Hot Topics 2024 Flashcards
Are you aware of any guidance that applies to RICS Members
when using Social Media?
The RICS introduced the Guidance Note ‘Use of Social Media: Guidance for Members Version
1.
When did the RICS guidance note on social media take affect?
This took affect from 30th June 2021.
How do you ensure you operate inline with RICS guidance on the
use of Social Media?
- I am always sure to use social media in a responsible and professional manner in the same way
that I communicate via face to face or other written forms of communication. - I am sure to use professional and respectful language when communicating and understand the
responsibility in representing the RICS. - I would never make a post that is dishonest or would cause offence in any way.
- I realise that this could potentially undermine public confidence and trust in the profession.
When would the RICS investigate a Social Media post made by
one of its members?
An investigation may take place if a social media post is:
o Discriminatory.
o Dishonest.
o Abusive or threatening.
o Likely to cause significant harm, distress or offence to a person.
o Shows a pattern of frequent or large number of concerning communications.
o Ignores previous advice or warnings about concerns.
What significant event in 2019 affected fire safety insurance cover in the professional indemnity insurance market?
The Grenfell Disaster
What was the insurers’ response following an increase in insurance claims after the Grenfell Disaster?
Insurers applied blanket fire safety exclusions.
How did the removal of fire safety insurance cover impact surveying firms?
Many surveying firms were unable to obtain fire safety cover, leaving them exposed on previously completed instructions and unprotected for future work.
Which organization worked with insurers in 2020/21 to restrict blanket fire safety exclusions?
The RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors).
What was the agreement between RICS and insurers in May 2021 regarding fire safety exclusions?
Fire safety exclusions could be used but would not apply to work on properties with four or fewer storeys above ground level.
What must insurers do to participate in the RICS insurance market?
Sign the agreement that includes the conditions for fire safety exclusions.
How is protection for professionals completing EWS1 assessments provided?
Protection is limited and available on a case-by-case basis at insurers’ commercial discretion.
What is the name of the new scheme being launched by RICS to improve diversity and inclusion?
The Inclusive Employer Quality Mark.
Are EWS1 forms covered under the RICS’ policy wording?
No, cover for completion of EWS1 forms remains excluded from RICS’ policy wording.
Which sector is the Inclusive Employer Quality Mark aimed at?
The property and construction sector.
What must employers do to participate in the RICS Inclusive Employer Quality Mark scheme?
Pledge their commitment to adopting and continually improving against six principles.
What are the six principles of the RICS Inclusive Employer Quality Mark?
Leadership and Vision, Recruitment, Staff Development, Staff Retention, Staff Engagement, and Continuous Improvement.
How often must firms assess their performance against the Inclusive Employer Quality Mark criteria?
On a bi-annual basis.
What will RICS do with the assessment information from participating firms?
Document the outcomes and trends for the profession as a whole.
What branding can firms use after committing to the RICS Inclusive Employer Quality Mark?
“Signatory to the RICS Inclusive Employer Quality Mark.”
What are the advantages of hybrid working ?
Improved work–life balance.
Greater ability to focus with fewer distractions.
Saved commuting time and cost.
Savings on office space.
Higher levels of employee job satisfaction.
What are the disadvantages of hybrid working ?
Loss of social connection.
Reduced collaboration.
Productivity can be dependent on quality of workspace.
Less recognition.
Risk of burnout.
What was the case of Hart vs Large about?
It was a high court case relating to a dispute between purchasers, Mr & Mrs Hart, and their surveyor, Mr Large.
What type of report did Mr. Large carry out on the property in the Hart vs Large case?
He carried out a Level 2 Home Buyer Report.
What issues did Mr & Mrs Hart experience with the property?
They experienced problems with damp and water ingress.
What were the reasons the court ruled that Mr. Large was negligent?
He failed to identify issues relating to damp, failed to advise the purchaser to obtain a Professional Consultants Certificate, and failed to recommend further investigations regarding the property’s condition.
Why is the Hart vs Large case important for surveyors?
It highlights the need to report on any uninspected building elements, recommend further investigations for suspected defects, and advise obtaining a Professional Consultants Certificate for recently refurbished properties to protect purchasers from concealed defects.
What was the Birchard Review?
The Birchard Review was an independent review commissioned by the RICS Governing Board in December 2021 into the purpose, governance, and strategy of the RICS.
Why was the Birchard Review commissioned?
