HOT TOPICS 2025 Flashcards
What significant changes were made to the Building Safety Act (2022)?
- The role of the BSR was established to oversee all aspects of building safety in England.
- Introduced new duty holders including Principal Designer and Principal Contractor
What is the Building Safety Regulator’s (BSR) new role for higher-risk buildings in England?
- From October 2023 BSR became the Building Control Authority for all higher-risk buildings (HRBs) in England.
- Developers can no longer choose their building control body for HRBs (i.e. local
authority or private sector building control).
What is classified as an HRB?
- New residential buildings over 18 metres or 7 storeys, and hospitals and care homes meeting the same height threshold.
When must building control applications be submitted to BSR?
- Constructing a new higher-risk building
- Doing any building work on an existing higher risk building
- Doing work that turns a non-higher-risk building into a higher-risk one, such as changing its use.
- Doing work on a higher-risk building that makes it no longer higher-risk
What are MDTs?
- Multi-Disciplinary Teams
What is the role of MDTs?
- Team of experts to provide regulatory advice, conduct inspections and ensure compliance with building regulations for HRBs.
What are the three ‘gateway’ points in the higher-risk building regime?
- Gateway 1: Planning approval – ensuring fire safety is part of planning permission
- Gateway 2: Construction approval – where work can only start after BSR building control approval
- Gateway 3: Completion approval – where the higher-risk building must pass BSR checks before occupancy
What is the difference between Category A work and Category B work when I apply to carry out building work in an HRB?
- CAT A work involves significant alterations to the structure, safety, or design of a HRB building.
- Work which doesn’t significantly impact the structural, fire safety, or escape routes of the building is classified as CAT B.
Please explain your understanding of the Harris Debate?
- The Harris Debate is organised annually by the RICS and provides a platform to address ethical concerns in the field of surveying.
What was discussed at the Harris Debate in 2024?
- In 2024 the debate focused on the theme of Ethics in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and its impact on Valuation Practices.
What is your Economic Outlook for the 2025 UK Construction sector?
- The industry experienced a slowdown in 2024 due to rising material and labour costs with high inflation and interest rates keeping prices high.
- Due to falling inflation and small interest rate cuts towards the back end of 2024, material prices such as steel, chipboard and plastic piping are now softening.
- However, various geopolitical matters have caused uncertainty in all sectors which may impact the economic outlook for 2025.
What impact will AI have on the construction industry?
- AI can assist the estimating process by supporting estimators with data collection and processing
- Site safety AI powered cameras can scan sites to detect potential safety hazards
- Automation of construction tasks is also being carried out for repetitive and labour intensive tasks such as bricklaying, excavation, and welding.
- AI technology can use energy modelling software to adjust lighting, HVAC and security systems to reduce operating costs and improve energy efficiency.
Please explain your understanding of Project Bank Accounts?
- A Project Bank Account (PBA) is a ring-fenced account used in construction projects to ensure secure, transparent payments.
- It allows all parties, including subcontractors and suppliers, to receive payments directly and promptly, reducing the risk of late or non-payment.
- Set up at the project start, the PBA involves agreements between the employer, main contractor, and subcontractors on payment terms.
- The employer deposits funds into the PBA, and payments are made simultaneously to all listed parties based on agreed terms, bypassing traditional payment hierarchies.
What steps would you take in the event of a Main Contractor insolvency?
- Follow all contractual procedures related to insolvency, including termination rights and obligations.
- Record payments, work progress, and materials on-site.
- Terminate the contract if the contractor’s insolvency prevents them from fulfilling their obligations, following specified procedures.
- Secure the site to prevent damage or unauthorized access, and inform subcontractors to remove materials or secure assets if necessary.
- A chartered surveyor should prepare a valuation statement reflecting the current project status, including completed works, retention sums, and any outstanding claims.
- Consider engaging alternative contractors and, if needed, initiate a new tender process or novate the original contract.
- If step-in rights are provided through collateral warranties, a lender or developer may take over the project.
Can you please explain your understanding of the recent RICS Fee changes?
The RICS has announced a 3.5% increase in professional subscription fees for 2025 marking the first adjustment in five years.
Are you aware of any guidance that applies to RICS Member when using Social Media?
- The RICS introduced the Guidance Note ‘Use of Social Media: Guidance for Members Version 1.
- This took affect from 30th June 2021.
- The Guidance note sets out the same standards as stipulated in the RICS Rules of Conduct and reminds members that these do not change whether communicating via social media, face to face or traditional forms of media.
How do you ensure you operate inline with RICS guidance on the use of Social Media?
