Hot Topics Flashcards
What is the most recent guidance note for cladding?
Valuation of Properties in Multi-storey, Multi-occupancy Residential Buildings with Cladding 1st Edition 2021.
Effective from April 2021.
What are the 3 main cladding systems of concern?
Aluminium Composite Material (ACM)
High Pressure Laminate (HPL)
Metal Composite Material (MCM)
What is Curtain Wall Glazing?
External wall cladding made of glass infill panels, with or without spandrel panels.
Spandrel Panel – Factory produced prefab panel used as a dividing wall or in place of a gable block wall. Usually of OSB board and plasterboard construction.
What is the criteria for when an EWS1 form should be required?
Follow the Decision Tree
Mainly looking for:
i. Properties of 6 storeys with cladding
ii. Properties over 4 storeys with cladding over 25%
iii. Properties over 4 storeys with stacked balconies (combustible)
What are the new Indemnity Insurance Requirements for 2022 and when were they introduced?
Effective from April 2022
For larger companies with a turnover in excess of £10mil, there is no maximum limit of uninsured excess.
What is uninsured excess?
The amount due to be paid before any indemnity is granted
(Think of it as a fee due before you can claim).
What does Indemnity mean?
A type of insurance compensation paid for damage or loss
Or can refer to an exemption from liability for damages
(think of a property going down in value, we aren’t responsible for that).
Who sets the minimum and maximum levels of indemnity insurance?
The RICS
When were the updated Rules of Conduct implemented?
a. 2nd February 2022
What are the main changes to the new Rules of Conduct?
b. Change of wording of individual behaviours
c. Addition of encouragement of diversity and inclusion to Rule 4
What are the 5 Rules of Conduct?
Members and firms must be honest, act with integrity and comply with their professional obligations, including obligations to RICS.
Members and firms must maintain their professional competence and ensure that services are provided by competent individuals who have the necessary expertise
Members and firms must provide good-quality and diligent service
Members and firms must treat others with respect and encourage diversity and inclusion
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
What impact has the cost of living crisis had on your area of surveying?
Rising interest rates have resulted in the Bank of England increasing the base interest rate which has in-turn raised the cost of borrowing which directly impacts peoples ability to buy homes.
What impact has the conflict in Ukraine had on the UK property industry?
The increase in the cost of Russian gas and oil has directly impacted energy prices which has trickled down into the cost of commodities including steel, aggregates, timber, plastics etc. This has increased building costs.
How would you identify Japanese Knotweed?
a. Mature leaves are heart shaped with a flat end, like a shield
b. Young leaves are rolled back with deep red veins.
c. The stems are bamboo-like with obvious rings and purple speckles
d. Leaves shoot out alternatively in a zig-zag type pattern
e. Flowers bloom in late summer and are cream-white in colour and appear in spike clusters
f. In spring new shoots are asparagus like
What is the most recent guidance regarding JK?
a. Japanese Knotweed and Residential Property 1st Edition 2022
b. Effective 23 March 2022
Why can Japanese Knotweed be expensive to manage?
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 designates JK removal as “controlled waste” whereby only licensed organisations may remove it and it must be taken to a licensed waste facility.
Contaminated soil can cause issues with adding extensions, garden works etc
Who is the president and who is the CEO of the RICS?
President - Tina Paillet
CEO – Justin Young
What updates have their been to legislation regarding short term lets in Scotland?
- Changes made on 1st October 2022
-New hosts require to apply for a short-term let licence
-Existing hosts must apply for a licence before 1st October 2023
-Local authorities can designate ‘control areas’ where the change of use of a dwelling to a short term let will require planning permission.
For short term lets in Scotland what is a control area?
Local authorities can designate ‘control areas’ where the change of use of a dwelling to a short term let will require planning permission.
For short terms lets in Scotland, when must existing and new hosts apply for a licence?
New hosts require to apply for a short-term let licence
Existing hosts must apply for a licence before 1st October 2023
When were the rules regarding short term lets in Scotland updated?
October 2022
When was COP 27 held?
November 2022
What were the five key takeaways form the COP27 conference?
Establishing a dedicated fund for loss and damage due to climate change events such as floods, droughts etc
Keeping to the 1.5 degree limit as the globe is currently not on course to manage this
Holding businesses and institutions to account when it comes to their commitments to climate change
Providing financial support to developing countries to improve sustainability
Focus on implementing the plan, not just discussing it.
What are the management categories for Japanese Knotweed?
Category A – Action – Visible damage
Category B – Action – JK is likely to prevent use of a property
Category C – Manage – Not causing damage and not likely to restrict use
Category D – Report – Neighbouring infestation but none to subject
If JK is present on a neighbouring site, how close does it have to be to the subject boundary to cause a concern?
3 meters
What is RAAC construction and why is it an issue?
Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete
Lightweight material mostly used for flat roofing, floors and walls from 1950 - 1990
The Building Research Establishment found excessive deflection and cracking to properties with RAAC
When was RAAC construction introduced and where would you find it?
Used from 1950 - 1990
Found in flat roofs, floors and walls
What defects are associated with RAAC construction?
Cracking and deflection causing compromised structural integrity
What legislation is there in relation to Japanese Knotweed (and other invasive species)?
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Environmental Protection Act 1990
What updates have there been to legislation regarding short term lets in Scotland?
Changes made on 1st October 2022
New hosts (from October 2022) require to apply for a short-term let licence
Existing hosts must apply for a licence before October 2023
Local authorities can designate ‘control areas’ where the change of use of a dwelling to a short term let will require planning permission.
For short term lets in Scotland what is a control area?
Local authorities can designate ‘control areas’ where the change of use of a dwelling to a short term let will require planning permission.
For short terms lets in Scotland, when must existing and new hosts apply for a licence?
New hosts require to apply for a short-term let licence
Existing hosts must apply for a licence before 1st October 2023
When were the rules regarding short term lets in Scotland updated?
1st October 2022
What are the mandatory conditions set out in the Short-Term Licensing Scheme 2022?
Repairing standard
Fire Safety
Gas Safety Certificate (within last 12 months)
EICR (last 5 years)
PAT
Legionella Risk Assessment
Building Insurance
Local council conditions
What EPC requirements for private rented properties are set out in the Heat in Buildings Strategy 2022 update?
Scottish Government plan to introduce regulations in 2025 whereby private rented properties will require an EPC rating of C by 2028 (where feasible to do so).
By what year does the Heat in Buildings Strategy 2022 propose to prohibit all buildings from using direct emissions heating systems?
2045
How does the Scottish Government intend to transition from using direct emission heating systems in all homes?
Proposes to legislate all homes to use ZDE (Zero Direct Emissions) systems by 2045
What heating requirements are proposed for new build properties?
All homes built under a building warrant applied for after April 2024 will require a heating system that produces zero direct greenhouse gas emissions.
When were combustible materials banned in new build properties in Scotland, England and Wales?
Scotland – June 2022
England & Wales – March 2019
What legislation is in place banning the use of combustible materials for new build properties in Scotland, England and Wales?
Scotland – Building Scotland (Amendment) Regulations 2022
England and Wales – Building (Amendment) Regulations 2018
How is the RICS Structured?
Following the Bichard Review in 2022:
Remember GRSAR
Governing Council
RICS Board
Standards and Regulations Board
Assigned Risks Pool Panel
Regulatory Tribunal
