Ethics - Level 3 Flashcards
What is the central purpose of the RICS?
- To maintain the highest standards of education and training
- To protect consumers through strict regulation of professional standards
- To be the leading source of information and independent advice on land, property, construction and associated environmental issues
How does the RICS ensure members abide by the Rules of Conduct for Members 2007?
Head of Regulation at the RICS investigates claims of misconduct. They have the power to:
1. Serve a Fixed Penalty Notice
2. Make a Regulatory Compliance Order
3. CPD sanctions
4. Refer to a Disciplinary Panel
Members have the right to appeal decision made at a Disciplinary Panel and going to an Appeal Panel.
What is the history behind the RICS?
The RICS was granted a Royal Charter in 1881.
What does the Royal Charter do?
The Royal Charter allows the RICS to be self governed. It maintains and promotes the usefulness f the profession for public advantage.
How do we get Bye-Laws?
Bye Laws are ratified by the Privy Council of UK Government
When were the Bye-Laws last updated?
February 2020
What does the RICS constitution consist of?
- The Royal Charter
- The 10 Bye Laws
- The Regulations
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What are the RICS regulatory goals known as?
The 5 principles for better regulation
How best to remember the 5 principles of better regulation?
PACTT
What are the 5 Global Professional and Ethical Standards?
- Act with INTEGRITY - be honest, open and transparent and avoid CoI
- Always provide a high level of SERVICE - the best advise to those who you have a professional responsibility towards
- Act in a way that promotes TRUST in the profession - act positively/professionally in private and professional life.
- Treat others with RESPECT - be courteous and respect cultural preferences.
- Take RESPONSIBILITY - be accountable for your actions.
Which two GPES resonate with you the most?
- Provide a high level of service
2. Promote trust in the profession - I deal with peoples homes and they are very precious over them.
What are the 6 steps required to set up a practice?
- Inform RICS
- Appoint a contact officer
- Obtain PII cover
- Set up a client account and procedures for client money
- Produce a CHP
- Arrange CPD and training for staff
Would you accept a gift or offer of hospitality from someone in a work capacity?
Gifts, hospitality and promotional activity are generally acceptable. However, it is linked with the Bribery Act 2010.
- If you are at all unsure, decline the gift.
- The Act defines acceptable gifts and hospitality
- The gift should be reasonable and proportionate
- The gift must be offered openly
- The gift should not be regular, cashier to influence decisions
If accepted;
- Act openly and transparently
- Keep a record on a gift register
- Consideration toward the value and timing
What 7 steps must you take for the handling of clients money?
- Clients must have access to funds
- Clients money must be keep separately and clearly identifiable
- Include ‘client’ in account name
- Interest must be agreed with client
- Maintain a client ledger of transactions
- Agree terms and inform client of bank details
- Account must never be over drawn
What are the RICS 5 principles for better regulation?
The RICS has a Royal Charter allowing them to be self governed. They are governed by the Bye-Laws and principles of better regulations (PACTT).
- Proportionality - make the penalty proportional to the breach
- Accountability - Regulators must be able to explain their actions under public scrutiny. Promote complete fairness
- Consistency - treat everyone equally
- Targeting - focusing on serious breaches
- Transparency - Regulations are simple, clear and effectively communicated to all members, clients and public.
Why does the RICS have Rules of Conduct?
- Provide framework for all members to work to
- So the client knows he is getting a set level of service
- They are an important tool for RICS and a useful tool for professional guidance for members.
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What sort of information do RICS firms have to send the RICS annually?
This is the annual return. Failure to do so leads to a penalty.
- Type of business and staffing
- Nature of clients
- Training provision
- CHP details and records
- PI insurance details
- Whether hold client money
what must a CHP include?
The RICS provide a model for firms to base their CHP on.
- The CHP must include a ADR mechanism, approved by RICS.
- The CHP must include two stages;
- Complaint considered by senior members of staff or complaints handling officer.
- If not resolved, referred to an independent 3rd party with authority to award redress. - It must include the names and contact details of investigating persons.
It must be clear, transparent, impartial and free of charge.
If you were chartered and a friend asks you for advise, what would you do?
- If I was not comfortable offering advice i would politely decline and advise them to use the RICS ‘find a surveyor scheme’
- If i was happy to advise, I would not offer advice without PII.
- If I have PII I would ensure all information given was subject to a thorough checking process.
- I would inform them to contact me during working hours to discuss T&Cs of appointment
- I would always ensure to where to Rules of Conduct.
What is PII?
Professional Indemnity Insurance - provide financial cover if a client suffers financial loss as a results of a breach of professional duty e.g. neglect or error.
What benefits does PII offer?
