Ian Prince (1123477) and Principles Surveyors Ltd (710619), Disciplinary Panel Hearing, 08 May 2024

Decision of the Disciplinary Panel

Date of Decision: 08 May 2024

Case of: Ian Prince & Principle Surveyors limited (Firm)

RICS Membership Number: 1123477

Firm Membership Number: 710619

Location: London

The formal charge against Ian Prince and Principle Surveyors Limited is:

Member:

1. Between 1 May 2021 and 30 September 2023, in respect of one or more of the individuals / company listed in Schedule A, he:

a. Accepted instructions to produce a survey / report,

b. Accepted payment in advance,

c. Having failed to produce the survey / report within an adequate time period or at all, he failed to refund the advance payment within an adequate time period or at all,

d. His actions at (a)-(c) above were:

i. In breach of his professional obligations,

ii. Lacked integrity.

Contrary to Rule 3 of the Rules of Conduct for Members Version 7 and/or Rule 1 of the Rules of Conduct 2021

The Member is therefore liable to disciplinary action under RICS Bye-law 5.2.2(c)

Schedule A

2.

a. Mr Prince permitted Principles Surveyors Limited, which he controlled, to fail to comply with its professional obligations by not honouring an award made by the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution on 4 August 2022 to pay £1250 to Kate Thornalley.

b. His actions at (a) above were:

i. In breach of his professional obligations,

ii. Lacked integrity.

Contrary to Rule 1 of the Rules of Conduct 2021

The Member is therefore liable to disciplinary action under RICS Bye-law 5.2.2(c)

3. Between 1 January 2021 and 30 September 2023 Mr Prince failed to carry out his professional work with proper regard for the standards of service and customer care expected of him in that, in respect of the individuals / company set out in Schedule B:

a. He accepted instructions to produce a survey / report / valuation,

b. He failed to produce the survey/report/valuation at all or within the agreed upon timeframe.

Contrary to Rule 5 of the Rules of Conduct for Members Version 7, and/or Rule 3 of the Rules of Conduct 2021.

The Member is therefore liable to disciplinary action under RICS Bye-law 5.2.2(c)

Schedule B

Firm:

4. Between 1 January 2021 and 30 September 2023 Principles Surveyors Ltd failed to carry out its professional work with proper regard for the standards of service and customer care expected of it in that, in respect of the individuals / company set out in Schedule B:

a. It accepted instructions to produce a survey / report / valuation,

b. It failed to produce the survey/report/valuation at all or within the agreed upon timeframe.

Contrary to Rule 5 of the Rules of Conduct for Firms Version 7, and/or Rule 3 of the Rules of Conduct 2021.

The Firm is therefore liable to disciplinary action under RICS Bye-law 5.3.2(c)

5. Between 16 August 2021 and 30 September 2023 Principles Surveyors Limited, in respect of the individuals set out in Schedule C, it failed:

a. To provide a copy of its complaints policy,

b. To respond adequately or in a timely manner or at all to complaints.

Contrary to Rule 3 and / or 7 of the Rules of Conduct for Firms Version 7 and Rule 1 and / or 5 of the Rules of Conduct 2021.

The Firm is therefore liable to disciplinary action under RICS Bye-law 5.3.2(c)

Schedule C

6. Principles Surveyors Limited failed to comply with its professional obligations by not honouring an award made by the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution on 4 August 2022 to pay £1250 to Kate Thornalley.

Contrary to Rule 1 of the Rules of Conduct 2021

The Firm is therefore liable to disciplinary action under RICS Bye-law 5.3.2(c)

Finding: Charge 1 is proved, Charge 2 is proved, Charge 3 is proved except in the case of Mrs. Khaira, Charge 4 is proved except in the case of Mrs. Khaira, Charge 5, in the case of Ms. Hyde-Wyatt, Estaphanos, has found Charge 5b proved only, and all other charges are proved, Charge 6 is proved.

Sanction: Expulsion and Removal of Firm

The Disciplinary Panel also made an order to costs.