Professional guidance
Our standards and guidance cover all areas of surveying practice and embody best practice. They fall into the following categories: professional statements, practice statements, codes of practice, and guidance notes.
RICS standards and professional guidance are available free of charge to all and you can download PDF versions of the publications below. Check the side-bar options to refine the listed items by topic or professional group, or search for specific guidance using the search box above. Some RICS professional guidance publications can be bought from the RICS Shop.
Members should note that when an allegation of professional negligence is made against a surveyor, the court is likely to take into account the contents of any relevant professional guidance published by RICS in deciding whether or not the surveyor has acted with reasonable competence.
Outdated guidance is archived, however you can still obtain a reference copy by contacting our library.
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Building surveying
Guidance note 01 Jan 2008
A form to use with the RICS Scotland Standard form of consultant's appointment and RICS Scotland Short form of consultant's appointment.
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Building surveying
Guidance note 01 May 2008
A form to use with the RICS Standard form of consultant's appointment and RICS Short form of consultant's appointment.
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Project management
Guidance note 01 May 2008
A construction design and management (CDM) form to use with the RICS Scotland Standard form of consultant's appointment and RICS Scotland Short form of consultant's appointment.
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Project management
Guidance note 01 May 2008
A construction design and management (CDM) form to use with the RICS Standard form of consultant's appointment and RICS Short form of consultant's appointment.
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Right to light
Guidance note 18 Oct 2012
Focuses on the daylight, sunlight and shading encountered in the design, planning and environmental impact assessment of developments.
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Building surveying
Guidance note 17 Jun 2013
Provides professional practitioners with best practice guidance relevant to the tasks and processes of design and specification for small to medium-size construction projects.
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Building surveying
Information paper 01 Dec 1996
Provides surveyors with details of the formulation of an initial record of fire damage and investigation works involved, as well as ancillary matters which arise, such as the involvement of insurers and their representatives.
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Building surveying
Practice statement 07 Oct 2012
The RICS Building Survey is the most comprehensive report of its kind and should be used for larger or older properties, or when planning major works.
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Project management
Guidance note 12 Feb 2018
A form to be used with the RICS Scotland Standard form of consultant's appointment, and RICS Scotland Short form of consultant's appointment.
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Project management
Guidance note 12 Feb 2018
A form to be used with the RICS Standard form of consultant's appointment, and RICS Short form of consultant's appointment.
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Project management
Guidance note 01 May 2008
A form to be used with the RICS Short form of consultant's appointment.
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Quantity surveying & construction
Guidance note 12 Feb 2018
A form to be used with the RICS Scotland Standard form of consultant's appointment and RICS Scotland Short form of consultant's appointment.
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Quantity surveying & construction
Guidance note 12 Feb 2018
A form to be used with the RICS standard form of consultant's appointment and RICS Short form of consultant's appointment.
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Right to light
Guidance note 23 Mar 2016
Produced by a cross-professional group specialist panel of associate and chartered surveyors, this guidance deals with easements known as rights of light and outlines current best practice for surveyors in this field.
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Sustainability
Guidance note 02 Apr 2013
Outlines a road map for integrating sustainability into existing buildings and aims to assist building surveyors in explaining the appropriate options available to clients.
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Residential property
Guidance note 18 May 2016
Provides a clear, flexible framework for practitioners to develop their own services the public can trust, consistent with the quality standards expected from RICS members.
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Commercial property
Guidance note 01 Sep 2016
This guidance note seeks to advise members on the factors they should take into consideration when producing Schedules of Dilapidations, Quantified Demands, Responses, Scott Schedules and Diminution Valuations for reference to or use by the client, the other party to the lease, third parties and tribunals.
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Building surveying
Guidance note 15 Apr 2011
This note offers practical guidance for members in England and Wales who undertake the role of contract administrator.
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Dilapidations
Guidance note 13 Jan 2011
The material provides practical guidance to RICS members on the skills and approach required when instructed in connection with dilapidations matters in Scotland.
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Building surveying
Guidance note 17 Nov 2010
Written to apply to England and Wales, though with relevance elsewhere, this note provides guidance for surveyors on conducting commercial and industrial property surveys.
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Building surveying
Guidance note 14 Feb 2018
This publication is intended as a guide for surveyors who carry out reinstatement cost assessments of buildings. It takes effect from 1 June 2018.
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Building surveying
Guidance note 29 Sep 2011
This note offers guidance for members and other professionals involved with subsidence claims.
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Conservation & restoration
Guidance note 19 Sep 2009
Intended to embody best practice, this guidance note is essential reading for members practising or working on any traditionally constructed building or structure.