Document downloads - Commercial property
Available downloads
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Dilapidations: typical release form
Example agreement for the purposes of releasing the lessee from their dilapidations liabilities in return for financial compensation from the lessor.
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Health and safety buying or selling checklist
A list of additional questions that surveyors may ask when buying and/or selling property on behalf of a client.
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Health and safety checklist for initial management inspections
A list of points that might need to be checked during an initial management inspection.
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Rent review inspection notes
The first role for any surveyor when instructed to advise either a landlord or a tenant on a rent review is to request copies of the lease and other relevant legal documents (e.g. licences for alteration and deeds of variation). Included should be as much information about the property as possible (including floor plans, a note of previous floor areas, information about works carried out by the tenant, and so on).
The surveyor should then inspect and measure the property and calculate the floor areas. This form is for making notes during such an inspection. -
Landlord initiating rent review
Some leases require rent reviews to be triggered by one party (usually the landlord) giving a notice to the other party. In some cases, failure to give the notice in accordance with the terms of the lease may lose the right to have the rent reviewed at that time.
This is a sample letter that can serve as a trigger notice.
IMPORTANT: This letter is for general guidance only. You must read the lease and are strongly advised to take legal advice if this letter/notice is being served in accordance with specific terms of the lease. Such letter/notice may be invalid if directions in the lease are not strictly observed. -
Tenant initiating rent review
Depending on the type of rent review clause, frequently rent reviews may cause disputes between landlords and tenants, with the former seeking the highest increase at rent review and the latter the lowest. Some leases require rent reviews to be triggered by one party, this is a form letter for the triggering of a rent review by the tenant.
IMPORTANT: This letter is for general guidance only. You must read the lease and are strongly advised to take legal advice if this letter/notice is being served in accordance with specific terms of the lease. Such letter/notice may be invalid if directions in the lease are not strictly observed. -
Landlord proposing rent
Formal and informal letters for a landlord proposing the rent.
IMPORTANT: These letters are for general guidance only. You must read the lease and are strongly advised to take legal advice if this notice is being served in accordance with specific terms of the lease. Such letter/notice may be invalid if directions in the lease are not strictly observed. -
Tenant proposing rent
Some leases require service of a rent review trigger notice which shall specify a proposed rent, in which case this should be included in the notice.
The wording used in the notice should be based on the relevant words of the lease. If the review clause states that a trigger notice must be served 'stating the amount that the Landlord considers to be the open market rent', then the notice could say 'I consider the open market rent to be [amount]'.
Failure to state the proposed rent in the notice may invalidate the notice unless the court considers that this element was not intended to be mandatory. The safest course is to comply exactly with the requirements of the review clause for the contents of the notice.
These are two form letters for such a proposal by the tenant, both formal and informal. -
Tenant's rent review counternotice
Some leases that require a rent review to be triggered by notice also require or allow the recipient to serve a counternotice in response.
This is common where the trigger notice is to include a proposal for the new rent and normally gives the recipient the opportunity to state whether or not he or she agrees with that proposal and, if he or she disagrees, either to make a counter proposal or to require the matter to go to third party determination.
This is a form letter for a counternotice from the tenant to the landlord.
IMPORTANT: This letter is for general guidance only. You must read the lease and are strongly advised to take legal advice if this letter/notice is being served in accordance with specific terms of the lease. Such letter/notice may be invalid if directions in the lease are not strictly observed. -
Landlord's rent review counternotice
Some leases which require a rent review to be triggered by notice also require or allow the recipient to serve a counternotice in response.
This is common where the trigger notice is to include a proposal for the new rent and normally gives the recipient the opportunity to state whether or not he or she agrees with that proposal and, if he or she disagrees, either to make a counter proposal or to require the matter to go to third party determination.
This is a sample letter that can serve as a counternotice from a landlord following a tenant's initiation of a rent review. -
Rent review notice of reference to a third party
If it is not possible to settle the rent review amicably during negotiations, the rent review clause will generally lay down a procedure for the appointment of a third party. Provision will usually be made for the parties to attempt to agree themselves on the identity of a third party, or, in the absence of agreement, to apply to the president of RICS to make the appointment.
This is a sample letter used to inform one of the parties that the rent review has been referred to a third party.
IMPORTANT: This letter is for general guidance only. You must read the lease and are strongly advised to take legal advice if this letter/notice is being served in accordance with specific terms of the lease. Such letter/notice may be invalid if directions in the lease are not strictly observed. -
Rent review time of the essence notice
In rent review, a party may sometimes make time of the essence for a time limit by serving a formal notice on the party in default. This concept is familiar to conveyancing lawyers, but it is now firmly established that the remedy also applies to rent review.
This is a sample letter used to inform the landlord that the tenant is making time of the essence with respect to rent review. -
Rent review Calderbank offer
A Calderbank offer is a letter, expressed as 'without prejudice save as to costs', which contains an offer to the other party in the review inviting it to settle without taking the arbitration further. The letter must set out all terms to settle the dispute, principally rent and costs. It should also contain a time limit within which the other party may accept the offer.
IMPORTANT: Calderbank offers are binding offers to settle. You should ensure you have the appropriate authorisations and/or consents from your client and any other appropriate parties before such offers are made. -
Asbestos
Published May 2021
Effective from 1 August 2021
Reissued October 2022
The widespread use of asbestos has implications for property professionals working in all sectors and can impact on all stages of a building’s life cycle.
This professional standard contains a comprehensive overview of the legislation and industry guidance that govern the complex subject of asbestos. It provides guidance on the dangers asbestos poses to health and businesses, and sets out best practice advice to assist property professionals in complying with the regulations and implementing an effective management plan to ensure that they do not put themselves or others at risk.
The standard is not intended to advise members specially in the undertaking of asbestos surveys. Guidance on such surveys is set out in the HSE publication HSG264 Asbestos: The survey guide.
This document was reissued in October 2022 as a professional standard. It had previously been published in May 2021 as a guidance note. The regulatory requirements remain the same and no material changes have been made to the document. -
Building surveys and technical due diligence of commercial property (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
This guidance note was prepared to provide surveyors and clients with a source of information and guidance in respect of commercial and industrial property surveys. Such surveys may also include large residential apartment buildings.