- The profession is protected from financial loss
- The firm does not have to pay for the damage from their own resources.
What basis should PII be underwritten?
On a claims made basis.
This is where the insurance policy that is in place at the time the breach is DISCOVERED is used to cover the claim. Not the policy in place at the time of the breach.
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Why was the Merrett Vs Babb case significant?
- Highlights importance of run-off cover.
- Professional individuals must ensure that run-off cover is in place after they leave their firm’s employment or the firm ceases trading.
- Individuals should ensure that their ex-company keeps up this cover on their behalf.
How long should run-off cover be in place off?
Run off cover is cover for a firm that has ceased trading, it protects the firm and its employees from future claims.
The length depends on type of contracts the professional has been involved in.
Usually 6 years if contract executed under hand.
Or 12 years if executed by deed.
What are the requirements regarding PII by the RICS?
- Must be made on an each and every basis.
- Gives minimum policy wording for firms and members
- Sets out minimum levels of indemnity required
- Sets out maximum levels of uninsured excess
- Run off cover in place for minimum of 6 years
- Cover in place for past and present employers, directors, and partners.
What are the minimum levels of indemnity/ how do you determine the level of PI cover?
This depends on the firms turnover.
- If turnover =< £100k = indemnity of £250k
- If turnover £100-£200k = indemnity of £500k
- If turnover >£500k = indemnity of £1m
what are the maximum levels of uninsured excess?
- Depends on the level of indemnity
- Up to £500k =greater than 2.5% of insured sum or £10,000
- > £500k = 2.5% of insured sum.
What measures should be taken to avoid PI claim?
- keep full, detailed record of meeting and conversations etc
- Record recommendations and advice given
- Use proper letter of engagement, scope of services and terms of engagement
- Dont advise on a specialism outside your field of experience
- Use RICS guidelines
- Avoid poor management and excessive workloads
If you put together a fee proposal, but a couple of months into the job you realise that you have under forecasted your resources, do you go back to the client and ask for more money?
- No, if the project has not changed, it is your fault for forecasting too low.
- Yes, if the project requirements (e.g. services, scope of works, value) has changed a fee increase could be negotiated
- DO NOT reduce the level of service you offered originally.
What are the CPD requirements?
- All RICS members must commit to lifelong learning
- New requirements January 2013
- All members must undertake and record appropriately lifelong training and on request provide evidence that they have done so to maintain/imrove levels of professional competent.
- All member must undertake a minimum of 20 hours CPD/year - half must be formal.
- Members must maintain a relevant and current understanding of RICS professional and ethical standards during a rolling 3 year period.
How is the RICS structured?
- Privy Council - Grated RICS Royal Charter
- Governing Council - elected members from around the world.
(3. Regulatory Tribunal (off on side on own) ?)
4. Standards and Regulations Board Management Board - inform and oversee RICS affairs Audit Committee Nominations Committee Presidential Nominations Committee
- Finance Committee
World Regional Boards and Market Advisory Panels
Remuneration Committee
What are the RICS Bye-Laws?
There are 10 REVISE THEM AND UNDERSTAND THEM. 1. Application and definitions 2. Membership and registration 3. Designations 4. Contributions to funds 5. CONDUCT 6. Governing council officers and staff 7. Subordinate Boards, committees and groups 8. Procedure for general meetings 9. Accounts and Audits 10. General
Who is the president of RICS?
Kathleen Fontana since December 2020.
What is Kathleen Fontana up to?
She has 5 priorities
- Build back better - climate change and sustainable development
- Data and technology - building the bridge between property and tech
- Professionalism - improved it
- Future of the workplace - how workplaces can support lifestyles positively
- Diversity and inclusion - equal opportunities for all
When was RICS established?
The Royal Charter was granted on 26th August 1881.
What is the RICS motto?
Est Modus in Rebus
There is measure in all things
If you were bidding for works and client said you can have the job but you to to beat the lowest price of a competitor of £12,000 what would you say?
This is a bribe - Bribery Act 2010 and goes against GPES.
- Unfair competition
- Not acting with integrity or honestly
- Not treating other surveyors with respect
- Can you offered the required level of service for the reduced fee?
- Devaluing the profession
- Business should not be conducted in the manner.
- Respectfully decline the offer
What is a consent order/ Regulatory Compliance Order?
A RCO is an agreement between RICS and a regulated member that they are liable for disciplinary action. A regulated member is an individual or firm.
The order states the action that the firm or member must take in a specified time period.
The Regulated Member admits that they have fallen short of the standards expected.
What is a fixed penalty?
An administration fine and/or caution issued by RICS when a regulated member fails to provide them with information that RICS have requested.