- I use social media in a responsible and professional manner in the same way that I communicate via face to face.
- I am sure to use professional and respectful language.
- 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:-
* Discriminatory.
* Dishonest.
* Abusive or threatening.
* Likely to cause significant harm, distress or offence to a person.
* Shows a pattern of frequent or large number of concerning communications.
* Ignores previous advice or warnings about concerns.
Please explain your understanding of the RICS Inclusive Employer Quality Mark?
- The RICS is launching a scheme designed to improve diversity and inclusion within the property and construction sector.
- Requires employers to pledge their commitment to continually improving principles of Leadership and Vision; Recruitment; Staff development/retention/engagement; Continuous improvement.
Please explain your understanding of the Bichard Review?
- The Bichard Review was an independent review commissioned by the RICS Governing Board in
December 2021 into the purpose, governance and strategy of the RICS. - This was commissioned following the Levitt Review and aimed to create a new sense of purpose and direction of the RICS.
*The review advised on 36 recommendations that are currently being implemented (including a Public Interest Panel will be setup to advise the Governing Council)
What are the main benefits of Diversity & Inclusion?
Diverse and inclusive environments help to:
* 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 RICS doing to improve Diversity & Inclusion?
- The RICS has setup ‘Diversity & Inclusion leadership’ which is a knowledge hub allowing the RICS to
share ideas on how and why diversity & inclusion is so important to the RICS.
Please explain your understanding of how the RICS define Professional Standards vs. Practice Information?
Following the Bichard Review, the RICS introduced two new definitions for professional guidance:
- Professional Standards: Set mandatory requirements and expectations for competence and ethical behaviour, using “must” for mandatory actions and “should” for best practice.
- Practice Information: Offers non-mandatory guidance to support surveyors in specific services or areas of practice, including processes, toolkits, and technical advice.
Please explain your understanding of the guidelines around use of the RICS Logo?
- I am aware of RICS guidelines which are split into:
- Rules of Conduct for Firms use of the RICS logo and designation.
- Guidelines for Personal Use of the RICS logo.
- These guidelines contain detailed information regarding correct usage which is approved by the
Standards and Regulation Board. - As a qualified RICS member you have the right to use the logo for personal use for example on
Business Cards & Personal E-mail signatures.
Are you aware of the changes the RICS recently made around its use of Membership Cards?
- Historically, the RICS issued plastic cards for each year of membership.
- Now, members receive a digital card, providing a more sustainable way to confirm membership and designation via their online account on desktop or mobile devices.
Who is the RICS Leadership Team made up of?
Nicholas Maclean is Acting President and Acting Chair of Governing Council
Justin Young is CEO
What is the Levitt Report?
- The Levitt Report was commissioned by the RICS after a 2018 Treasury management audit.
- Prior to the audit, RICS had to extend its overdraft by around £3m due to inaccurate cashflow forecasting.
- The report pointed to an internal power struggle within RICS’s two-board structure (Management and Executive Boards).
- RICS accepted all of Levitt’s recommendations, including:
- More oversight of internal dealings by the RICS Governing Council.
- The Management Board to brief the Governing Council instead of the CEO.
- The Governing Council to oversee executive management bonuses.
- The report called for greater transparency, suggesting the CEO could have involved the Management Board to address treasury issues.
- No evidence of improper or illegal conduct was found.
What are the new RICS Professional Indemnity Insurance Requirements for 2022?
- The UK Professional Indemnity Insurance requirements (Version 9) came into effect on 1st April 2022.
- For companies with turnover over £10m, there’s no maximum uninsured excess.
- For companies with turnover under £10m, the maximum uninsured excess is the greater of £10,000 or 2.5% of the insured sum.
Please explain your understanding of what happened at COP29?
- COP29 was held in Baku, Azerbaijan in November 2024 and focused on addressing the climate
finance gap through the loss and damage fund, designed to support vulnerable nations.
What is the ICMS3?
- A framework for managing cost and carbon in construction, developed by 49 global organisations, including the RICS.
- It defines, measures, records, and presents life cycle costs and carbon emissions from concept to completion.
- The standard aims to decarbonise construction projects in a cost-effective manner.
What is AI?
*A broad term describing design and study of machines that perform tasks which previously required human brainpower.
What is professional scepticism?
- An attitude that critically assesses evidence and being alert to misleading information.
What are the requirements of RICS regulated firms in the use of AI?
- Must comply with Professional Standard.
- Must:
- Safeguard any confidential data.
- Record assessment AI is most appropriate tool.
- Develop and implement policies.
- Create and operate risk register.
- Make written requests for information for due diligence
