General RICS Flashcards
Please list the Rules of Conduct for Members and Firms?
Rule 1 – Members and firms must be honest, act with integrity and ensure they comply with their professional obligations, including those with the RICS.
Rule 2 – Members and firms must maintain their professional competence and ensure that services are carried out by competent individuals with the necessary expertise.
Rule 3 – Members and firms must provide a good quality and diligent service
Rule 4 – Members and firms must treat others with respect and encourage diversity and inclusion
Rule 5 – Members and firms must act in the public interest, take responsibility for their actions and act to prevent harm and maintain public confidence in the profession.
Can you provide example behaviours to comply with Rule 1?
Members and firms are open and transparent about their fees and services.
Can you provide example behaviours to comply with Rule 2?
Members and firms only undertake work that they have the knowledge, skills and resources to.
Can you provide example behaviours to comply with Rule 3?
Members and firms agree with clients the scope of the service to be provided and its limitations and timescales of the work.
Can you provide example behaviours to comply with Rule 4?
Members and firms do not bully, victimise, or harass anyone.
Can you provide examples behaviours to comply with Rule 5?
Members and firms respond to complaints made against them promptly and professionally.
Please can you list core professional obligations for members detailed in Rules of Conduct Appendix A?
- Members must comply with the CPD requirements set by the RICS.
- Members must cooperate with RICS.
- Members must promptly provide all information reasonably requested by the Standards and Regulation Board.
Are you aware of any RICS regulation on the use of social media accounts?
Use of social media: guidance for RICS members. The overall message is that standards of members do not change because they are communicating through social media.
Please can you list core professional obligations for firms detailed in Rules of Conduct Appendix A?
- Firms must publish a complaints handling procedure, which includes an alternative dispute resolution provider approved by RICS and a complaints log.
- Firms must ensure that all previous and current work is covered by adequate and appropriate professional indemnity insurance.
- Firms with a sole principal must make appropriate arrangements for their professional work to continue in the event of their absence (locum).
- Firms must cooperate with the RICS.
- Firms must promptly provide information requested by the Standards and Regulation Board.
- Firms must display their business literature, in accordance with RICS’ published policy.
- Firms must report to RICS any matter that they are required to report under the Rules and Regulations for Firms.
Say you attend a work social event and witness two junior colleagues acting in a way which could bring your firm into disgrace. What would you do in this situation?
I would speak with them immediately and take steps to prevent reputational damage or embarrassment. I would then address their actions formally in working hours.
Why does RICS publish guidance notes and do Chartered Surveyors have to follow them?
If a surveyor faces a professional negligence claim or RICS regulatory or disciplinary proceedings, they will need to be able to evidence that they acted with reasonable competence. This can be achieved by complying with RICS guidance publications.
What is the ‘Black Book’?
The ‘Black Book’ is a collection of technical practice documents which covers all processes throughout the construction project life cycle. The document are essential development tools for junior professionals working through their APC.
Can you briefly explain the purpose of a Professional Standard document?
Mandatory requirements that surveyors must follow where the word ‘must’ is used. Nest practice that surveyors should follow where the word ‘should’ is used. Examples are “Rules of Conduct”, “Conflicts of Interest”, “Bribery, Corruption, Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing”, “Client Money documents”.
Can you briefly explain the purpose of a Practice Information document?
This is supplementary guidance to support surveyors. The guidance is not mandatory.
Can you explain how you act with integrity?
Being trustworthy in all that I do, being open and transparent in the way I work, Respecting confidential information, Not allowing bias through conflicts of interest.
Why must you act within your professional capabilities/competence?
To ensure I do not advise my clients incorrectly which could lead to a complaint or claim of negligence.
Can you explain how you take responsibility?
Be accountable for all my actions. Always act with skill, care, and diligence. Willing to challenge and issues.
How do you provide a high standard of service when executing your professional appointment?
I always ensure my client receive the best possible advice. Always acting within my scope. Ensuring project folders and well maintained and contain sufficient information upon client requests. Being transparent with my fees.
Can you explain how you promote trust in the profession?
Understanding how my actions will affect others. Fulfilling my professional obligations. Acting in a trustworthy manner in both my professional and private life.
Can you clarify what an individual should do to maintain a high ethical standard in their profession?
Maintain CPD. Follow advice given by professional bodies. Noting any unethical behaviour and reporting this. Help their organisation to develop ethical ways of working.
What sort of things can employers do to create an ethical environment for their staff?
Establish confidential procedures for ‘whistle blowing’. Include ethical evaluations in formal performance appraisals. Promoting CPD in the relevant area. Encouraging their staff to undertake the APC. Making employees undertake mandatory training in the area.
What is the difference between ethics and integrity?
Integrity is the internal quality of being honest and having strong morals. Ethics is more external and applies to an organisations rule, regulations, code of conduct that have been created to allow employees to work following moral principles.
Are you aware of any tools produced by RICS to help members make ethical decisions?
RICS have produced an ethics decision tree.
Are you aware of any rules associated with registering a firm with RICS?
Rules for the registration of firms.
When is a firm require to register for regulation?
A firm is required to register for regulation by the RICS if:
The firm provides surveying services to the public.
The firm is operating in Regulated Area A (UK).
At least 50% of the firm’s Principals are RICS members
In which circumstances are firms eligible to register for regulation?
A firm is eligible to register for regulation by RICS if;
The firm provides surveying services to the public
At least 25% of the firm’s Principals are RICS members
What is a locum?
A firm which has a sole principal must have in place appropriate arrangements in the event of that sole principal’s death, incapacity or other extended absence. A locum is effectively another professional who is appointed to ‘stand in’ for the surveyor.
Who can be a locum?
Typically, another Chartered Surveyor, although hey could also be a solicitor or accountant.