Hot Topics

Question 1

Implications of Grenfell?

Answer 1

• Significant regulatory changes to more stringent processes in place for design and safety of buildings
• Fire Safety Act 2021 introduced to make duty holders responsible for ensuring fire safety of external walls and elements
• Ban of use of combustible external cladding on multi occupies multi storey buildings over 11m, must be a Euroclass rating of A
• Introduction of Building Safety Act 2022 putting more emphasis on the design and condition process and competence of individuals, highlighting responsibilities and accountability of duty holders, client, contractor, principal designer, building owner
• Competence declaration for each duty holder
• Building regulations compliance declaration
• Building Safety regulator introduced for high risk buildings over 18m or 7 storeys or more with more than 2 residential dwellings

Question 2

Updates to contracts JCT 2024?

Answer 2

Key updates include

• Introduction of the JCT Target Cost Contract
• The use of diversity and inclusion pronouns
• Addition of relevant event for pandemics
• Addition of relevant event for regulator and statutory changes
• Changes in extension of time application timeframes for review from 12 weeks to 8 weeks
• Obligations to comply with Building Safety Act 2022
• Electronic communications and signatures, emails addresses can be be entered into particulars for communications
• Design liability changes, contractor is now not subject to a duty that the design be fit for purpose

Question 3

Governing Council RICS?

Answer 3

• Justin Sullivan elected as president in January 2025 and new presidential team

Question 4

Insolvency / ISG?

Answer 4

• ISG which is a global construction firm which experienced insolvency due to inability to secure funds or find a buyer
• Led to the redundancy of 2,200 employees
• Cash flow issues due to mismanagement of budgets and costs, fixed price contracts and material price inflation, and ambitious projects with low margins
• Ripple effect on sub contractors and suppliers
• Projects were put were halted leading to delays and increased costs and further challenges for industry

Question 5

Should RICS be regulated externally?

Answer 5

• External oversight provides a more impartial assessment of RICS actions reducing the potential of bias and unethical decisions
• Provides transparency by being subject to public scrutiny, building trust and fairness
• Increased accountability

Question 6

PII Changes 2024?

Answer 6

• Insurance cover for fire safety claims for buildings of 5 storeys or above
• Provided work is conducted after July 01 2024

Question 7

RICS Retrofit Residential Guidance?

Answer 7

RICS Professional Standard on Residential Retrofit 2024

• Growing demand for retrofit services in the UK to increase sustainability
• RICS guidance on upskilling surveyors and tailoring to changes to residential clients

Question 8

While Life Carbon Assessment? What are the key aspects?

Answer 8

RICS Professional Standard on Whole Life Carbon Assessment 2023

Assessment to understand the carbon emissions produced from developments from extraction of materials to demolition and disposal

Embodied Carbon
- Emissions associated extraction, processing, manufacturing, transportation and installation of building materials

Operational Carbon
- Emissions associated with energy use such as heating, cooling, lighting

End of Life
- Demolition and waste disposal and potential for reuse or recycling

Question 9

Approved Document T - Toilet Accommodation

Answer 9

• Approved document introduced for guidlines for toilets
• Design for universal toilets
• More detailed accessible toilet requirements in comparison to Doc M pack

Question 10

Approved Document B - 2025 Updates?

Answer 10

2025

• All newly build care homes must have sprinkler system installed
• Fire safety provisions Regulation 38 and fire safety information

2026

• Update will include requirement for more than one common stair to be provided in block of flats more than 18m in height

2029

• National classes for fire resistance removal

Question 11

Approved Document L - 2025 Updates?

Question 12

RICS Practice Alert - Acting as an expert witness in housing disrepair and other high volume cases?