Ethics Level 3 Flashcards
Give me an example of when you have acted with integrity?
I always carry out conflict of interest checks before starting a new instruction to ensure that any advice is not impaired or compromised
Do you have anymore examples of integrity?
When I held a pre-start meeting with a contractor for external decoration works that had already been approved by my client, I discovered that a window had been left out of the specification meaning the works had been under costed
I had to request additional funds from my client. Instead of leaving the window, I was honest + transparent with my client + owned up to my mistake of missing it off the original specification
Tell me about when you have provided a high standard of service.
When providing valuation reports to my client, I ensure to complete these within the pre-agreed timescales, which is usually 10 days from the date of inspection by my firm’s policy
Tell me about how you have promoted trust in the profession.
I have represented my firm and profession in several volunteering opportunities. To raise awareness of homelessness, I represented my firm at LandAid, and I have been actively involved in our efforts for Pride month activities. I have also identified and coordinated an opportunity for my firm to provide Christmas presents to orphaned children in Ukraine.
Explain how you have taken responsibility in your current role.
When proposing a scope of works to my client, they asked me to cut costs on scaffolding by using a scaffold tower instead of full scaffolding. Conscious of the health and safety implications of this, I explained that this would not be an option and escalated the issue with my senior management.
Tell me about how you treat clients with respect.
I work cooperatively with them + make the effort to attend co-working days hosted in their office once a fortnight
Regardless of who they are, I treat my clients equally, giving everyone fair opportunity to express their opinions
Tell me about how you treat other surveyors with respect.
I treat others fairly, equally + do not discriminate based on anyone’s individual characteristics
Explain the key steps you would take if you decided to set up in practice as a sole trader after qualifying.
- Register with HMRC
- Register with RICS
- Obtain insurance (PII, public liability, employer’s liability insurance)
- Register for data protection (DPA 2018 + GDPR)
- Disclose business name
- Appoint Money Laundering Reporting Officer
- Appoint Complaints Handling Officer
- Ensure compliance with H&S regulations
If a prospective purchaser offered you a financial incentive to accept their offer explain how you dealt with this.
- I would politely decline this offer to maintain professional integrity
- Inform Compliance Officer about offer
- Keep record of incident, including details on offer + actions undertaken
What would you do if you were asked by a client to reduce a fee proposal to win new work?
- I would determine whether the requested fee basis is feasible without compromising the quality of the work ensuring that the negotiated fee basis is not seen to be undercutting another firm + market-based
What would you do if you became suspicious that a client was involved in money laundering?
- I would avoid alerting my client to my suspicion
- Would report suspicion through a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) to the National Crime Agency
- Would keep detailed records observations of any evidence + actions taken
What would you do if you became suspicious that a client was involved in terrorist activities?
- I would avoid alerting my client to my suspicion
- Would report suspicion through a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) to the National Crime Agency
- Would keep detailed records observations of any evidence + actions taken
If you were to set up in practice on your own tell me about the types of insurance you would need.
- Public liability insurance (covers claims from injuries or property damage that occur on premises)
- Employer’s liability insurance (protects against claims from employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses)
- Building insurance (covers damage to loss to practice premises caused by events, e.g. fires, floods)
Did you hold your clients money in relation to the M Pleasant example?
How did you do this and comply with RICs rules?
Was it necessary to hold money?
You referred a client to your CHP- when were they informed about the existence of this?
Can you talk me through it?
What advice would you offer if they remained unhappy?
How would you respond if they left you a negative review online?
