RICS Rules of Conduct (2021)
Effective from 2 February 2022
Provides a structure for making ethical decisions about how to behave as a professional. Members must use their professional judgement in applying these principles.
It also provides examples of behaviours
RICS Royal Charter
Founded 15th June 1868
Chartered 1881 by Queen Victoria
(updated Feb 2020)
Formal document granted by the monarch that establishes and governs an organisation, sets out legal status and authority to operate.
RICS Bye Laws (2020)
(updated Feb 2020)
List of rules made by a Governing Council or society to control the actions of its members.
For examples sets out rules for use of Designations/Initials.
Application and Definitions, Membership and registration, Designations, contributions to funds, conduct, governing council, officers & staff, subordinate boards, committees and groups.
Company’s Gifts and Hospitality Policy
All offers of Gifts/Hospitality (whether accepted or not) MUST be registered
Automatically approved if under set threshold
As a general rule, employees can accept gifts/hospitality up to £250
Use own discretion – RICS rules on PVIT should be starting point
Everything goes through Line Manager
Don’t allow Gifts/Hospitality from Government Entity
RICS professional standard: Complaints Handling (1st edition, July 2016)
Detailed steps for filing.
7 days to acknowledge, 28 to respond.
Methods for resolving disputes and providing remedies if needed.
Consumer Rights Act (2015)
Provides businesses with clear guidelines on how to treat their clients, ensuring that they have the right to expect fair treatment and clear entitlements when they engage with a business.
Transparency
Quality Standards
Contract Terms
Dispute Resolution
Customer Rights
New Homes Quality Code (NHQC)
Framework that sets out standards to improve the quality of new homes and customer service by developers, ensuring transparency and protection for buyers through:
* Clear and honest information during the buying process
* High standards of build quality and aftercare
* Access to the New Homes Ombudsman Scheme for dispute resolution and redress
Health and Safety at Work Act (1974)
Primary UK legislation that ensures the health, safety, and welfare of people at work.
It sets out:
* Employers’ duties to protect employees and others from harm;
* Employees’ responsibilities to cooperate and act safely;
* Enforcement powers of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Applied during site visits – Ensured Risk Assessment and management had been carried out prior – Use of appropriate PPE and Lone Working Policies had been followed
RICS Professional Standard: Surveying Safely (2nd edition, November 2018)
Professional guidance that sets out the health and safety principles and responsibilities expected of RICS members and regulated firms.
It governs how surveying professionals should manage health, safety, and welfare risks in all aspects of their work, ensuring compliance with legal duties such as the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
It sets out:
* RICS members’ responsibilities to identify, assess, and manage risks;
* Procedures for safe lone and site working;
* Requirements for training, competence, and emergency planning;
* Expectations for creating a positive health and safety culture.
Health and Safety Executive
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the UK’s national regulator for workplace health and safety.
It governs the enforcement of health and safety legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and associated regulations.
It sets out:
* Standards and guidance for managing workplace risks;
* Inspection and enforcement procedures;
* Requirements for accident reporting (RIDDOR);
* Best practice for risk management across industries.
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) (2002)
UK regulations designed to protect people from ill health caused by exposure to hazardous substances at work.
It governs the use, storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous substances, ensuring that exposure to harmful chemicals, dust, fumes, or biological agents is controlled and monitored.
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
Set of standard accounting rules and frameworks used to prepare, present, and report financial statements consistently and transparently
Governs how organisations record, classify, and report financial transactions to ensure accuracy, comparability, and integrity in financial reporting
Data Protection Act 2018
UK legislation that governs the collection, use, and storage of personal data, complementing and supplementing the UK GDPR.
How organisations handle personal data, ensuring it is processed lawfully, fairly, and transparently while protecting individuals’ privacy rights
Company’s Annual Report and Financial Statements
Profit before Tax £78Mil
Revenue £1.1 Bil
Financial Performance
CEO Statment
Strategy and Ambition
Key sites New Oppotunities
Summarises company’s financial performance, position, and activities over the past year.
Company’s income, expenditure, assets, liabilities, and overall financial health to shareholders, regulators, and stakeholders
- The company’s profit and loss, balance sheet, and cash flow statements;
* Directors’ reports and strategic commentary; - Notes on accounting policies, risks, and significant events;
- Compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)
UK and EU law that governs how personal data is collected, processed, stored, and shared to protect individuals’ privacy rights.