This guidance was written to apply to England and Wales. -
Surveyors acting as advocates
Published February 2017
Effective from 1 June 2017
The professional statement sets out the core duties expected of the surveyor-advocate. It applies where you agree (whether in writing or orally) to act as a surveyor-advocate before any tribunal in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
The guidance note offers guidance on fundamental aspects of advocacy practice. It outlines general duties and roles and offers best practice advice on, among other things, case preparation and preliminaries, evidence and documents, and hearings.
A client guide (a stand-alone electronic version of the professional statement) is also available. -
Code of measuring practice
Published: September 2007
Reinstated: 23 January 2018
Effective from: 23 January 2018
Code of measuring practice, 6th edition was reinstated on 23 January 2018 after publication of RICS property measurement, 2nd edition.
The 6th edition of the code became effective globally from 18 May 2015 when it was incorporated into the first professional statement, that for offices. -
Contamination, the environment and sustainability: Implications for chartered surveyors and their clients (ARCHIVE)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
The challenges presented by contaminated land and environmental issues, such as the flood risk caused by climate change, and the need to live in a more sustainable way mean that the demand for best advice has never been more important. Surveyors are uniquely placed to provide this advice to clients in all property sectors.
This guidance note aims to support and guide the professional activities both of those who are already highly proficient in this area and also those who are less experienced.
This publication was reviewed and a new standard was published in 2018: 'Environmental risk and global real estate'. -
Dilapidations
Published September 2016 (E&W) and March 2015 (Scotland)
Effective from December 2016 (E&W) and March 2015 (Scotland)
Reissued December 2023
This professional standard seeks to advise members on the factors they should take into consideration when producing Schedules of Dilapidations, Quantified Demands, Responses, Scott Schedules and Diminution Valuations for reference to or use by the client, the other party to the lease, third parties and tribunals.
Dilapidations in England and Wales was reissued in December 2023 as a professional standard. It had previously been published in September 2016 as a guidance note. No material changes have been made to the document.
Dilapidations in Scotland was reissued in December 2023 as a professional standard. It had previously been published in March 2015 as a guidance note. No material changes have been made to the document. -
Direct professional access to barristers (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
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Fire damage reinstatement (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
The repair of fire damage has much in common with other repair and maintenance works, but presents the surveyor with some particular problems. The form of damage is qualitatively different from that with which he may be familiar. This Information Paper is not intended to provide guidance and advice to surveyors on the manner in which repair works should be implemented. Rather, it highlights the peripheral matters which arise, and aspects which need to be given consideration over and above those matters which normally apply to building works. -
Reinstatement cost assessment of buildings
Published February 2018
Effective from 1 June 2018
Reissued June 2024
This publication is intended as a guide for surveyors who carry out reinstatement cost assessments of buildings.
The professional standard provides detailed recommendations on: the manner in which assessments should be approached, the nature and extent of the information to be collated, the manner in which this information should be processed and how the assessment should be calculated and submitted.
This document was reissued in June 2024 as a professional standard. It had previously been published in February 2018 as a guidance note. The regulatory requirements remain the same and no material changes have been made to the document. -
Handling tenant's applications for approval to alterations (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
A landlord (or more likely his managing agent) will be faced from time to time with a situation in which his tenant applies for consent to make alterations to the leased property. Sometimes it will be found on examination that no formal consent is required under the lease, that the works are de minimis or that the tenant is merely advising the landlord of his proposals as a matter of courtesy. In these cases, a polite acknowledgement may be all that is needed. More frequently the tenant will require consent. -
Practice management guidelines (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
The Practice management guidelines, 3rd edition was aimed at small to medium practices and intended to assist in the day-to-day running of the business. -
Service charges in commercial property
Published September 2018
Effective from April 2019
Reissued September 2023
This professional standard sets a marker for the standards of management required in commercial property and provides mandatory obligations that RICS members and regulated firms engaged in this area must comply with. It has been endorsed by property bodies representing all sides of the property industry and widely acknowledged as a significant step forward for the property industry.
This document is effective from 1 April 2019.
The aims and objectives of this professional standard are to:
- improve general standards and promote best practice, uniformity, fairness and transparency in the management and administration of services charges in commercial property
- ensure timely issue of budgets and year-end certificates
- reduce the causes of disputes and to provide guidance on resolution and
- provide guidance to solicitors, their clients (whether owners or occupiers) and managers of service charges in the negotiation, drafting, interpretation and operation of leases, in accordance with best practice.
Although this document is a first edition professional standard, it supersedes the previous three editions published as codes of practice from 1 April 2019.
This document was reissued in September 2023 as a professional standard. It had previously been published in September 2018 as a professional statement. No material changes have been made to the document. -
Service charge residential management code
Published 2016
Effective from 1 June 2016
The RICS Service Charge Residential Management Code 3rd edition was approved by the Secretary of State under section 87(7) of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993.
The Code applies only to residential leasehold properties in England but it deals with flats, houses and all other dwellings whether in towns or in the country, on estates, in groups or on their own. It covers all lengths of leases and statutory tenancies where variable service charges are payable. The Code does not apply where the landlord is a public sector authority, or a registered social landlord, but it does apply where a public sector authority or registered social landlord is an agent managing for a private sector owner. -
Surveyors acting as arbitrators and as independent experts in commercial property rent reviews (ARCHIVE)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
See the latest editions:
- Surveyors acting as arbitrators in commercial property rent reviews, 9th edition (2013).
- Surveyors acting as independent experts in commercial property rent reviews, 9th edition (2014). -
Surveyors acting as expert witnesses
Published April 2014
Effective from 2 July 2014
Reissued February 2023
Surveyors acting as expert witnesses, 4th edition, applies to surveyors when providing expert evidence, whether oral or written, before a range of courts and tribunals in the UK,
The practice statement sets out the mandatory duties of a surveyor in providing evidence, while the guidance note provides further information on good practice, including: the need for clear instructions and terms of engagement; fees; guidance on what to do in situations of conflict of interest; an outline of the written report format; clarification of the differences between the roles of expert witness and advocate; and the immunity of the expert witness.
A stand-alone electronic version of this practice statement (without the guidance note) is also available for potential use with clients in connection with the particular requirement of PS 3.3.
