Commissioning environmental assessments

Environmental matters are essential to real-estate practice, corporate transactions and construction development.

This section examines the types of environmental service required by chartered surveyors and real-estate advisers as these become more numerous and broader in scope in order to meet demand. It begins by introducing the key reasons for undertaking an environmental assessment, before discussing these in the context of real-estate transactions.

The practical aspects of selecting and appointing environmental consultants themselves are also considered. A summary is provided in the form of a checklist of key points.

This section is maintained by Polly Clifton and Ruth Martin, Technical Directors, Waterman Infrastructure & Environment Ltd.

Document template: Environmental consultant’s appointment checklist

Document template: Memorandum of agreement for the appointment of an expert environmental consultant

RICS journal article: Bracing the UK for rising flood risk

RICS journal article: Flood risk in London

RICS standard: RICS Valuation – Global Standards

RICS standard: Environmental risks and global real estate