Hot Topics

Question 1

Impact of the Grenfell tower disaster?

Answer 1

• Fire Safety Act 2021 was introduced.
• RICS Guidance note ‘Cladding for Surveyors 1st Edition March 2021’
• ACM cladding in use was thought to contain combustible materials that contributed towards the spread of fire across the external elevation of the building.
• UK government has now banned the use of combustible materials on high rise (Above 18m) homes from 29th November 2018

Question 2

What was the Levitt Report?

Answer 2

Background: The Levitt Report reviewed the 2018 RICS governance scandal, triggered by RICS extending its overdraft without informing the management board.

Findings:
- Poor governance structure and unclear roles led to weak scrutiny of leadership.
- CEO and COO operated with little accountability.

Conclusion: The scandal was rooted in governance failures and lack of effective oversight.

Question 3

What was agreed at COP26?

Answer 3

• Explicit plan to reduce use of coal which is responsible for 40% of annual CO2 emissions.
• Commitment to ‘phase down’ rather than ‘phase out’ coal after a late intervention by China and India.
• Pledge to significantly increase money to help developing countries cope with the effects of climate change and make the switch to clean energy.

Question 4

What is the RICS Inclusive Employer Quality Mark?

Answer 4

Scheme aimed to improve diversity and inclusion
Employers pledge to improve the following
o Leadership and Vision.
o Recruitment.
o Staff development.
o Staff retention.
o Staff engagement.
o Continuous improvement.

Question 5

What was the Birchard Review?

Answer 5

Internal review of the RICS of its purpose, governance, and strategy, following the Levitt Review.
It made 36 recommendations, including:

• Enhancing RICS technology.
• Strengthening the voice of younger members through improved governance and a representative on the Governing Council.
• Establishing a Diversity and Inclusion Panel to advise the Board and Standards and Regulation Board.
• Creating a Public Interest Panel to advise the Governing Council.
• Separating commercial activities, with leadership from an executive with strong commercial experience.

Question 6

What are the differences between professional standards and practice information?

Answer 6

Professional Standards: Mandatory requirements for RICS members and firms, focusing on competence and ethical behaviour, using “must” for obligations and “should” for best practice.

Practice Information: Non-mandatory guidance on delivering specific services or working in certain areas, including processes, toolkits, research, and technical advice.

Question 7

What is your understanding about how a RICS firm can use the RICS logo?

Answer 7

The logo is a registered trademark and should not be altered
(Colour, layout, font etc.)

Question 8

How has Brexit effected the UK Property & Construction
industry?

Answer 8

Movement of personell
Movement of materials
Material cost increases

Question 9

What is the New Fire Safety Act 2021?

Answer 9

The Act clarifies that responsible persons (RPs) for multi-occupied residential buildings must manage and reduce the risk of fire.

Applies to the structure and external walls of the building, including cladding, balconies and windows, and entrance doors to individual flats that open into common parts.

1. Identify and remediate dangerous cladding/materials.
2. Implement interim safety measures for building occupancy.

Question 10

What happened at COP 27

Answer 10

COP27 took place in Egypt focused on ‘loss and damage’ from extreme weather.

Agreed on a $100bn annual fund from richer nations to support vulnerable countries.

Emphasis was on climate damage funding, with insufficient focus on mitigation.

Key targets (carbon emissions peak before 2025, phasing down fossil fuels) were not included, seen as a failure.