Mandatory - Ethics, Rules and Professional Conduct (L3) Flashcards
When was the RICS Founded?
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors was founded in 1868
In what year did the RICS receive its Royal Charter?
They received their royal charter in 1881
What are the four membership levels (starting with the most junior)?
- Trainee Member
- AssocRICS
- MRICS
- FRICS
How do you become a Fellow of the RICS?
You must submit evidence of achievement of four fellowship characteristics, which are:
- 5 years or more as an MRICS
- A leadership role in the industry
- Professional Technical Achievement
- Academic Achievement
- Raising the profile of the RICS
Who is the Current President of the RICS? And when was she in power from?
Tina Paillet on 1st Jan 2024
Who is the Current Chief Executive Officer of the RICS in the UK
Justin Young - 5th July 2023
What is the Governing Structure of the RICS?
Currently, the Governing Council is in charge of the management of the RICS. Consists of 21 members
Underpinned by various boards and committees. The Standards and Regulation Board is accountable to Governing Council, but not directed by them.
What are the major challenges currently facing the RICS and initiatives to address these?
Diversity & Inclusion: Started to collect demographic data in UK & Ireland for benchmarking and target setting
Sustainability:
Granted observer status for COP28 in Dubai
Rebuilding trust in the profession for both members and public. Appointments of Tina Paillet and Justin Young recognise the importance of respecting tradition but evolving with the times.
What are the THREE main roles of the RICS
- Maintain highest standards of education and training
- Protect consumers through strict regulation and professional standards
- To be the leading source of information and independent advice in the field
What do you know about The Bichard Review?
Independent Review conducted by Alison Levitt in 2021 found internal governance failings at the RICS.
Following consultation, Bichard appointed to further review made 36 recommendations in seven key areas to create a clearer and more simplified structure including creation of Management Board and Standards & Regulation Board.
Why do you want to become a Chartered Surveyor?
I would like to become a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors because it would provide me with increased credibility in the eyes of my clients, help me maintain and further my professional competency, and provide me with access to a network of 140,000 property professionals worldwide (network, knowledge, recognition, status, market advantage)
Mentioned in summary of experience
What are the 5 RICS Rules of Conduct (2022)?
- Members and firms must be honest, act with integrity and comply with their professional obligations, including obligations to the RICS
- Members and firms must maintain their professional competency and ensure that services are provided by competent individuals who have the necessary expertise
- Members and firms must provide good-quality and diligent service
- Members and firms must treat others with respect and encourage diversity and inclusion
- Members and firms must act in the public interest, take responsibility for their actions, and act to prevent harm and maintain public confidence in their profession
What’s the Role of the RICS, according to the RICS Rules of Conduct (2022)?
Three
1. Maintain highest standards of education and training
2. Protect consumers through strict regulation and professional standards
3. To be the leading source of information and independent advice
What are the Benefits to clients of Being an RICS Regulated Firm?
The RICS State three benefits of regulation for firms: “CPS”
- Confidence - for clients as regulated firms are controlled by RICS Regulation.
- Professionalism – firms will have to provide clear, impartial and expert advice.
- Security – firms have to have a recognised complaints handling procedure, access to free independent redress and PII cover.
“CPS”
What are the criteria for Registration as an RICS Regulated Firm?
- After April 2020, the criteria require firms to have at least 25% of their principals as RICS qualified, and there is the requirement for a Responsible Principal to provide accountability and engagement with RICS standards and regulations.
- Firms that provide a surveying service to the public are required to register for regulation to ensure there is a benchmark of quality for all firms (25% principals RICS can apply, and over 50% have to be regulated)
- Firms can be corporations, limited liability partnerships or sole practitioner, partnerships.
- There are strict rules on the use of the RICS logo. Firms that are registered have to use the “Registered by RICS” designation.
- Regulation provides a Gold Standard of quality for clients
Is your firm regulated by the RICS, and if so what level of PI insurance do you have?
Yes - typical cap is up to £5m
Extra cover can be bought for assets above this
If a breach of Conduct is Referred to the Disciplinary Hearing, what Penalties can be Imposed on the Breaching Party?
Referral to the Disciplinary panel is used for more serious breaches, the head of regulation can consider that a hearing is required under the discipline rules, 50% of this panel are lay members (i.e. not RICS). Penalties can be:
- Issue a consent order
- Impose an unlimited (but proportionate) fine for each breach.
- Conditions on Continued Membership of the RICS.
- Expulsion from Membership or Remove a firm.
- Require publication of the results of a hearing in Modus magazine, on the RICS website and in the local newspaper of the area where the offending firm is located.
