Level 1 Flashcards
Why do you want to become a member of RICS?
A personal proud moment which encapsulates years of focus, drive and determination to become the best version of myself.
Professionally to be recognised as a competent trusted advisor for which clients, colleagues and other professionals alike will respect and trust my advice in relation to the work.
What is the role of RICS?
RICS is an independent professional body originally established in the UK by Royal Charter. Since 1868, RICS has been committed to setting and upholding the highest standards of excellence and integrity – providing impartial, authoritative advice on key issues affecting businesses and society.
What are the key functions of RICS?
RICS’ main roles are:
Advancing the highest ethical and technical standards for professionals in land, property and the built environment
Protecting and providing benefits to consumers by enforcing standards and codes of best practice
Providing expert impartial advice to governments, business and the public
Equipping RICS members with leading edge advice, market insight and professional training
Promoting RICS status and standards in key worldwide markets as the mark of property professionalism.
What is a Royal Charter?
A Royal Charter is an instrument of incorporation, granted by The King, which confers independent legal personality on an organisation and defines its objectives, constitution and powers to govern its own affairs.
What does the RICS Royal Charter require?
What does the Royal Charter incorporate?
The original Royal Charter (dated 26 August 1881) and Supplemental Royal Charter (which amends the Original Royal Charter from time to time, the latest changes made in February 2020)
What does the Royal Charter state as the aim of the RICS?
To maintain and promote the usefulness of the profession for the public advantage in the UK and in any other part of the world.
Who is the current RICS president?
Tina Paillet
What do you understand by the term self-regulation?
meaning that it operates within it’s own published regulatory framework, rather than being legislated by Government
Can you tell me what you understand by the principles of better regulation?
What is a Byelaw?
A byelaw is a set of rules or law established by an organization or community so as to regulate itself, as allowed or provided for by higher authority
Give an example of one of the RICS Byelaws.
Membership and registration
Which details the classes of membership (Chartered Members, Non-Chartered Members, Honorary Members), eligibility, procedure and rivileges and obligations of membership
Explain to me the new RICS Rules of Conduct - what do they replace?
The new rics rules of conduct is a consolidated report incorporating the former RICS Rules of Conduct for firms and for members and the global professional standards.
When do they (Rules of Conduct) take effect?
11 October 2021, effective 02 February 2022
Who do they (Rules of Conduct) relate to?
Members and firms regulated by the RICS.
What are the 6 ethical principles that the Rules of Conduct are based on?
Honesty, Integrity, competence, service, respect and responsibility
What are the 5 Rules of Conduct?
Rule 1 - to be honest and act with integrity and comply with their professional obligations
Rule 2 - maintain their professional competence and ensure services are provided by competent individuals
Rule 3 - must provide good-quality and diligent service
Rule 4 - must treat others with respect and encourage diversity and inclusion
Rule 5 - Act in public interest, take responsibility and maintain public confidence
Give an example behavior’s for each Rule of Conduct.
Rule 1 - do not take unfair advantage of others
Rule 2 - only undertake work that they have the knowledge, skills and resources to carry out competently
Rule 3 - understand clients’ needs and objectives before accepting any professional work.
Rule 4 - respect the rights of others and treat others with courtesy.
Rule 5 - respond to complaints made against them promptly, openly and professionally
What are the core professional obligations of firms to RICS?
Publish a complaints handling procedure, including ADR, and maintain a complaints log.
Ensure all previous and current professional work is covered by adequate and appropriate professional indemnity cover.
Make appropriate arrangements for professional work to continue where necessary.
Cooperate with RICS.
Promptly provide all information reasonably requested by the Standards and Regulation Board, or those exercising delegated authority on its behalf.
Display on their business literature that they are regulated by RICS.
Report to RICS any matter that they are required to report under the Rules for the Registration of Firms.
What are the core professional obligations of members to RICS?
Comply with CPD.
Cooperate with RICS.
Promptly provide all information reasonably requested by the Standards and Regulation Board, or those exercising delegated authority on its behalf.
What disciplinary procedures can the RICS impose?
A Regulatory Compliance Order - - where the regulated member admits the allegations.
A single member of the regulatory tribunal - where the regulated member does not admit the allegations.
Disciplinary panel - for serious allegations
In what circumstances can these be imposed?
When allegations have been made against a regulated member
When did RICS last update their disciplinary panel rules?
02 March 2020 renaming to the Regulatory Tribunal Rules
What are the different levels of action within these procedures?
The head of regulation will consider disciplinary action on serious cases, which can be referred to a disciplinary panel.
Disciplinary action can include fixed penalty’s.
A regulatory compliance order will be used to deal with les serious cases or referral to to a single member of the regulatory tribunal to determine the sanction.
RCO can include suspension and expulsion.
What do you understand by the term professional practice?
Used to describe activities which will help you apply your knowledge to your industry, job role or workplace.
What money laundering regulations or legislation are you aware of?
The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017
What is a red flag of money laundering?
Frequent Cross-Border Money Transfers to Different Accounts
What bribery legislation are you aware of?
the Bribery Act 2010
What is a bribe?
money or any other valuable consideration given or promised with a view to corrupting the behavior of a person
What are the penalties for accepting a bribe?
a fine or imprisonment for up to 10 years
What are the penalties for being involved in money laundering?
a jail sentence of up to 14 years or a large fine
What constitutes an offence under the Bribery Act 2010?
to pay or receive a bribe, either directly or indirectly.
What constitutes an offence under the current money laundering regulations?
concealing, disguising, converting, transferring or removing criminal property
How long should you keep anti money laundering records for?
5 Years
What is Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII)?
protects firms from negligence claims made by clients unsatisfied with the professional services provided to them
Can you tell me about the RICS requirements in relation to PII?
It must provide cover for any one claim or be an aggregate plus unlimited round-the-clock reinstatement basis
fully retroactive, covering claims made during the term of insurance cover irrespective of when the original act occurred
Include RICS minimum policy wording
being written on a full civil liability basis
provide at least the minimum level of indemnity based on the firms turnover in the previous year
provide for a maximum level of uninsured excess based on the sum insured
underwritten by an RICS approved insurer
provide cover for past and present employees.
What is a PII aggregation clause?
allows or requires a number of, usually, similar or linked claims to be treated as a single claim.
What does ‘claims made’ mean in terms of PII?
the policy must be in place when the claim is made
Is a PII excess usually paid for per claim?
In a negligence claim, what would help to show that you acted with consideration and due process?
Can good record keeping help to provide a defence in a PII claim?
Yes. It allows firms to defend themselves against claims of professional negligence
If you were providing services outside of your usual scope to a client, what might you need to do in relation to your PII cover?
What is run off cover?
insurance for claims made against a firm after it has stopped doing business.
What RICS requirements are there relating to run off cover?
requires that firms have a minimum of £1,000,000 run-off cover, meaning a minimum of six years for consumer claims
What changes did RICS recently make to the Minimum Approved PII Wording?
There are no changes to the RICS UK PII requirements
What precedent has caselaw set in terms of keeping adequate site notes (and therefore providing a defence in a PII claim)?
Would a dictated report avoid the need to have any written site notes?