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 continues to champion professionalism, consumer protection, and sustainability in the built environment, working closely with government, industry, and the public.

RICS Responds to Government’s Home Buying and Selling Reform Proposals

RICS has welcomed the UK Government’s announcement of a major consultation aimed at reforming the home buying and selling process. With nearly one in three agreed sales collapsing before completion and average transaction times stretching to five or six months, RICS has long called for change to reduce stress, cost, and uncertainty for consumers. Throughout October, RICS hosted several member roundtables, gathering insight and suggestions from sole practitioners, SMEs and larger firms. 

Key proposals include:

• Upfront Information: RICS backs the introduction of consistent and comprehensive upfront property information, including condition assessments conducted by qualified professionals.
• Professional Standards: A new Code of Practice and mandatory qualifications for property professionals are seen as essential to improving consumer outcomes.
• Technology and AI: RICS welcomes the role of digitisation and AI in improving efficiency and reliability, which will be supported by our recent publication of the world’s first global standard for responsible use of AI in surveying.
• Material Information Consultation: RICS strongly supports the separate consultation on Material Information, particularly its impact on property searches and surveys.

Calls for bold reform to unlock sustainable growth

In October, RICS issued a high-impact policy call urging the Chancellor Rachel Reeves to seize the 2025 Budget as a turning point for sustainable economic reform. RICS outlined a comprehensive set of evidence-based recommendations across four key areas: business rates, high street revitalisation, green investment, and planning reform.

RICS advocated for a fairer, more transparent business rates system to support competitiveness and regional regeneration, alongside targeted incentives to drive sustainable investment. We called for greater clarity on energy efficiency standards and professionalised retrofit practices to unlock the green economy and end uncertainty for businesses and landlords. On planning, we proposed reforms to streamline processes and reduce disputes, including wider adoption of its Professional Standard on Compulsory Purchase.

This policy intervention reinforces RICS’s commitment to shaping a resilient, net-zero built environment and positions the profession as a leading voice in the national economic debate ahead of the 2025 Budget.

RICS at the 2025 UK Party Conferences

RICS had a strong presence at the UK’s major party conferences this autumn, bringing together surveyors, policymakers and industry leaders promote evidence-based solutions to housing and infrastructure challenges.

At the Labour Party Conference, RICS hosted events on New Towns, housing delivery and quality in social homes, while at the Conservative and Liberal Democrat conferences, RICS emphasised the importance of professional standards in planning, retrofit, and leasehold reform.

These engagements reinforced RICS’ role as a trusted voice in shaping policy and regulation across the built environment.

Awaab’s Law: Supporting Safer Social Housing

RICS welcomed the introduction of Awaab’s Law, which mandates social landlords to act swiftly on health hazards such as damp and mould. With over two million people estimated to live in affected homes, RICS emphasised the need for investment in training and operational capacity to meet new legal obligations.

RICS’ Damp and Mould Consumer Guide, authored by Professor Michael Parrett FRICS, continues to support both tenants and landlords in identifying and resolving issues and will be a helpful guide as Awaan’s law takes effect.

Energy Efficiency: Addressing Retrofit Failures and Skills Gaps

RICS submitted evidence to the Public Accounts Committee inquiry into faulty energy efficiency installations, highlighting systemic failings in schemes like ECO4 and GBIS. Ofgem audits revealed major technical non-compliance in over 90% of external wall insulation cases.

RICS called for:

• Regulated professional advice at the start of retrofit schemes
•  Strengthened installer competency and oversight
• Adoption of whole-building approaches
• Urgent confirmation of MEES reforms
• Investment in retrofit training and accreditation

RICS’ Residential Retrofit Standard, effective from October 2024, sets a benchmark for quality and consumer protection. A new AssocRICS pilot pathway is also being explored to expand the retrofit workforce.

Leasehold Reform: Enhancing Transparency and Standards

RICS submitted its response to the UK Government’s consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections, backing reforms aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and professional standards.

As a leading profession from block management, RICS advocates for:

• Greater Transparency: Standardised service charge forms and annual reports, including building safety and complaints information.
• Professional Standards: Mandatory qualifications (Level 4 or equivalent) for managing agents, ongoing CPD, and registration with Designated Professional Bodies like RICS.
• Conflict Disclosure: Clear reporting of relationships between landlords, agents, and insurers, with standardised insurance templates and disclosure timelines.
• Long-Term Planning: Mandatory reserve funds and professionally validated Asset Management Plans for all leases.
• Dispute Resolution: Enhanced ADR mechanisms and stronger enforcement powers, especially for absentee landlords and unregulated agents.

Clean Energy Jobs Plan: Professionalism in Delivery

RICS responded to the Government’s Clean Energy Jobs Plan, stressing the importance of professional standards in delivering green infrastructure. RICS highlighted the role of chartered surveyors in ensuring quality, safety, and long-term value in energy projects.
 Read more

Homes for London: RICS CEO Calls for Action

In response to the Mayor of London’s housing package, RICS CEO Justin Young has welcomed measures aimed at boosting housebuilding, including the removal of late-stage viability assessments and expanded mayoral powers to unlock stalled developments.

RICS recommends a more flexible affordable housing threshold, 20% linked to CIL relief, to encourage investment and delivery. The organisation also supports the £322 million Developer Investment Fund and calls for increased resources for the Building Safety Regulator to address regulatory delays and ensure safe, timely construction.

Building Connections: Shaping the Future of the Construction (Scotland)

Developed by BEFS, CIOB, HES, RIAS, and RICS, Building Connections brought together professionals, trades, academics, and policymakers to strengthen collaboration across the built environment sector. The sold-out event focused on addressing industry challenges around skills, training, and workforce pipeline development.

Through presentations, case studies, workshops, and panel discussions, participants explored ways to improve understanding between trades and professions. Discussions highlighted barriers such as funding constraints, complex systems, and fragmented efforts, alongside solutions like procurement reform, valuing transferable skills, and long-term, joined-up policy support.

Key outcomes included commitments to develop a national built environment competition and expand cross-industry CPD opportunities. The event demonstrated strong collective momentum toward a more connected, skilled, and sustainable construction industry in Scotland.