This document was amended in February 2023 to remove wording from PS10 and GN19 which could be read as prohibiting expert witnesses from taking instructions from solicitors who are engaged on a conditional fee, even if the expert is instructed on an unconditional fee basis. This was not the intention of RICS and has therefore been amended for clarity. -
Environmental impact assessment checklist
An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process used to anticipate the environmental consequences of a development before planning permission is granted. This sort of assessment is required for certain projects defined under EU regulations. The process involves determining whether an EIA is required for the project (screening) and deciding which issues should be assessed (scoping), before completing the assessment process.
This is a list of contents that could appear in such an assessment. -
Surveyors acting as arbiter or as independent expert in commercial property rent reviews (Scotland) (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
See the latest editions:
- Surveyors acting as arbitrators in commercial property rent reviews in Scotland, 9th edition.
- Surveyors acting as independent experts in commercial property rent reviews in Scotland, 9th edition. -
Property insurance claim form
A document giving an example of a claim form for property insurance. The form is copyright Layton Blackham Insurance Brokers and is reproduced here with permission.
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Money laundering guidance (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
The RICS guidance was replaced by the HMRC guidance on the Regulations and RICS will not update this guidance further.
Go to: www.gov.uk/money-laundering-regulations-introduction
This guidance provided a general introduction to preventing money laundering, terrorist finance, bribery, and financial sanctions. It was co-authored by the National Federation of Property Professionals, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Association of Relocation Professionals, and the Association of Residential Managing Agents. It explained how to interpret and implement anti-money laundering requirements in practice. -
Strategic public sector property asset management
Published 6 September 2021
Effective from 6 September 2021
Reissued October 2022
The way we view buildings has changed. The social context of real estate has changed. The challenges facing those working in the built environment have never been greater, and the public-sector estate is critical in this change. While cost is still crucial, it is no longer the only strategic consideration in building operations: cost and experience must be aligned. Value is the objective and data is key.
This RICS document is intended for those engaged in strategic property asset management in the public sector around the world. It considers the changing nature of the role that real estate plays as well as the expectations about it, and it indicates how an organisation should use data to support organisational objectives and inform the strategic asset management.
There will be no going back to historic practices for public-sector real estate. It will be up to our profession to shape its recovery, effect positive change, keep it relevant and demonstrate the value it provides. This RICS document will support our work in doing so.
This document was reissued in October 2022 as practice information. The regulatory requirements remain the same and no material changes have been made to the document. -
Scott schedule
A major feature of defects claims litigation is the Scott Schedule. This can be a particularly useful way of establishing the linkage between cause and effect in any given set of circumstances.
This is a typical Scott Schedule providing the landlord's item-by-item claim schedule and the tenant's item-by-item response.
A completed example is also given for reference (from Appendix D of the Dilapidations guidance note). -
Schedule of dilapidations
The schedule of dilapidations is an extremely important document which, if proven, inevitably has a significant impact on the party receiving the claim. This is usually a tenant but not in every case. It is a document that will be put in front of the court should legal proceedings follow and upon which a claim will be based.
Taken from the 6th edition of the RICS Dilapidations guidance note, this is a sample schedule of dilapidations.
The completed example is taken from the 5th edition of the RICS Dilapidations guidance note. -
Independent expert procedural instructions
Third-party independent surveyors are often used as independent experts in helping to settle rent review disputes. The document below is a template that could be sent to the two other parties detailing the surveyors role and what is expected of them, including Statement of Agreed Facts, agreed schedule of comparable evidence, submissions and counter-submissions.
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Arbitration directions
Sample template of an order for directions for rent review arbitration.
It is helpful if, prior to a preliminary arbitration meeting, the third party sends to both parties suggested draft directions. This will allow the parties to be better prepared for discussions at the preliminary meeting and will give them the opportunity to have agreed as much as possible between themselves before the meeting. -
Duty of care deeds and commercial property (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
This paper gives an outline on the principal issues arising with regard to duty of care deeds. It does not form specific legal advice for your particular situation. Duty of care deeds and the legal issues they raise are complex and will vary depending on the documentation. Therefore, you should not rely upon this paper as legal advice. You should always consider obtaining specific legal advice. -
Limiting liability in property management contracts (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
Property managers manage a high value, complex asset. This means that they are vulnerable to dispute and litigation. Therefore, it is important for property managers to actively manage their risk. A key part of risk management is getting the content of the contract right.
This information paper is intended to briefly explain the principles of liability under English law, how such principles relate to property management contracts and how you should consider addressing liability in your standard contracts. Sample model clauses and examples are included. Please note, however, these are not definitive and you will need to tailor the clauses to your specific situation. -
Sinking funds, reserve funds and depreciation charges (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
Sinking funds, reserve funds and depreciation charges are all ways of making financial provision for future repairs or replacements.
This 2nd edition information paper is in three sections. The first section addresses matters that owners, occupiers, managers and drafting solicitors might like to consider. The second section provides further information in support of the RICS Code of Practice, Service charges in commercial property (‘the Code’). The third section (see appendix A) sets out suggested service charge lease provisions that have been specifically designed to comply with the principles and provisions of the Code. -
Service charges and tenant alterations (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
The fair and equitable apportionment of the costs incurred by a landlord in dealing with common parts, works and services is often relatively straightforward. The most common and simplest method of apportionment is based on floor area, i.e. the proportion the tenant bears is the ratio that the floor area of the premises bears to the aggregate floor area of the whole building or scheme.
However, where a tenant carries out alterations to premises which increases (or decreases) the floor area of the premises (e.g. the installation or removal of a mezzanine floor within the tenant's demise) issues can arise as to the extent to which the tenant's proportion of the landlord's service charge should be increased or decreased, and the potential impact upon the proportion of the service charge payable by other tenants. -
Sustainability and the RICS property lifecycle (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
The chartered surveying profession has long had a role and reputation as being the custodian of the built and natural environment. With a body of knowledge and expertise built up over many years, RICS members are at the core of decision-making on the built and natural environment.
RICS recognises that sustainability should be considered throughout the property lifecycle. The interrelationships of the five phases in the property lifecycle - greenfield and estate management, planning and procurement, new construction, occupation and use (including refurbishment and alterations), demolition and remediation - are critical to achieving sustainability for the property profession.
This document details how sustainability can be embedded into the RICS property lifecycle and provides a resource for engaging our members in sustainability in promoting a positive contribution to our pursuit of sustainable land, property and construction.
This guidance note primarily examines the sustainability interventions and opportunities property professionals can put forward during the design and construction of a building project.