Rank RICS Regulation, and state whether they are Mandatory or Voluntary (There are 5, from most important to least)
- International Standards (Mandatory) – E.G. IVS (2020) / IPMS (2018) / Professional Standards (e.g Conflicts of Interests Rate)
- Professional Statements (Mandatory) – E.G. Conflicts of Interest – UK Commercial Property Market Investment Agency, (2017)
- Practice Statements (Mandatory) – E.G. Very Few of these (Home Buyer Report (2016) for example)
- Guidance Notes (Voluntary) – Surveying Safely (2018)
- Codes of Practice (Mandatory or Recommended Practice)
What are the 5 benefits of being an RICS member?
- Status
- Recognition
- Market Advantage
- Knowledge
- Network
What must you include in the Terms of Engagement prior to starting work on an instruction?
There must be a written agreement with the client on:
- The fee due
- How expenses are to be treated, including how they are to be calculated
- A copy of the firm’s complaint handling procedure will be available on request.
Where would it be stated the level of Professional Indemnity Cover that you intend to offer your client?
In the terms of business, that are to be agreed before the instruction is undertaken.
What 3 things should you do prior to undertaking an instruction?
You should check that there are no personal or professional conflicts of interest in accepting the instruction, ensure that you are professionally competent to complete the instruction, and confirm terms of engagement in writing prior to beginning work on the project.
What did the RICS publish on Conflicts of Interest?
The RICS reissued as a Standard: “RICS Professional Standard on Conflicts of Interest (2017)”
Mentioned in summary of experience
In what circumstances might a conflict of interest not cause you to decline an instruction?
If it can be successfully managed and/or believe that despite the conflict it is in the best interests of all those involved for you to proceed with the instruction and you have the written informed consent of your client, then you may proceed despite the conflict
According to the RICS Professional Standard on Conflicts of Interest, 2017, what three types of conflict might arise?
- Party Conflict – work on same or related instruction between two parties
- Own Interest Conflict or Personal Conflict
- Confidential Information Conflict relating to work between two parties which is confidential
Who enforces the bribery charges?
Serious Fraud Office
How might a conflict of interest be managed, should you receive written consent and proceed with an instruction?
If you receive written consent from all parties involved to proceed with the instruction despite the identified conflict, information barriers should be put in place, including keeping all related information securely, ensuring physical separation of the two professionals involved, and keeping an adequate audit trail of the acceptance of written consent.
What does “RICS Professional Standard Conflicts of Interest – UK Commercial Property Market Investment Agency, 2017,” say about dual agency?
It should not happen under any circumstances for RICS members, as of the 1st January 2018.
What does “RICS Professional Standard Conflicts of interest 2017” say about incremental advice?
The statement says that in such instances, advice can only be provided in circumstances where there is written informed consent and information barriers are created internally.
Incremental advice example: agent acting for the seller in relation to a disposal is approached by the buyer, or its lender, to provide a valuation.
Can you give an example of where a conflict of interest has been managed in your firm?
Ask GR and JS
How long should you retain a client’s files prior to securely destroying them?
6 years
Mentioned in submission
How many Hours of CPD must an RICS member do each year?
20 hours, 10 of which must be formal
Are there any Rules Concerning CPD and Professional Ethical Standards?
Yes, every member of the RICS must undertake 20 hours of CPD each calendar year, with at least 10 hours of that being formal CPD.
Additionally, members are required to undertake CPD related to the Global Professional and Ethical Standards every three years.
Mentioned in submission
What RICS Professional Statement recently got Produced on the topic of Money Laundering? And from when is it Effective?
RICS Professional Statement – Countering Bribery, Corruption, Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (2019). Effective from 01 September 2019
Briefly outline the contents of RICS Professional Statement – Countering Bribery, Corruption, Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (2019)
Part 1: Requirements
Part 2: Guidance
Part 3: Supplementary guidance (enhanced/simplified due diligence), PEPs
Appendices: Template due diligence, draft compliance checks, AML checklist
Mentioned in submission
What is the penalty for bribery?
Up to 10 years in prison.
What legislation allows authorities to recover the proceeds of crime in the UK?
The Proceeds of Crime Act (2002)
What are the penalties for assisting with Money Laundering under Money Laundering Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) 2017?
If you are found to be assisting in the laundering of money you can face up to 14 years in prison and an unlimited fine. If you fail to report money laundering, and or tip someone off that they are under investigation for money laundering you can also face up to 5 years in prison and an unlimited fine.
What report would a firm’s money laundering reporting officer produce should they suspect suspicious activity and where would they send it?
They would produce a Suspicious Activity Report (SAS) and would send it to the National Crime Agency.
What position/role must each firm have in place under Money Laundering Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) 2017?
Money Laundering Reporting Officer
What is a PEP, and what are you required to carry out when working with one?
A politically exposed person. You are required to undertake further checks or “Enhanced Due Diligence” EDD when working with one. They present a higher risk of being involved in bribery or corruption due to the nature of their position.
What piece of UK legislation covers money laundering in relation to estate agency work and ‘relevant financial business work’?
Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017.