RICS Announces Improvements to Consumer Protection

RICS is committed to enhancing consumer outcomes for those using surveying services. We know that some consumers can find the current landscape difficult to navigate, and that there is more that organisations across the sector can do together to make support clearer, simpler, and more effective.

Over the past year, RICS’ independently led regulatory function has undertaken significant work to strengthen consumer protection. This has included consumer research with recent homebuyers, engagement with consumer and redress organisations, a major review of the Home Survey Standard which aims to ensure the highest quality of service to meet changing consumer needs, and consultation on whether a dedicated home survey scheme could provide additional assurance through reporting, audit and CPD (Continuing Professional Development) requirements.

RICS has also taken practical steps to strengthen protections for consumers, including changes to professional indemnity insurance requirements to reinforce run-off cover where firms cease to be regulated, as well as reviewing areas such as ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution), client money protection and consumer redress.

RICS is pleased to announce today three further areas of improvement to consumer protection.

As of July 2026 consumers will now have access to an RICS funded ADR provision for a year after a firm ceases to be regulated. This will increase the level of coverage for consumers going forward.

Alongside this RICS is creating a new member-led consumer panel that will monitor the consumer landscape, which will report and make recommendation to RICS’ Governing Council to better protect consumers.

RICS will also use its wider role as a professional body working in the public interest to bring together organisations across the consumer protection landscape to explore how we can better align our work, reduce gaps in support, and improve outcomes for consumers. The initial focus will be home surveys, where we believe there is an opportunity to improve collaboration, reduce gaps in support, and make it easier for consumers to understand where to go for help when choosing or using surveying services.

This is about moving from regulatory insight into sector-wide action, ensuring that professional standards, consumer support and redress routes work together more clearly and effectively for the public.