It also forms a starting point for further guidance aimed at the RICS property lifecycle stages. -
Apportionment of service charges in mixed-use developments (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
This information paper was written to address new developments where the service charge apportionment strategy can be constructed simultaneously with the lease documentation. The principles it sets out can be used when considering revising the Apportionment of existing developments where the existing leases do not allow for apportionment to be amended. But consequent complications must be taken into account.
Whatever the circumstances the resultant apportionment strategy must be clearly and transparently set out. It must enable all parties to understand the basis of apportionment and allow for future modifications in the event that circumstances change making a revised apportionment strategy necessary. -
Surveyors and lawyers involved in tenancy renewals under PACT
Published May 2018
Effective from 1 August 2018
The Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 provides for the terms of a renewal lease to be determined by the courts. PACT is a procedure whereby the determination of all or some of the terms for a renewal lease are (with the consent of both parties) 'delegated' to an independent third party, who may act either as an arbitrator or as an independent expert. PACT is the acronym for 'Professional Arbitration on Court Terms', a generic term intended to convey the scope and nature of the procedure available. This 2nd edition refers to a business tenancy rather than a lease, although the terms are interchangeable. -
Is sustainability reflected in commercial property prices: an analysis (RICS)
Published January 2010
This report, by Kingston University with funding from the RICS Foundation, analyses the publicly available evidence base for sustainability being reflected in commercial property prices. -
Valuation and Sale Price Report 2009 (RICS)
Published October 2009
The 2009 report of the annual comparison of valuations against sale prices of commercial property in France Germany, the Netherlands and UK, carried out by Investment Property Databank. -
Doing well by doing good? An analysis of the financial performance of green office buildings (RICS)
Published March 2009
Buildings with a high Energy Star rating are attracting rental premiums of three percent per square foot compared with non-green buildings of the same size, location and function, according to RICS. -
Why do companies rent green? (RICS)
Published November 2009
This report, by Piet Eichholtz, Nils Kok and John Quigley, examines the tenant-base of 'green' office buildings in the USA, to see which organisations seem most likely to occupy 'green' space. -
What is the effect of eco-labelling on office occupancy rates in the USA (RICS)
Published January 2010
Fuerst of the University of Reading, UK, explores the impact of eco-labelling on void rates in commercial office buildings in the USA. -
Discounted cash flow for commercial property investments (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
This guidance note featured as part of the RICS Valuation Standards (the 'Red Book'), 7th edition, 2011. From 2012 this was removed from the Red Book and maintained as a standalone guidance note. -
Application of geographic information systems (GIS) to analyse occupier chains and property market filtering (RICS)
Published March 2010
This report by Paul Greenhalgh and Helen King of Northumbria University, and funded by the RICS Education Trust, explores the use of GIS to analyse property market filtering. -
Establishing a data framework for measuring the price effects of eco-certification (RICS)
Published May 2010
This report, by the University of Reading, with funding from the RICS Education Trust, analyses the data needed to explore the link between the financial and environmental performance of real estate. -
Insurance for commercial property managers (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
This guidance note was designed to outline best practice for property professionals dealing with insurances for commercial property owners.
Since this guidance was published, the former FSA has become two separate regulatory authorities, the FCA and the PRA. -
Expert witness terms of engagement template
This template is adapted from the practice statement and guidance note, Surveyors acting as expert witnesses. Its sample terms are not intended to be mandatory or prescriptive, and may be adapted as required. It is recognised that a variety of circumstances will prevail in the range of assignments surveyors may undertake and that clauses may not be appropriate in every circumstance. For example, where a client appoints a surveyor directly, without using an appointer, the terms would need to be amended accordingly. Other or additional terms of engagement may also be indicated, for example, by a protocol established under the CPR or in guides that supplement the CPR in certain courts.
Disclaimer: Users of this document are responsible for forming their own view as to whether this document and its contents are suitable for use in any particular circumstances. The supply of this document does not constitute legal or other professional advice, nor does it constitute any opinion or recommendation as to how any person should conduct its business or whether any person should or should not enter into any form of contract. Users should, if appropriate, consult their professional advisers as to any such matter. No warranty, express or implied, is given in respect of this document and neither RICS nor the authors shall be liable for any loss or damage of any kind arising directly or indirectly from the use or misuse of this document or from any reliance on it by any person, except to the extent that exclusion of such liability is prohibited by law. -
Managing organisational change (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
These papers are aimed at surveyors who are assisting clients with organisational change or are re-organising their own professional practice. -
Commercial property service charge handover procedures
Published: March 2015
Effective from: March 2015
This guidance note covers commercial multi-let property where there is a service charge. It deals with the handover of financial and supplier information between owners and/ or managers.
Superseding the previous information paper of the same name (published in 2011), this guidance note is aimed at property owners and managers and their legal advisers. Its intention is to set out a series of procedures that will apply during any handover period in order to improve the quality of service to the industry’s customers.
This guidance note covers:
- sale of a property
- change of manager and
- example reconciliation statements. -
An overview and comparison of dispute resolution processes in the UK (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
There are many different dispute resolution processes in the UK, the idea being that all of them strive to meet these aims in different ways. However, 'one size does not fit all', and selecting the wrong process can result in the opposite outcome; an unacceptable result in the longest possible time, with the greatest possible expense and maximum stress on the participants. The purpose of this paper is therefore to give an accurate, non-legalistic and user-friendly overview of the main dispute resolution processes available to the property, land and built environment sectors in the UK. This should assist users in selecting the most suitable dispute resolution process for their particular dispute. -
Security (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
The purpose of this guidance note is to provide chartered facilities management surveyors and other members of RICS who are involved in the property management process, with a resource that can be applied when considering the security needs of an organisation. The guidance note also describes current best practice in the planning and deployment of the measures necessary to deliver appropriate and effective security.
It is not designed to provide the absolute solution for every scenario but will give an understanding of the need for security and the processes that support its application as part of the decision making process. This will assist chartered surveyors in identifying security issues relevant to their organisation and enable them to follow the appropriate course of action. Ultimately, this may require consultation with local authorities, government officials and indeed security consultants with the appropriate level of experience, before a specific course of action is taken.
