Hot Topics

Question 1

General Election - What are the conservative party pledging in the upcoming election?

Answer 1

Infrastructure - Money saved from the scrap the northern leg of HS2 (Birmingham > Manchester) saving 4.7b, invest more in midlands and northern infrastructure, specifically improving the transport links between Liverpool and Manchester

Housing - Pledge to build 250,000 in Cambridge as part of “Cambridge 2040” to become the silicon valley of Europe

Question 2

General Election - What are the labour party pledging in the upcoming election?

Answer 2

Infrastructure - “Get Britain building again” scheme promises to increase construction, Carry out investigation into existing HS2 cost overruns to avoid the same happening for future project

Housing - Build 1.5m new homes in next 5 years by focusing on the construction of new towns

Question 3

Covid-19 - Can you tell me any publications issued by the RICS around Covid-19?

Answer 3

“Guidance to surveying document” which provides guidance around surveying safely in line with government guidelines

Question 4

Covid-19 - What was the impact of covid-19 on the construction industry?

Answer 4

1) Material shortages & cost increases - specifically steel, plasterboard and plastic
2) Labour shortages due to travel restrictions
3) Productivity loss due to government social distancing regulations
4) Site closures

Question 5

Covid-19 - How were delays and cost increases caused by covid-19 treated in the construction industry?

Answer 5

JCT
Delays - Force majeure claims
Loss & expense - costs recovered for productivity loss and need for specialist systems such as temperature scanners and masks

NEC
Early warning issued
Instructions for safe stops on government schemes including northern line, dealt with a compensation event.

Question 6

Covid-19 - What advise was given to mitigate cost increases during the covid-19 pandemic?

Answer 6

Secure early order for subcontracts with inflating materials costs such as steelwork and plasterboard.

Question 7

BREXIT - How did Brexit impact the construction industry?

Answer 7

1) Free movement of labour throughout Europe ended 31/12/2020
2) Greater regulation around the employment of non British citizens
3) Reduced labour availability and costs to employ
4) Tariff charges introduced for the purchase of materials oversea
5) Additional border security costs
6) Increases to the prices of materials as a result

Question 8

BREXIT - Has the RICS issued any publications around Brexit?

Answer 8

Yes, the RICS has issued a number of position statements including the encouragement of growth and diversity within the UK construction workforce

Question 9

RAAC - What is RAAC?

Answer 9

Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete

1) Lightweight concrete used between 1950 - 1990
2) Consists of bubbles which soak water and damage its structural stability due to rusting of the rebar
3) Found mostly on roofs but sometimes walls and floors
4) Used mostly in public sectors (schools and hospitals)

Question 10

RAAC - What is advised if you believe a building may consist of RAAC?

Answer 10

1) HSE advise an investigation to be carried out and specialist contacted if present
2) Government to remove all RAAC from buildings

Question 11

RAAC - How many case of RAAC’s have been located so far?

Answer 11

In the region of 234 buildings so far

Question 12

Hart vs Large Case Law - Can you summarise what happened in this case?

Answer 12

1) Large carried out a homebuyers report for the Harts valuing a property at £1.2m
2) The repot identified minor drainage issues only
3) The Harts purchased the property at the valuation price (£1.2m)
4) The Harts later discovered significant water ingress and damp issues
5) Hart perused Large for negligence based on his valuation

Question 13

Hart vs Large Case Law - What did the court rule in this case?

Answer 13

1) Larges valuation was negligent
2) Hart was entitled to the difference between the valuation by Hart (£1.2m) and the valuation with defects

Question 14

RICS Futures Programme - What is the RICS futures programme?

Answer 14

A report conducted by the RICS based on current trends within the construction industry including mass urbamisation, new technology and data management.

Question 15

RICS Futures Programme - Can you give some examples of how the report intends to address some of the issues of the current construction trends?

Answer 15

1) Urbanisation - The amount of urban land doubled in china since 2000’s creating pollution and inflation issues - RICS encouraging the construction of buildings in outer urban locations
2) Data Management - Construction is 2nd biggest generator of data but with 95% of data being wasted - RICS to set up technology hub to put data to good uses
3) New technology - Use of drones in construction increased significantly but awareness of compliance risks are limited - RICS wishes to address this by producing online courses to use safely, legally and efficiently.

Question 16

RICS Leadership Updates - What is IPMS?

Answer 16

International Property Measurement Standard

Collation of 80 professional organisations

Question 17

RICS Leadership Updates - What changes have been made the IPMS?

Answer 17

Previously consisted of 3 different standards which were:

IPMS Office
IPMS Residential
IPMS Retail

Now consolidated this into 1 which is IPMS all buildings as per 2023.

Question 18

Use of social media - Can you name any RICS guidance notes on this topic?

Answer 18

“Use of social media: guidance for members”

Question 19

Use of social media - Can you give an overview on what the RICS guidance notes states?

Answer 19

1) Professional standards should not change on social media or personal life
2) Use social media in responsible and professional manner
3) Use professional and respectful language
4) Do not use dishonest posts
5) Investigations will be carried out if any of the above are executed

Question 20

Inclusive Employers Quality Mark - What is this?

Answer 20

A scheme to promote diversity and inclusion within the construction sector, it includes a pledge to continuously improve on 6 key principles.

Question 21

Inclusive Employers Quality Mark - What are the 6 key principles to continuously improve upon? Name at least 3.

Answer 21

1) Continuous improvement
2) Staff retention
3) Staff development
4) Staff engagement
5) Leadership and vision
6) Recruitment

Question 22

Levitt Report - What is the Levitt report?

Answer 22

The Levitt report was an external investigation carried out by Alisson Levitt on the governance of the RICS, following a treasury audit in 2018 which offered a ‘no assurance verdict’.

Question 23

Levitt Report - What were the conclusions of the Levitt report?

Answer 23

1) Internal power struggle due to two boards (management & executive board)
2) RICS governing council to have more oversight on internal dealings
3) RICS governing council to be briefed by management board and not just CEO
4) Governing council to oversea management bonuses
5) Greater transparency required
6) No evidence of illegal conduct discovered

Question 24

Bichard Review - What is the Birchard Review?

Answer 24

An independent review carried out by the RICS governance board in 2021 on governance, purpose and strategy of the RICS. It followed the Levitt report to give a new sense of purpose.

Question 25

Bichard Review - What recommendation did the Bichard report give? Please give at least 3

Answer 25

1) Separate commercial activities from other rics