Hot Topics Flashcards
- MEES news?
a. Initially MEES meant that landlords would have to upgrade resi properties to a C by 2025 or 2028 depending on the type of tenancy
b. Now it has been scrapped
- RAAC?
a. The presence of RAAC in buildings and its potential to fail with little or no warning is receiving media attention at the moment following the closure of schools which are considered to be at risk
b. RAAC is a lightweight form of concrete commonly used in construction between the 1950s and mid-1990s. It is predominantly found as precast panels in roofs, commonly flat roofs, and occasionally in floors and walls
c. Within the residential sector, the RICS advise that they expect the exposure to be low. The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has also said that it believes RAAC is not widespread in social housing
- What is the minimum size for a single bedroom?
a. 6.5 sq m or 70 sq ft
- RICS has been in the headlines over the summer, specifically around the area of ethics regulations and standards. What is your understanding of this and how could this be seen as potentially damaging the RICS?
a. A number of members of the standards and Regulation Board resigned over the RICS’s governance failings and treatment of the board. So I think it’s very damaging to the RICS’s reputation as the standards and Regulations Board was set up in the 1st place as part of a review into the governance arrangements of the RICS
- Hubert vs Bank of Scotland
a. Mortgage val
b. Surveyor didn’t advise on cracking
c. Property suffered from subsidence
d. Borrower tried to sue surveyor
e. The duty of care wasn’t to the borrower
- Tell me about the renters reform bill?
a. Would abolish ASTs and the section 21 notice
b. PRS tenancies would be monthly periodic assured tenancies
c. Purpose of bringing this in is to provide greater security of tenure, and stop unfair rent increases
d. Landlords would not be able to deny a tenancy on the basis of a tenant having pets
e. Tenant’s would be able to appeal against a rent increase
f. Plans now delayed due to lobbying landlords – no changes to be made until there are reforms to the justice system
What is the RICS motto?
Est Modus in Rebus which translates to ‘there is proper measure in things
Home survey 1
- New homes and conventional properties
- Traffic light rating system
- No advice on repairs
- Reports on property condition
- Visual inspection
Home survey 2
- More info than level 1
- Extensive report on main elements of the building
- Advice on repairs
- Includes problems that may impact value
- Advice on legal issues
Home survey 3
- Older properties and those in disrepair
- Detailed assessment of property, it’s grounds and services
- Outlined visible defects and potential problems
- Includes advice to legal advisor
- May provide approximate cost of work
Any updates regarding fire safety?
- Two staircase rule – one for residents to exit and one for firefighters to enter
- What are the use classes?
a. Use Class B – Business that supply people
b. Use Class C – Locations where people sleep
c. C1 – Hotels
d. C2 – Residential Institutions
e. C2A – Secure residential institutions
f. C3 – Homes
g. C4 – HMOs
h. Use Class E – Commercial, Business and Service
i. Use Class F1 – Learning and non-residential institutions
j. Use Class F2 – Local community uses
k. Sui Generis – where the use class is not specified
What are the various types of dilapidations and claims? What are the defences?
a. Dilapidations refer to the repair and maintenance obligations of a tenant within a commercial lease. When a lease is coming to an end, the landlord typically has the right to claim for any disrepair or breaches of lease covenants by the tenant. Claims relate to:
i. Repairs
ii. Decoration
iii. Reinstatement
iv. Statutory compliance
v. Professional fees
b. Defence include:
i. Wear and tear
ii. Disputes against the level of repair
iii. Tenants can use a schedule of condition to limit their liability
iv. Counterclaims for landlords not meeting repair obligations