The 2nd edition came into force on 3 January 2015. -
Surveying safely
Published November 2018
Effective from February 2019
Reissued July 2023
Appropriate management of health and safety is a requirement for all RICS-regulated firms and RICS members, including property-related businesses. The requirement for such management has been put in place in many countries across the globe and across industry sectors and governmental organisations in order to protect individuals from harm.
This professional standard sets out basic, good practice principles for the management of health and safety for RICS-regulated firms and RICS members. It sets out principles for those engaged in the built environment as property professionals and includes health and safety responsibilities:
• at a corporate level (whether the RICS-regulated firm is large or small) and
• at the level of the individual RICS member.
It covers property-related businesses and identifies the moral, ethical and practical issues that confront RICS-regulated firms and RICS members everywhere, in all the work that they undertake.
This document came into effect on 1 February 2019.
This document was reissued in July 2023 as a professional standard. It had previously been published in November 2018 as a guidance note. The regulatory requirements remain the same and no material changes have been made to the document. -
UK commercial real estate agency standards
Published October 2016
Effective from 1 November 2016
With the increased focus on the need for ethical practice and transparency in the commercial property market, this professional statement sets out clearly the responsibilities of commercial property agents to ensure they are working to the highest ethical and professional standards. -
Conflicts of interest for members acting as dispute resolvers (UK)
Published November 2020
Effective from 1 February 2021
Reissued October 2022
This professional standard covers the appointment of surveyors as arbitrators, independent experts, mediators, adjudicators, and other dispute resolvers.
Surveyors may be appointed as dispute resolvers either by private agreement between the parties in dispute, or via RICS or other formal appointing parties, such as the Law Society or the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).
The aim of this second edition professional standard is to provide advice on dealing with possible conflicts of interest for surveyors who are appointed to resolve disputes. It also helps all parties involved in a dispute to understand the main principles and considerations, and to be aware of when an involvement may develop into a conflict of interest.
This document was reissued in October 2022 as a professional standard. It had previously been published in November 2020 as a guidance note. The regulatory requirements remain the same and no material changes have been made to the document. -
Ethics in UK real estate practices (RICS)
Published July 2010
This research investigates professional ethics in small and large surveying practices. -
Section 5 offer notice
Section 5 requires the landlord to serve an offer notice on the qualifying tenants of the flats contained in the property. Each offer notice must comply with the requirements set out in the subsection of Section 5 that relates to the particular proposed disposal:
Section 5A: a proposed contract to create or transfer an estate or interest in land (not applicable to the grant of an option or right of pre-emption);
Section 5B: a proposed sale at a public auction to be held in England and Wales;
Section 5C: a proposed grant of an option or right of pre-emption;
Section 5D: a proposed disposal not made in pursuance of a contract, option or right of pre-emption.
Where the disposal is wholly or partly non-monetary, the requirements of Section 5E must be complied with.
These document templates are provided as samples only. It is the user's responsibility to check and adapt them as necessary to suit the particular instruction and prevailing circumstances. -
Is it worth carrying out energy efficiency improvements to commercial real estate? (RICS)
Published July 2010
The past decade has seen a marked increase in our awareness of the effect of climate change on the global environment. Real estate is directly responsible for 43% of all annual carbon emissions related to energy consumption. Yet in the commercial real estate markets, attention has been primarily focused on new construction and green buildings as the solution to reduce our carbon footprint. -
A review of the practical uses of real property options (RICS)
Published April 2005
Real property options are among the earliest modelled real options, with now six primary practical uses: planning, investment timing, leasing, operations, funding and industry strategy. -
Changes and flexibility: The role of serviced office space in corporate property portfolios and office markets (RICS)
Published December 2000
With the increasing pace of change, organisations have sought new property solutions which provide greater flexibility. Serviced offices appeared to be a means of gaining this flexibility and, therefore, were examined to determine both their place within the business space market and the way in which they were perceived and used by occupiers. -
From rents to revenues: can property become a service industry? (RICS)
Published January 2003
This research report outlines the results of an investigation of the implications for valuation practice of the generation of non-rental revenue streams by property owners. -
Property advice for business occupiers: from asset valuation to business property appraisal (RICS)
Published January 2002
The need for international property advice is increasing, and the requirement to value without national boundaries is becoming implicit in international accounts and corporate property decisions of international companies. -
Property risk scoring: the reporting of investment risk to clients (RICS)
Published April 2007
In this new research, Norman Hutchison and colleagues put forward an alternative paradigm for the reporting of investment quality risk centred on techniques that are used within business applications. -
RICS Small Business Retail Lease (ARCHIVED)
Please note: These downloads have been archived and are available on isurv for information purposes only.
This lease is has been drafted specifically for high street retail property. It is written in plain English and provides flexible terms for a short term lease (of up to 5 years) with no rent review.
A lease is a binding contract in law and signing a lease on a property is one of the most significant financial commitments that a business can make. As a tenant it is essential that your lease matches your business requirements and that your fully understand all of its terms and conditions. -
Managing mixed use developments (ARCHIVE)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
This guidance note, published in September 2012, addresses the issue of managing mixed use buildings and estates, i.e. those with a mix of commercial and residential units; most specifically, long leasehold residential flats.
Relevant to properties in England and Wales, this document is based upon two previous RICS papers: Managing mixed use developments (2009) and Apportionment of service charges in mixed use developments (2009).
Managing mixed use developments (2009) is an information paper written to address the issues of mixed use buildings – those with a mix of commercial and long leasehold residential flats. -
Impacts of flooding on SMEs and their relevance to chartered surveyors (RICS)
Published September 2012
This report looks at chartered surveyors’ knowledge and understanding of both direct and indirect impacts of flooding on SMEs. -
TUPE: information for property managers (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
TUPE stands for The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006. New regulations to update TUPE 2006 came into force on 31 January 2014 under The Collective Redundancies and Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (Amendment) Regulations 2014.
The purpose of TUPE is to provide employment protection on the transfer of a business from one individual to another or a change in responsibility for a contracted out service. In applying it, employment tribunals generally adopt what they call a ‘purposive’ approach, which effectively means they interpret TUPE to protect employees in line with the social objectives of the European ARD. -
Sustainability: improving performance in existing buildings (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
Clients are increasingly striving to achieve the standards set for sustainability in new buildings when commissioning works to improve the sustainability of existing buildings, despite both the technical and economic constraints presented.
