The Importance of Meeting RICS Regulations for Surveyors: Elevate Your Business

Unfortunately, it can sometimes get overlooked as we get busy with our work, businesses and generating income in uncertain times.  As a chartered surveyor with a background in defect and valuation claims, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of adhering to these standards and the personal consequences for surveyors when they don’t.

Why RICS Regulations Matter

RICS is a globally recognised professional body that promotes and enforces the highest land, property, and construction standards. The institution's regulations are designed to protect consumers and maintain the integrity of the surveying profession - our royal charter is there for the public advantage. 

At its best, regulation in all sectors should be there to support, so it doesn’t help for regulators to call themselves ‘the police’. Regulation in whatever industry you work starts with ourselves, working out how we want to do business and the standards we want to meet, achieve and exceed. And it’s very often motivated by our own experiences - of poor previous work environments, for example. So it can drive our businesses in the right direction when we first make that leap. 

Creating and shaping a business based on a fear of getting it wrong means we are more likely to make short-term decisions we can’t stick to. It’s like yo-yo dieting; we all know a healthy eating plan is much more likely to be enjoyed and get results.

We must also remember that regulations, standards, and guidance can be best practices or, in the case of the RICS Home Survey Standards - a minimum standard.

WEll-run businesses are less likely to get claims, and if they do, they are less likely to be complex, so paying attention to your business makes sense. The problem is we don’t make the time, things slip, and we trip up.

Tips for Ensuring Compliance with RICS Regulations

1. Despite the complaints about how RICS serves its members, they do hold some one-day Red Book Compliance Workshops. Register for them whenever offered, this is good quality free CPD. Set yourself an annual reminder to review your processes.
2. Where you have the most support in your business, you have the most success, so ensure all your staff - employees or contractors understand the importance of the RICS regulations and how to comply with them in their daily tasks. If you ask them, they have some great ideas to implement too.
3. Set up an online library, a black regulation box if you like, that anyone in your business can access.  We often have a technical library to get to the juicy defect stuff, but only sometimes for the regulation. Rember to keep it up to date, or delegate responsibility to someone.
4. Plan your CPD with intention. We shouldn’t just meet the hours required of us. Include learning how to run and improve your business too; it can count as formal CPD too.
5. One of my favourite Surveyor Hub Podcasts is this one with Larry Russen, where we talk about Larry’s career and what it means to self-regulate. So give it a listen, and I hope you find it insightful.

Pride in your profession also means pride in your business. Being clear on your business's standards can enhance your credibility for future employees, stay current with industry trends, and provide clients with the highest level of service. 

A career in residential surveying is not for the faint-hearted; we need to be in it for the long term. Ensuring your business remains compliant with RICS regulations and thrives in a competitive market takes a healthy eating plan, not a yo-yo diet.

Marion Ellis FRICS

Love Surveying Ltd

Marion Ellis is the founder of Love Surveying and the host of The Surveyor Hub Podcast. Listen here and find out more at www.lovesurveying.com