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, guidance notes and information papers.
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Outdated guidance is archived, however you can still obtain a reference copy by contacting our library.
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Residential property
Code of practice 27 May 2016
This Code, now in its third edition, has been approved by the Secretary of State and is effective from 1 June 2016. It applies only to residential leasehold properties in England but practitioners operating in other parts of the UK are encouraged to follow the best practice guidelines contained in the Code.
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Dispute resolution
Guidance note 07 Jul 2016
The purpose of this guidance note is to provide residential surveyors and valuers with information to assist in handling complaints and direct them towards more detailed guidance from RICS.
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Property management
Information paper 12 Aug 2009
This paper addresses new developments where service charge apportionment strategy can be constructed simultaneously with the lease documentation.
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Residential property
Practice statement 04 Jan 2010
These practice notes give you all the practical guidance you need to deliver the HomeBuyer Report in Scotland.
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Residential property
Practice statement 02 Dec 2011
The RICS Condition Report should be used for a conventional house, flat or bungalow built from common building materials and in reasonable condition.
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Contracts
Guidance note 24 Apr 2012
Examines the general principles of retention, including areas such as law; reasons for introduction within a contract; levels of retention, and how amounts are deducted, certified or released.
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Residential property
Guidance note 28 Jan 2016
This guidance note sets out practical guidance around the health and safety management of most types and configurations of residential properties.
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Property management
Guidance note 26 Sep 2012
This guidance addresses the issue of managing mixed use buildings and estates, i.e. those with a mix of commercial and residential units; most specifically, long leasehold residential flats.
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Dispute resolution
Guidance note 03 Dec 2009
Offers guidance to those appointed as arbitrators or independent experts in order to determine a dispute on a lease renewal under PACT.
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Residential property
Guidance note 17 Dec 2015
Provides guidance for surveyors and other professionals likely to encounter cases of mundic in the south west of England. It outlines a rationale for the classification of samples to help lenders distinguish between those properties accepted as mortgageable and those that are not. It also details developments in the testing of concrete samples for evidence of mundic.
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Valuation
Guidance note 29 Jun 2012
Written specifically for use within the UK, this guidance assists valuers in the valuation of new-build properties.
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Valuation
Information paper 31 Jul 2015
This paper examines how sustainability is playing an increasingly important role in UK legislation and patterns of national economic behaviours and preferences.
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Conservation & restoration
Information paper 14 May 2014
Examines the principles of valuation as they apply to historic properties, providing an overview of the issues facing valuers appraising such assets.
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Valuation
Information paper 02 Sep 2014
This information paper aims to assist valuers in their approach to valuing residential blocks (both singularly and in portfolios) intended to be let at market rent for a defined minimum period. It is also hoped that it will assist users of valuations and those who commission them when agreeing instructions in respect of such properties.
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Residential property
International standard 26 Sep 2016
IPMS for Residential Buildings has been drafted by the Independent Standards Setting Committee and establishes a consistent methodology for measuring residential buildings around the world.
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Commercial property
Professional statement 17 Aug 2016
This professional statement applies to all RICS members involved with the sale, letting, leasing and management of real estate, whatever the form of tenure by which it is held or occupied.
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Estate agency
Professional statement 12 Oct 2016
This professional statement applies to the management of both commercial and residential real estate.
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Survey reports
Professional statement 19 Jun 2016
The RICS HomeBuyer Service can now be offered with or without a valuation. This professional statement accompanies the RICS HomeBuyer (Survey & Valuation) Service which includes a valuation.
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Survey reports
Professional statement 19 Jun 2016
The RICS HomeBuyer Service can now be offered with or without a valuation. This professional statement accompanies the RICS HomeBuyer (Survey) Service which does not include a valuation.
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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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Residential property
Practice statement 23 Jun 2016
These documents give you all the practical guidance you need to deliver the RICS HomeBuyer (Survey) and (Survey and Valuation Reports) 2016 in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man and the RICS HomeBuyer Report 2010 - Description and standard terms of engagement (Scotland).
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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
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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Residential property
Information paper 02 Sep 2015
By setting out a framework for objectively assessing and reporting the risk posed to a property by the presence of Japanese knotweed, this paper assists home-owners, purchasers and lenders in making informed decisions.