Sustainable buildings are resource-efficient throughout that building's life-cycle: from location, design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition, and aim to complement the classical building design concerns of economy, utility, durability, and comfort. -
Strategic facilities management (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
This guidance note applies globally. It provides practitioners with operational pointers to best practice in the management of facilities, while exploring the depth of the facilities management discipline and the advantages to organisations which position the facilities role appropriately within their corporate structures.
It supersedes a previous guidance note: The strategic role of facilities management in business performance, 2nd edition. -
Dilapidations (Hong Kong) (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
This publication is an adaptation of the RICS guidance note: Dilapidations, 6th edition (England and Wales), providing guidance to RICS members operating in Hong Kong.
It is intended to: adapt UK best practices for RICS members in Hong Kong dealing with dilapidations in leased premises, particularly dilapidation claims, forfeiture and break clauses in the lease/tenancy, and dispute settlement; and introduce a Schedule of Dilapidation (SD) Scheme to deal with dilapidations in Hong Kong. -
High streets: adapting to change (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
This 1st edition information paper addresses the factors behind the decline of retailing on the high street and in town centres, as well as discussing some possible solutions for the future of these places in terms of retail and beyond retail. -
Technical due diligence of commercial, industrial and residential property in Continental Europe (ARCHIVED)
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
Technical due diligence reports, which detail the physical condition of a property, are increasingly in demand throughout continental Europe, as financial institutions, investors and owner-occupiers look ever more closely at the risks of buying and selling property. -
Surveyors acting as arbitrators in commercial property rent reviews in Scotland
Published August 2014
Effective from August 2014
Reissued February 2024
This professional standard is designed primarily to assist those who are appointed to act as arbitrator, either by the Chairman of RICS Scotland, or directly by the parties to a dispute. It is also intended to assist the parties themselves and those acting for them by making them aware of the procedures likely to be followed.
This professional standard is based on the law and practice relating to arbitrations in Scotland, which are governed by the Arbitration (Scotland) Act 2010.
See also: Surveyors acting as independent experts in commercial property rent reviews in Scotland.
This document was reissued in February 2024 as a professional standard. It had previously been published in August 2014 as a guidance note. No material changes have been made to the document. -
Real estate management
This professional statement applies to the management of both commercial and residential real estate.
It outlines the principles that shape the culture of fairness and transparency that underpin all activities undertaken by real estate managers within whichever country they practice, and applies to all RICS members involved with the sale, letting, leasing and management of real estate, whatever the form of tenure by which it is held or occupied. -
Surveyors acting as independent experts in commercial property rent reviews in Scotland
Published January 2015
This guidance note is designed primarily to assist those who are appointed either by the chairman of RICS Scotland, or directly by the parties to a dispute, to act as an independent expert to determine their dispute. It is also intended to assist the parties themselves and those acting for them by making them aware of the procedures likely to be followed.
See also: Surveyors acting as arbitrators in commercial property rent reviews in Scotland, 9th edition (2014).
The previous 8th edition is available on isurv for information purposes only. -
Surveyors acting as arbitrators in commercial property rent reviews
Published April 2013
Effective from April 2013
Reissued December 2023
This professional standard is designed primarily to assist those who are appointed to act as arbitrator, either by the President of RICS, or directly by the parties to a dispute. It is also intended to assist the parties themselves and those acting for them by making them aware of the procedures likely to be followed.
See also: Surveyors acting as independent experts in commercial property rent reviews, 9th edition (2014).
This document was reissued in December 2023 as a professional standard. It had previously been published in April 2013 as a guidance note. No material changes have been made to the document. -
Surveyors acting as independent experts in commercial property rent reviews
Published February 2014
This 9th edition guidance note is designed primarily to assist those who are appointed either by the President of RICS, or directly by the parties to a dispute, to act as an independent expert to determine their dispute. It is also intended to assist the parties themselves and those acting for them by making them aware of the procedures likely to be followed.
See also: Surveyors acting as arbitrators in commercial property rent reviews, 9th edition (2013).
The previous 8th edition is available on isurv for information purposes only. -
BIM for beginners
The built environment sector is full of debate about BIM. In these times it is crucial to be clear on the current and future state of BIM.
This document is based on key points from the RICS guidance note 'International BIM implementation guide'. It gives a brief introduction to BIM for those who have yet to work with it. It looks at:
- what BIM is
- the technology behind BIM
- how BIM is used in project delivery and
- the implications of BIM on organisations. -
RICS property measurement
Published January 2018
Effective from 1 May 2018
Reissued May 2024
Following the publication of IPMS: All Buildings, please note this document is in the process of being updated. Please see the RICS website for further updates.
RICS property measurement comprises the following two elements:
1. Professional statement: property measurement
a) Application of this professional statement
b) Technical definitions
c) IPMS: Office Buildings, as applied under the professional statement
d) IPMS: Residential Buildings as applied under the professional statement (applies to office measurements and residential measurements only – download these below).
2. RICS IPMS data standard
This document reflects the IPMS standards (IPMS: Office Buildings and IPMS: Residential) and will be updated over time to comply with other IPMS standards, including industrial, retail and mixed use, as they are published.
For all building classes except offices and residential buildings, the bases of measurement contained within the Code of measuring practice, 6th edition (COMP) may still apply though the application of this professional statement applies to all building classes. The COMP was effective globally from 18 May 2015, though early adoption of IPMS is recommended on publication of the new standards.
Software developers and those requiring the use of structured data are advised to follow the schemas as defined, and those wishing to pursue RICS software certification must demonstrate compliance with this data standard. This data standard is an XML schema and is available to download.
A user guide to the standard, intended for implementers, is available for download. For more information please email datastandards@rics.org. -
Innovative finance for real estate development in Pan-European regeneration (RICS)
Published March 2015
A critical review and analysis of innovative financial instruments for real estate development in Western Europe: the UK, Germany and Holland. This research outcomes will be useful to EU and European national policy makers in public finance and real estate development.
RICS research content is available to everyone, free of charge on the RICS website. Non-members will need to register. RICS members and registered non-members will need to login to see the particular research items. See also the full list of RICS research held on rics.org -
Climatic risk toolkit (RICS)
Published March 2015
This RICS research report and online tool help the built environment sector in 8 European countries determine the risk and impact climate change will have on non-domestic, or commercial, buildings. -
Surveyors acting as experts in commercial rent determinations (Hong Kong)
This joint HKIS and RICS guidance note is designed primarily to assist those who are appointed by the President, or directly by the parties, to act as experts in disputes as to rental value for commercial properties. It is also intended to assist the parties themselves, and those acting for them, by making them aware of the procedures likely to be followed and issues involved.
