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
- Assigned to each HRB to advise BSR’s decision making.
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?
- Independent review into the purpose, governance and strategy of RICS.
- Commissioned by Governing Board in 2021 following Levitt Review and aimed to create a new sense of purpose and direction of the RICS.
- The review made 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 to showcase how and why diversity & inclusion is important to the RICS.
Please explain your understanding of how the RICS define Professional Standards vs. Practice Information?
- 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?
Rules for the use of the RICS logo and designation by firms -
- I know that rules must comply with the RICS regulations.
- I understand that as a qualified RICS member I have the right to use the logo for personal use, for example: on Business Cards & Personal E-mail signatures.