It was commissioned following the Levitt Review and aimed to create a new sense of purpose and direction for the RICS.
How many recommendations did the Birchard Review advise on?
36 recommendations.
What are some of the recommendations being implemented from the Birchard Review?
Separating commercial activity, giving younger members a stronger voice, setting up a Diversity and Inclusion Panel, improving technology, and setting up a Public Interest Panel.
What changes will be made to the RICS governance structure?
It will be updated to include a Public Interest Panel, Sustainability Panel, Commercial Committee, and Audit, Risk, Finance & Assurance Committee.
What are the main benefits of Diversity & Inclusion?
Attract skilled professionals from diverse backgrounds.
Establishes a sense of belonging among employees.
Encourage employees to feel more connected.
Increases productivity.
Reduces staff turnover.
Allows employees to feel valued and accepted.
What is the purpose of the ‘Diversity & Inclusion leadership’ setup by the RICS?
It serves as a knowledge hub for sharing ideas on why diversity & inclusion is important to the RICS.
What initiatives have been included under the ‘Diversity & Inclusion leadership’?
Initiatives such as International Women’s Day celebrations, Pride 2023 focusing on LGBTQ+ equality, and the McGregor-Smith Review aimed at developing black and ethnic minority talent within the profession.
What is the focus of International Women’s Day celebrations under the ‘Diversity & Inclusion leadership’?
Celebrating the achievements of women in the profession
What does Pride 2023, an initiative under the ‘Diversity & Inclusion leadership’, focus on?
It focuses on LGBTQ+ equality and the importance of LGBTQ+ representation in the profession.
What is the aim of the McGregor-Smith Review mentioned under the ‘Diversity & Inclusion leadership’?
The aim is to develop black and ethnic minority talent within the profession.
What is the purpose of Practice Information?
Practice Information provides supporting guidance to advise surveyors in delivering specific services or working in specific areas of practice.
What do Professional Standards contain?
They contain mandatory requirements that surveyors must follow (indicated by ‘must’) and best practices that surveyors should follow (indicated by ‘should’).
What are the two new definitions for Professional guidance introduced by RICS split into?
Professional Standards and Practice Information.
What do Professional Standards focus on?
They focus on baseline expectations for competence and ethical behavior for RICS members and regulated firms.
Is Practice Information mandatory for surveyors to follow?
No, Practice Information is not mandatory, and it does not provide explicit recommendations.
What are the two categories into which the guidelines around the use of the RICS logo are split?
Rules of Conduct for Firms’ use of the RICS logo and designation, and Guidelines for Personal Use of the RICS logo.
Who approves the detailed information regarding correct usage of the RICS logo?
The Standards and Regulation Board.
What rights do qualified RICS members have regarding the use of the RICS logo?
They have the right to use the logo for personal use, such as on business cards and personal email signatures.
What are some specific rules regarding the presentation of the RICS master logo?
The font and color of the logo must not be adjusted, and there should be a minimum clearance around the logo equivalent to the size of the capital “R” in RICS.
Why have the RICS changed their membership card ?
offers a more sustainable alternative to the plastic membership cards and forms part of the
RICS’ efforts to make the profession more sustainable and cost effective.
Are you aware of the changes the RICS recently made around its
use of Membership Cards?
It used to be a plastic card now its a digital card
What does IPMS stand for?
IPMS stands for the International Property Measurement Standards.
When was the International Property Measurement Standards coalition formed?
It was first formed in 2013.
How many global professional organizations make up the IPMS coalition?
80 global professional organizations.
What are some versions of the IPMS standards targeted at specific industry sectors?
IPMS Office, IPMS Residential, and IPMS Retail.
What standard supersedes all previous versions and was introduced in January 2023?
IPMS All Buildings.
What role has the RICS played in the IPMS coalition?
The RICS has been a pivotal member since the coalition’s inception, providing consultation and advice to its members.
When was IPMS All Buildings introduced?
IPMS All Buildings was introduced in January 2023.
What does IPMS All Buildings supersede?
It supersedes all previous standards.
What types of buildings does IPMS All Buildings apply to?
It applies to all buildings irrespective of their use or sector class.
What are some key updates to the IPMS All Buildings standard?
Updates include adopting a shorter and more concise format, unique definitions to prevent confusion, organizing into four volumes for different professional groups, and encouraging global adoption.
How many volumes is IPMS All Buildings organized into?
It is organized into four volumes.
Why was IPMS All Buildings organized into four volumes?