The guidance note is not intended to provide guidance to those acting as arbitrators where other specific procedures will be relevant. A surveyor may also be called upon by the parties to a lease to determine other matters in dispute, such as a valuation in connection with an option to purchase.
The guidance note sets out, in general terms, the basic principles that would apply. -
Tenant representative process
Published March 2016
Effective from 11 April 2016
This guidance note, effective in Australia, aims to assist practitioners in professionally advising their tenant clients.
It covers typical requirements that advisors should be aware of, and clearly sets out the four key stages in the tenant representative process:
- detailed needs analysis
- the market review
- short list review and
- negotiation and documentation. -
Conflicts of interest – global
Published March 2017
Effective from 1 January 2018
Reissued July 2023
The global professional standard on conflicts of interest provides clear rules for RICS members and regulated firms to identify and manage potential conflicts of interest.
Effective identification and management of conflicts of interest is an essential component of professionalism. The professional standard provides confidence to clients and consumers that RICS members and regulated firms are operating to the highest ethical standards.
Following extensive industry consultation and feedback, RICS developed this professional standard to provide clarification on:
- competing bidders
- effective date/transition
- conflicts arising during professional assignments
- passing confidential information to insurers and legal advisers.
The conflicts of interest professional standard, which supports the RICS Rules of Conduct, places an overarching mandatory requirement on all RICS members and regulated firms and specifies RICS’ expectations of how compliance with the Rules of Conduct should be achieved.
This document was reissued in July 2023 as a professional standard. It had previously been published in March 2017 as a guidance note. No material changes have been made to the document. -
Conflicts of interest: UK commercial property market investment agency
Published May 2017
Effective from 1 January 2018
Reissued June 2024
This professional standard provides RICS members and RICS regulated firms with mandatory requirements when acting on the open market sale or acquisition of a commercial investment real estate opportunity in the UK in order to avoid conflicts of interest prejudicial to their clients’ best interests.
It covers:
- dual agency, including related firms
- multiple introductions and
- incremental advice.
This document was reissued in June 2024 as a professional standard. It had previously been published in May 2017 as a professional statement. No material changes have been made to the document.
See also RICS' global professional standard 'Conflicts of interest' at: www.isurv.com/downloads/download/2140/conflicts_of_interest_–_global -
Raising the bar: From operational excellence to strategic impact in FM (RICS)
Published March 2017
The third instalment in RICS’ ground-breaking 'Raising the Bar' research series makes a powerful case for how, as an industry, FM makes significant contributions to business success and organisational effectiveness. This report reviews the current state of the FM industry and is published in collaboration with IFMA. -
Environmental risks and global real estate
Published November 2018
Effective from December 2018
Reissued April 2024
Both in real terms and in the growth of legislation, environmental considerations affect real estate in all sectors. Increasingly, there are implications for how we buy, sell, use and value real estate.
This first edition professional standard is aimed principally at the land and property acquisition, disposal and asset management stages of the property life cycle. It aims to provide guidance to chartered surveyors who are not specialists in environmental considerations and management or in the preparation of environmental reports including Land Quality Statements and Environmental Screening Reports. -
Countering bribery and corruption, money laundering and terrorist financing
Published February 2019
Effective from 1 September 2019
Reissued October 2022
This global professional standard sets out mandatory requirements for RICS members and RICS-regulated firms in relation to bribery, corruption, money laundering and terrorist financing.
It is divided into three parts:
1. Mandatory requirements for anti-bribery and corruption and for anti-money laundering and terrorist financing.
2. Guidance setting out supporting good practice regarding each of these areas.
3. Supplementary guidance on some key concepts described in parts 1 and 2.
If this document contradicts local legislation then the legislation takes precedence. -
Valuation and sale price
Published March 2019
Reissued September 2024
The MSCI Real Estate Valuation and sale price study has been running for over 20 years. This study is an important measure for the investment valuation community and contributes to the transparency and integrity of the marketplace. Valuations are key to performance measurement and pricing in the property industry.
This report compares data from the 2017 MSCI UK Annual Property Index against the sale prices of UK commercial property. It analyses the performance of the valuation profession in the UK property market by tracking the difference between valuations of real estate against actual sales.
This report addresses two key questions in the UK market:
1. How much do sale prices differ from previous valuations?
2. Are differences random or were sale prices consistently above or below the latest valuation?
This document was reissued in September 2024 as practice information. It had previously been published in March 2019 as an insight paper. No material changes have been made to the document. -
The use and value of commercial property data
Published April 2019
Reissued September 2024
This practice information discusses the benefits of and challenges to an increasing use of data in the commercial property market. The paper deals with the ownership of data, its security and regulation.
Data concerns almost every aspect of the built environment: from how we use and interact with properties as individuals and businesses, through to how a building's energy consumption and construction details are being recorded and analysed to help surveyors, asset managers, building managers, developers and investors make informed decisions about real estate processes.
The industry appears to be at a tipping point, with surveyors and other property professionals having to use skills beyond the traditional surveying competencies. Data analysis is one such area that is growing in importance. It is no longer enough simply to possess data; the value lies in being able to use it.
This paper aims to discuss the benefits of and challenges to an increasing use of data in the commercial property market. It considers not only its availability and quality but also the skills needed by surveyors to recognise its uses and maximise the value in analysing it. The paper deals with the ownership of data, its security and regulation and also makes predictions and recommendations for the future of a property world full of accurate, easily available data.
This document was reissued in September 2024 as practice information. It had previously been published in April 2019 as an insight paper. No material changes have been made to the document. -
Performance metrics, required returns and achieved returns for UK real estate development
The aim of this research is to improve the understanding of the form, extent and variability of the financial returns achieved by real estate developers, focusing on the UK real estate market.
Profits or returns from real estate development vary depending on the nature, location and timing of each scheme. Development appraisal methods vary in the way that they incorporate or measure developer returns. Cash margins on cost or value are very common, while rates of return are frequently used as well. Sometimes finance is incorporated in the valuation explicitly and sometimes it is absorbed within the developer's rate of return.
