menu close
rics-logo
search close
rics-logo

Popular searches

    close
    search

    The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has launched a consultation for a new code of practice for residential stock condition surveys.

    Affordable and social rented housing quality continues to be in the spotlight. With over 4 million households living in affordable and social rented housing in the UK, there is a clear need for consistency to further raise housing standards.

    RICS is developing a new Residential Stock Condition Survey Code of Practice to assist all professionals, including RICS members working in the sector. Setting out how to carry out stock condition surveys, from start to finish, will provide greater assurance to tenants, boards and other key stakeholders. This will empower all social housing providers, from housing associations and local authorities to arms-length management organisations (ALMOs) to better manage their homes.

    This comprehensive guidance is being designed not only for RICS members and regulated firms, but for all social housing providers to drive better quality across the sector.

    Mairéad Carroll, Senior Specialist, Residential, at RICS, said: “The new code outlines the core principles of stock condition surveys, including legal and regulatory frameworks, best practice, survey design, and post-survey work. It sets out practical templates and guidance to support effective implementation, helping organisations prepare for the next phase of stock condition surveys and improving the likelihood of successful outcomes.

    “I would encourage RICS members and firms, social housing providers, and others working across the housing sector to engage with this consultation. Gaining the insight of people working in social housing will be critical to make sure that we get this code of practice right from day one.

    The consultation is open until 26 January 2026 and may be found at this link.

    -ENDS-

    About RICS

    We are RICS. Everything we do is designed to effect positive change in the built and natural environments. Through our respected global standards, leading professional progression and our trusted data and insight, we promote and enforce the highest professional standards in the development and management of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure.

    Our work with others provides a foundation for confident markets, pioneers better places to live and work and is a force for positive social impact.

    For more information:

    Kris Hicks

    Khicks@rics.org

    press@rics.org

    You may also be interested in

    Budget 2025: RICS priorities to government – and impact to renters

    RICS is outlining the key measures we believe are essential to unlock growth, improve resilience and support sustainable investment across the built and natural environment.

    Housing market stalls as pre-budget anxieties hit buyer confidence

    The latest RICS UK Residential Market Survey for October 2025 reveals a notable cooling across the UK’s housing market, with buyer demand, sales activity and new instructions all falling further into negative territory.

    RICS calls for bold reform by Chancellor to unlock sustainable growth

    RICS urges the UK Government to use the 2025 Budget as a pivotal opportunity to modernise the economic and regulatory framework supporting sustainable growth, fairness, and resilience across the built environment.

    UK Influence and Advocacy Update – October 2025

    October has been a pivotal month for RICS advocacy, with significant contributions across housing reform, energy efficiency, leasehold protections, and political engagement.

    RICS at the 2025 UK Party Political Conferences

    Each year, the UK’s party-political conferences give RICS a valuable platform to champion our profession and the impact of the built and natural environment.

    Subdued momentum persists in UK housing market amidst Autumn Budget uncertainty

    The latest RICS UK Residential Market Survey reveals that subdued momentum continued to characterise the housing market in September.

    RICS responds to major changes in home buying and selling

    The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) welcomes today’s announcement that the UK Government will launch a consultation on wide-ranging reforms to the home buying and selling process.

    UK Influence and Advocacy Update August 2025

    Throughout August, even with Parliament in recess, RICS continued to strengthen its voice across Westminster and the devolved administrations, engaging with policymakers to raise the profile and influence of the surveying profession.

    RICS responds to Scottish Government’s Housing Emergency Action Plan

    Yesterday, the Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Mhari McAllan set out Scottish Government’s Housing Emergency Action Plan, which details the Government’s next set of actions to tackle homelessness, mitigate rent increases and deliver additional housing across multiple tenure-types.

    UK house sales stabilise but uncertainties remain

    The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has published its UK Residential Market Survey for June 2025.

    UK Influence and Advocacy Update - June 2025

    As the built environment continues to take centre stage in the UK Government’s agenda, RICS has remained at the forefront

    RICS: Housing market remains subdued in May but outlook brightens as sales stabilise

    The May 2025 Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), UK Residential Market Survey results point to a housing market that remains subdued, though signs are emerging that the worst may be over for now.