UK GDPR came into effect on 1 January 2021, following the UK’s departure from the European Union.
It governs the lawful, fair, and transparent handling of personal data by organisations, ensuring individuals have control over how their information is used.
It sets out:
* Principles for processing personal data lawfully and securely;
* Rights of individuals, including access, rectification, and erasure;
* Obligations for data controllers and processors;
* Requirements for data breach reporting and accountability.
Equality Act (2010)
UK legislation that consolidates and strengthens previous anti-discrimination laws to protect individuals from unfair treatment and promote equality of opportunity.
It governs how organisations, employers, and service providers must treat people fairly, prohibiting discrimination, harassment, and victimisation based on protected characteristics.
It sets out:
* Nine protected characteristics, including age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation;
* The public sector equality duty;
* Requirements for reasonable adjustments in workplaces and services;
* Rules on equal pay and fair recruitment practices.
Human Rights Act 1998
Incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law, protecting fundamental rights and freedoms.
It governs how organisations and employers must respect individual rights in the workplace, including promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Section 8 of the NPPF
Promotes safe, Inclusive and Healthy Places.
Governs how planning decisions should support strong, vibrant, and inclusive communities by ensuring access to services, open spaces, and opportunities for social interaction.
It sets out:
* The need to plan positively for community facilities and green spaces;
* The importance of safe, accessible environments that encourage walking and cycling;
* Guidance on social cohesion, healthy lifestyles, and community engagement;
* Considerations for crime prevention and inclusive design.
Company’s 2020 Sustainability Strategy
Adopt renewable technologies - air source heat pumps – net zero gas emissions by 2045
RICS Professional Standard: Valuation of Development Property (1st Edition, October 2019)
Provides guidance to RICS members on the valuation of land and property with development or redevelopment potential.
It governs the professional approach and methodology used by valuers when assessing development sites, ensuring valuations are consistent, transparent, and compliant with the RICS Valuation Standards (Red Book).
It sets out:
* Principles for valuing land with or without planning consent;
* Guidance on residual valuation methodology and risk assessment;
* Considerations for costs, profit, finance, and planning risk;
* The importance of market evidence and professional judgement.
Developer Contributions SPD
Provides detailed guidance on how planning obligations and contributions are secured to mitigate the impact of new development.
- The types of contributions required (e.g. affordable housing, open space, education, transport);
- The methodology for calculating financial or in-kind obligations;
- The process for negotiating and securing agreements;
- The relationship between planning policy, viability, and infrastructure delivery.
Build Cost Information Service (BCIS)
RICS-managed database providing industry-standard cost data and benchmarks for construction projects across the UK.
It sets out:
* Up-to-date construction cost indices and inflation data;
* Average build costs by location, use class, and specification;
* Guidance for cost planning, estimating, and viability analysis;
* Standardised data to support valuation and appraisal consistency.
Town and Country Planning Act (1990)
What regulatory Framework operates beneath it?
Principal legislation governing the planning system in England and Wales.
It governs how land is used and developed, setting the legal framework for plan-making, development management, and enforcement of planning control.
Bribery Act (2010)
UK legislation that establishes criminal offences for bribery and corruption in both the public and private sectors.
It governs how individuals and organisations must act to prevent bribery, ensuring integrity, transparency, and fairness in business and professional dealings.
It sets out:
* Offences of offering, receiving, or facilitating bribes;
* The corporate offence of failing to prevent bribery;
* Expectations for implementing adequate anti-bribery procedures;
* Severe penalties for individuals and organisations found guilty of bribery.
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ETHICS167
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CASE STUDY142
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CLIENT CARE54
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COMMUNICATION & NEGOTIATION61
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HEALTH AND SAFTEY73
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ACCOUNTING42
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BUSINESS PLANNING29
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CONFLICT RESOLUTION36
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DATA MANAGEMENT73
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DIVERSITY EQUITY & INCLUSION27
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INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENTS35
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SUSTAINABILITY74
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DEVELOPMENT APPRAISALS266
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DEVELOPMENT PROJECT BRIEFS71
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LEGAL REGULATORY51
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MEASUREMENT55
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P&D MANAGEMENT130
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SPATIAL PLANNING87
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SURVEYING AND MAPPING23
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VALUATION221
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MASTERPLANNING AND URBAN DESIGN52
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HOUSING STRATEGY AND PROVISION138
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DOCUMENTS55
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UNKNOWN ANSWERS25