This variation among market participants and across methods in the handling of developer returns raises methodological questions when it comes to development appraisal. For example, is there a relationship between expected cash margins (profit on cost or value, for example) and rates of return, what is an 'appropriate' developer return, and how do returns vary depending on scheme, timing and the way the return is measured?
This research attempts to answer these questions by (a) reviewing relevant literature, (b) examining published development viability appraisals, (c) analysing published accounts for real estate developers, and (d) undertaking a survey of developers, supplemented by a small number of confidential interviews with market participants. -
Surveyors advising in respect of the Electronic Communications Code
Published November 2019
Effective from 14 November 2019
Reissued 2 August 2024
The electronic communications sector has witnessed dramatic evolution both in terms of the development of new technologies and the demand for services. This has resulted in a profound shift in the way digital electronic communications are deployed, accessed and used. The government acknowledged this by enacting the Electronic Communications Code at the end of 2017, as part of the Digital Economy Act 2017, to facilitate the delivery and maintenance of high quality digital electronic communications infrastructure and to accommodate future technological development. The Code regulates the relationship between electronic communications network operators, infrastructure providers and site providers throughout the UK and provides a statutory framework for establishing agreements to place, operate and maintain electronic communications apparatus on land and property.
The government’s objective is to achieve the right balance of interests between site providers, electronic communications providers and, most importantly, the public interest in access to a choice of high-quality electronic communications services, and a competitive and sustainable digital communications infrastructure.
The aim of this standard is to highlight the main factors that may influence or impact the variety of roles a surveyor may be called on to perform within this environment. Given the dynamic nature of the industry, it is not intended to provide an exhaustive body of guidance but to identify the main issues likely to arise. This ground-breaking guidance note will also provide a framework that surveyors can refer to when advising their clients in relation to electronic communications networks and installations that fall under the scope of the Electronic Communications Code. -
Code for leasing business premises
Published February 2020
Effective from 1 September 2020
Reissued September 2023
This RICS professional standard is the result of pan-industry discussion between representatives of landlords, tenants and other trade bodies.
The objective is to improve the quality and fairness of negotiations on lease terms and to promote the issue of comprehensive heads of terms that should make the legal drafting process more efficient. The standard and code do not prescribe the outcome, but seek to make it fair and balanced by identifying the terms that are usually important and encouraging both parties to obtain advice from property professionals. This enables negotiations to proceed properly so that each party can make an informed decision about whether to proceed on the terms that they negotiate.
The lease code and the accompanying template heads of terms and checklist should be used as a reminder for negotiations before the grant of a new lease and at the time of any lease renewal. They should assist RICS members in ensuring that landlords, tenants and guarantors who they are advising have a clear understanding of the commitments that they are entering into.
The professional standard applies to lettings of premises in England and Wales to tenants who will carry on trade, professional or other business activities in them, but it does not apply to agricultural lettings, premises that will only be used for housing plant and equipment (such as electricity transformers or telecoms) or advertising media (such as hoardings), premises that are intended to be wholly sublet by the tenant, or to premises being let for a period of not more than six months.
This document was reissued in September 2023 as a professional standard. It had previously been published in February 2020 as a professional statement. No material changes have been made to the document. -
Beyond COVID-19: Reopening of commercial buildings
This document has global applicability and is designed to give support and advice on the preparations and considerations for the reopening of commercial buildings once pandemic lockdown restrictions are lifted.
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Beyond COVID-19: Inspections and visits for non-domestic properties
Recommendations on inspections and visits for non-domestic properties during COVID-19 in England.
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The age of unreal estate: the changing use and value of commercial property
Published October 2020
Reissued September 2024
We are in the middle of a period of drastic socioeconomic change, change that has widespread implications for the use of real estate. Rapid technological advances, a growing emphasis on environmental and social impacts, and the wellbeing and productivity of a building’s users have all become important drivers for reconsidering how we think about property. COVID-19 dramatically accelerated this conversation, radically changing demand for and use of buildings across the built environment while bringing unprecedented challenges.
Real estate must and will respond. For it to do so, we must ask how it will remain relevant to its customers, and therefore how RICS professionals engaged in its design, supply and management will also ensure that they remain relevant in a changing landscape.
This practice information suggests an agenda for change, including a customer-centric, people-centric and responsible approach that recognises the rapidly evolving role of real estate. While compliance, cost and function remain critical, they must now be considered alongside other factors of equal importance to organisational objectives, such as environmental performance, stimulation and the experience that they provide. To measure a building's performance in these areas and inform professionals’ decision-making, better and more detailed data will be key.
This document was reissued in September 2024 as practice information. It had previously been published in October 2020 as an insight paper. No material changes have been made to the document. -
Planned preventative maintenance
Published January 2022
Effective from 1 April 2022
Reissued October 2022
This professional standard has global application to commercial and residential property. It sets out the general principles that should be adopted when undertaking a planned preventative maintenance (PPM) survey and report for built assets, and provides RICS members, regulated firms and their clients with a source of best practice.
It focuses on PPM reports for built assets (the type a building surveyor would undertake), rather than the type of planned maintenance reports for MEPF asset/component replacement that might be carried out by an MEPF engineer or facilities manager.
PPM surveying has become a core service provided by chartered building surveyors. It is key to helping clients understand the current condition of their real estate assets, which enables them to plan the necessary investment to ensure each element of the building performs as intended. Although the term PPM refers to ‘preventative’ maintenance, it should be acknowledged that maintenance is not always preventative. This standard concerns all aspects of planned maintenance.
Key topics include:
- client instruction, expectations and requirements
- survey preparation, including competence, information gathering, equipment, health and safety and third-party consultants
- conducting the inspection, including recording data, access and building elements
- legal and technical, including health and safety, fire engineering and accessibility, and
- producing a report, including the PPM schedule, report contents and cost data.
The standard also includes a PPM services checklist which is provided as a separate download.
This document was reissued in October 2022 as a professional standard. It had previously been published in January 2022 as a guidance note. The regulatory requirements remain the same and no material changes have been made to the document. -
Property agency and management principles
Published 24 October 2024
Effective from 1 January 2025
This is a high-level global professional standard that sets out the principles for RICS members and RICS-regulated firms operating in residential, commercial and combined real estate agency and management.
This professional standard covers:
- sales
- lettings
- management and
- auctioneering.