This document was reissued in April 2023 as a professional standard. It had previously been published in January 2020 as a guidance note. The regulatory requirements remain the same and no material changes have been made to the document. For more information on the document category changes, see Upholding professional standards.
The term ‘technical due diligence’ (TDD) is generally adopted by the industry. Building survey, building condition inspection, pre-acquisition survey or vendor survey are also often utilised. The term ‘structural survey’ should not be used.
This standard should be considered adaptable for all types of commercial and industrial property, including hotels, retail, healthcare, education, residential apartment blocks, etc.
Clients should be encouraged to avoid imposing restrictions and limitations that compromise the technical due diligence process and dilute its contents and/or effectiveness.
RICS is concerned that RICS members only undertake work they are competent to do in fields or specialisms for which their training and background experience are appropriate and relevant. It is important that RICS members or RICS regulated firms undertaking technical due diligence have experience in this field or are appropriately supervised by an RICS member or RICS regulated firm with relevant experience. The RICS technical due diligence schedule of services has been provided in Appendix A. These forms may be used in conjunction with the RICS Short Form of Consultant’s Appointment for Designated Services available from RICS. Note that these forms were written for use in England and Wales and are appended to this guidance note as an example only. Services to be included in a technical due diligence survey may differ between countries, states and regions, and the list of services should therefore be tailored according to the brief.
This professional standard became effective for all regulated members and firms globally on 1 April 2020.
Published date: 30 March 2023