A procedure for breaches of the Rules relating only to the supply of information to the RICS.
Any fixed penalty issued and not rescinded will remain on a Regulated Member’s record for a defined period.
What are the principles of the bribery act?
Bribery is defined as “The offering, receiving, giving or soliciting of something of value for the purpose of influencing the action of an official in the discharge of his or her legal duties.”
The Act only applies to the bribery of local officials.
UK companies and foreign companies operating in the UK have the duty of having corporate measure in place to prevent bribery and have in place control measures. Companies have to pay a fine if they dont have control measure in places.
Individuals can receive a combination of a fine and imprisonment for up to 10 years to the are committed of bribery.
What are the principles of GDPR?
- Lawfulness, fairness, transparency
- Purpose limitation
- Data minimisation
- Accuracy
- Storage limitation
- Integrity and confidentiality (security)
- Accountability
What are the principles of Money Laundering Regulations 2017?
- The MLR 2017 set out additional obligations of private sector firms working in areas of higher money laundering risk. They aim to stop criminals using professional services to launder money by requiring professional to take a risk-based approach.
Your brother in law is a chartered surveyor. You find out he is working outside RICS rules and regulations, what do you do?
I verify the facts and confront him reminding him of his duties as a member of the RICS.
I would inform the RICS specifying my relationship to the person and any corrective action which I believe my brother in law is committed to put in place.
Can you tell me about a piece of CDP you completed recently?
State;
- Informal or formal - In house formal training held by director of BEL
- Learning objectives - Review of Fire Safety
- Outcome - Understanding of requirements and duties under RR (FS) O 2005
What is the difference between forma and informal learning?
- Formal - web based training with structured assessment, formal seminars, providing training to others where research and preparation is required.
- Informal - Private reading, internal CPDs, shadowing/mentoring trainee
How will you record CPD and return this to RICS?
CPD can be recorded on the RICS portal
Must record type, date, subject area, number of hours, learning objectives and outcome.
What is on the latest cover of Modus?
Be aware of current affairs in the industry
How do you keep up with current affairs and topical issues?
I am on the mailing list for ARMA news, IRPM technical updates and RICS updates.
I read Property Week.
I read the general news.
What is your CPD strategy?
- Meet with line manager bi-annually to discuss career development and set objectives
- From this I set CPD based on current topics/personal interests
- My main objectives for this year are to complete major works projects including boiler replacement.
Why do you want to become a Chartered Surveyor, over the ARMA qualification?
- Knowledge - The level of guidance and support from RICS will allow me to better serve my clients
- Recognition - RICS designation is highly valued and will further my career development and opportunities
- Professional development - To assist in improving industry standard for block management
- Networking - 130,000 professionals worldwide
What is the purpose of RICS?
- RICS promotes and enforces the high professional qualifications and standards in the development and management of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure.
- The work of RICS professionals is hugely varied and includes;
1. Providing the best guidance to industry professional and governments.
2. Influence best practice in the industry working policies
3. Protecting consumers and businesses
4. Developing assets in the built environment so they are fit for future generations.
What sets out the governance of the institution?
regulations and bye laws
How many qualified members are there?
over 130,000
What do you need to provide to become a FRICS?
Demonstrate 4 fellowship characteristics;
- MRICS for 4+ years
- Leadership role
- professional/technical achievement
- raising the profile of RICS
and a portfolio of professional achievement.
In the governance structure how many professional groups are there and what is their role?
17.
They outline the standards of competence and practice.
What is the UK structure?
- 4 National Assocations
- 10 Regional Boards
- Local Associations
- CEO Dr Sean Thompkins
- President - Kathleen Fontana
What is the role of the RICS?
To promote and enforce the highest professional qualifications and standards in the development and management of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure.
- Maintain highest standards of education and training
- Protect consumers through strict regulation
- To be leading source of information and independent advice.
What is the role of the RICS?
To promote and enforce the highest professional qualifications and standards in the development and management of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure.
- Maintain highest standards of education and training
- Protect consumers through strict regulation
- To be leading source of information and independent advice.
What are the benefits of being an RICS member?
- Status - professional credential provide unrivalled client confidence
- Recognition - promotion of professional excellence
- Market advantage - RICS status and standards gives competitive advantage
- Knowledge - RICS provide international practice standards and guidance
- Networking - access to 130,000 professionals worldwide
State a commonality between RoC for members and firms?
Rule 3 states that members and firms should act with integrity and avoid conflict of interest.
What is the ethical decision tree?
Framework for members to follow to determine how they should act in a situation.
Where can an RICS member go to if they have ethical concerns?
a senior member of staff or the RICS Regulation Confidential Hotline.