 case studies showing real-life application of the Rules.
- Focusing on respect, diversity and inclusion. Whether it’s encouraging diversity and inclusion, or tackling modern slavery, respect and courtesy underpin all our professional ethics.
- Understanding evolving technology. The Rules highlight the importance of understanding the evolving use of data and technology, and the associated benefits and risks.
- Tackling global challenges. The Rules show that ethical practice by RICS members and firms has an important role when it comes to global challenges, including creating sustainable development and tackling climate change.
What are the professional obligations for RICS members?
- Members must comply with the CPD requirements set by RICS.
- Members must cooperate with RICS.
- Members must promptly provide all information reasonably requested by the Standards and
Regulation Board, or those exercising delegated authority on its behalf.
What are the professional obligations for RICS firms?
- Firms must publish a complaints-handling procedure, which includes an alternative dispute resolution provider approved by RICS, and maintain a complaints log.
- Firms must ensure that all previous and current professional work is covered by adequate and appropriate professional indemnity cover that meets the standards approved by RICS.
- Firms with a sole principal must make appropriate arrangements for their professional work to continue in the event of their incapacity, death, absence from or inability to work.
- Firms must cooperate with RICS.
- Firms must promptly provide all information reasonably requested by the Standards and Regulation Board, or those exercising delegated authority on its behalf.
- Firms must display on their business literature, in accordance with RICS’ published policy on designations, a designation to denote that they are regulated by RICS.
- Firms must report to RICS any matter that they are required to report under the Rules for the Registration of Firms.
You attend a work social event and witness two junior colleagues acting in a way that could likely bring the firm into disrepute. What should you do?
Speak to my colleagues immediately and address their actions formally in work
What are the different types of document that the RICS produce and what is their status?
- International Standards - Mandatory
- RICS Professional Statement - Mandatory
- RICS Code of Practice - Mandatory or recommended good practice
- RICS Guidance Note - Recommended best practice
- RICS Information Paper - Information and/or recommended best practice
- RICS Insight - Information only
- RICS Economic / Market Report - Information only
- RICS Consumer Guide - Information only
- Research - Information only
Why do we have guidance notes, and do you have to follow them?
- Outline best practice within the profession
- They should be followed and members should remain up to date to ensure they are competent
- Provides protection against professional negligence claim
What is the RICS Black Book Guidance Notes?
The “Black Book” is a suite of guidance notes that define good technical standards for quantity surveying and construction professionals
Can you explain how you act with integrity?
- Being trustworthy in all that you do
- Respecting confidential information
- Not offering or accepting gifts, hospitality or services which might suggest improper obligation
Can you explain how you take responsibility?
- Be accountable for all your actions
- If you think something is not right, be prepared to challenge it and raise the matter as appropriately with a colleague
- If someone makes a complaint against you, operate the appropriate CHP
Can you explain how you would treat others with respect?
- Be polite and respectful
- Never discriminate
Can you explain how you provide a high standard of service?
- Act within your scope of competence
- Communicate with clients in a way that allows them to make informed decisions
- Be clear about about what service your client wants and the service you are providing
Can you explain how you would maintain professional competence
- Only undertake work that they have the knowledge, skills and resources to
carry out competently - Undertake CPD
- Stay up to date and comply with relevant legislation, codes of practice and other professional and relevant technical standards.
What should employers do to create an ethical environment?
- Establish confidential setup for “whistle blowing” independent of the normal chain of command
- Include ethical evaluations into formal performance appraisals
- Include ethical standards into employee hiring, employment contracts and training
- Become chartered with the RICS
What is the difference between ethics and integrity?
Ethics are a set of standardised rules for conducting yourself normally
Integrity is more of a personal code of conduct (doing the right thing)
What tools are available to help members make ethical decisions?
RICS Ethics Decision Tree
After receiving inside information about a competitors quote, you consider altering the terms to win the job. You realise you may be promising more than you can deliver. What should you do?
- Potential Conflict of Interest
- Not working to the rules of conduct (providing a high standard of service)
Stand by original quotation as that is what you feel is required to carry out the works
What procedures must you follow if you are starting up a new firm?
- Contact the RICS for guidance
- Apply the RICS ensuring the Rules for Registration is being followed
- Appoint a contact officer for all RICS communications
- Prepare a complaints handling procedure
- Obtain PI and run off insurance cover
- Abide by the Rules of Conduct for firms
- Confirm whether will be handling client money
What determines when a firm has to register with RICS?
If the number of Principles is over 50%
What sort of information has to be submitted within the RICS Annual Return?
- Type of business and staffing
- Nature of clients
- Complaints handling procedure details and log
- PI Insurance Certificate
- Whether the firm holds client money