To cater to different professional groups in various scenarios and encourage global adoption by simplifying the standards.
What is the definition of Internal Dominant Face set out in within the IMPS?
The inside surface area comprising more than 50% of the lowest
2.75m measurement vertically from the structural floor surface, or to the ceiling if lower, for each
wall section.
What is the definition of Component Area set out in within the IMPS?
The floor area attributed to one of the components.
What is the definition of Component set out in within the IMPS?
One of the main elements into which the floor area of a building can be allocated.
What is the definition of Standard Facilities set out in within the IMPS?
Shared areas in a building that typically do not change over time, such as
circulation areas, stairs, escalators, lifts/ elevators, toilets, cleaners cupboards, plant rooms, fire
refuge areas and maintenance rooms.
What is your view of the IPMS Updates?
I think the IPMS when established globally will provide an extremely useful set of measurement
standards that will hopefully negate ambiguity across international markets, but the UK has been slow to adopt the IPMS due to a familiarity and preference of the
existing standards.
When did the RICS release an updated UK supplement of the Red book ?
January 2022
Why did the RICS update the RICS Red Book ?
to update its recommendations around mandatory rotation cycles for regulated valuations.
What do the new rules in the RICS Red Book Mean ?
The new rules mean that firms undertaking valuations for regulation purposes will not be able to
repeat this service for more than ten consecutive years.
When did the new rules take affect?
1st May 2024
What are the impacts of Brexit on the UK property & Construction industry?
- Movement in personnel
- Movement of materials
- Material Cost Increases
How has personnel been effected by Brexit?
Movement of people is restricted, meaning its harder for employers to employ someone from outside the UK. The restrictions have led
How has materials been affected by Brexit?
The price of goods moving across the border is expected to increase due to the additional border
checks and administrative work.
The new Uk trade agreement with the Eu has lead to material shortages and price increases but shouldn’t have a long term effect.
Despite cross border tariffs not being introduced, the additional administrative work and checks
in my experience are slowing down the supply of labour and materials.
This has subsequently resulted in cost increases and availability issues in particular in the cost of:-
Steel.
Plastic components.
Cement.
Plasterboard.
Skilled and non-skilled labour.
What has the RICS provided in response to Brexit concerns?
The RICS has provided a number of position statements highlighting its concerns and issues with Brexit on a sector-by-sector basis.
What does the RICS suggest the UK government should do to make Brexit work for a post-EU UK?
The RICS outlines actions the UK government should take, such as encouraging growth and diversity in the construction workforce and addressing funding gaps left by the loss of EU funding streams.
Why is encouraging the growth and diversity of the construction workforce important according to the RICS?
Because the potential loss of non-UK workers, who currently account for 12.6% of the workforce, could create significant issues.
How does EU membership benefit the UK’s project delivery, according to the RICS?
EU membership provides access to funding streams such as the European Investment Bank (EIB), which significantly impact project delivery.
What does the RICS call for regarding the European Investment Bank (EIB) funding?
The RICS calls for the UK Government to either retain EIB funding or introduce a new lending mechanism to fill the gap and prevent a lack of infrastructure investment.
What is the title of the RICS Guidance note published to support surveyors working on multi-storey and multi-occupancy residential buildings?
“Cladding for Surveyors 1st Edition March 2021.”
What is the aim of the RICS Guidance note on cladding?
To improve surveyors’ knowledge of external wall cladding systems that may be considered within the External Wall Fire Review.
What useful features does the RICS Guidance note on cladding provide?
It provides illustrated examples of cladding systems.
What should a surveyor do if clients ask for advice on fire safety?
They should recommend that clients seek advice via a professional fire risk assessment, as fire safety falls outside the surveyor’s area of expertise.
What does ACM stand for ?
aluminum composite material
What is ACM cladding\ consist of?
It consists of two skins of aluminum bonded to either side of a lightweight core of materials such
as polyethylene or a mineral core aimed to provided insulating properties.
What was the issue with ACM cladding in use and relation to Grenfell ?
It was thought to contain combustible materials that contributed to the spread of fire across the external elevation of the building.
When did the UK government ban the use of combustible materials on high-rise homes?
The ban started on 29th November 2018.
What does the ban on combustible materials mean for new buildings?
What does the ban on combustible materials mean for new buildings?
What are local authorities required to do regarding existing buildings with dangerous ACM cladding?
They need to undertake remediation works to replace the dangerous ACM cladding.