The proposed RICS Residential stock condition survey code of practice 1st edition, is a comprehensive guide outlining key concepts of a stock condition survey, legal and regulatory frameworks, how to prepare for a survey, useful information around post-survey tasks and on implementing changes for the next phase of stock condition surveys that will improve the process and likelihood of a successful outcome.
The code has been developed not just for RICS members and member firms but for housing associations, combined and local authorities, arms-length management organisations (ALMOs) and other organisations involved in stock condition surveys.
By having a consistent code that can be used across all housing, we are ensuring that the highest levels of professionalism and integrity can apply. While the geographic scope of this standard is England and Wales, many of the principles are globally applicable and may support RICS members outside these jurisdictions.
A public consultation is now open on the proposed code.
Have your say and respond to the consultation by 27 January 2025 by clicking the below link:
The Expert Group
Mairéad Carroll
Senior Specialist – Residential Property, RICS
Mairéad’s remit covers much of the residential sector, including agency and material information, property management including service charges, and leasehold and commonhold reform, along with social and affordable housing. She represents RICS on the steering committee of Home Buying and Selling Council and the Digital Property Marketing Steering Group among other roles. Mairéad is also leading the RICS work to develop a stock condition survey standard for social and affordable rented housing.
Dave Bracegirdle
Managing Director, MLCS3 Ltd.
Dave is the Managing Director of MLCS3 Ltd, a chartered surveying company that specialises in stock condition surveys in the social housing sector and the development of web-based asset and project management software. Graduating from Salford University in 1997, Dave cut his teeth at a multi-disciplinary building surveying practice in Manchester before becoming qualified in 2000. He founded MLCS3 12 years later and continues to remain as passionate as ever to improve quality and standards within the sector.
The Expert Group are appointed to help the Author and RICS to develop this code of practice. On the group is (in alphabetical order):
- Rupesh Bhatt (Peabody)
- Phil Bowley (Elim Housing Association)
- Alex Burton MRICS (Calford Seaden)
- Dean Butterworth (Sheffield County Council)
- Damian Cross FRICS (Greater Manchester Combined Authority)
- Haley Fairless (Places for People)
- Arturo Gulla (Berneslai Homes)
- Dominic Higgins (Rand Associates)
- Steve Hogben (Anchor)
- Simon Latson MRICS (JLL)
- Kirsty McGivney MRICS (Hastoe)
- Matt Meehan MRICS (Faithorn Farrell Timms)
- Martin Norgett (Colchester City Council)
- Jonathan Shaw MRICS (Harvey Donaldson & Gibson)
- Ian Taylor (Ridge)
- Dritan Uka (Southern Housing)
RICS would like to thank the following for their contributions to the code of practice:
- Annie Owens (National Housing Federation)
- Paul Price (Arch Housing / National Federation of ALMOs)
- Alison Freeman (Southend-on-Sea City Council / Councils with ALMOs Group)
- Jo Allchurch (Local Government Association)