The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has called for data centre developers to consider biodiversity, water use, ecosystem resilience and community wellbeing alongside carbon emissions throughout an asset’s life cycle. It notes that data centre construction and operation place pressure on natural resources, with environmental impacts extending through material supply chains. RICS recommends assessing local environmental and social conditions during site selection and design, including whether water supplies can sustainably support cooling systems. It also highlights the need for organisations to embed biodiversity considerations into business strategies and decisions, using relevant standards and reporting frameworks to help manage nature-related risks, restore ecosystems and support long-term operational resilience.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has commented on and analysed the general election manifestos of various political parties, including the Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Labour parties, focusing on their approaches to development, planning, and the natural environment.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has commented on and analysed the general election manifestos of various political parties, including the Conservative, Liberal Democrat, Labour, Green, and Reform parties.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has commented on the general election manifestos of various political parties, including the Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrats, Green and Reform UK parties, analysing their responses to infrastructure, construction and the skills shortage.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) expert working group has commented on the potential valuation implications of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (RRA 2025). It states that the abolition of section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions may limit the speed at which possession can be regained, although section 8 grounds for repossession remain available.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has launched a consultation on the proposed Valuation Performance Framework (VPF) together with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the American Society of Appraisers (ASA). The VPF sets out best practice for the work and documentation needed to support fair value measurements for financial reporting and aims to improve consistency, quality and transparency. It combines and expands the former Mandatory Performance Framework (MPF) and its accompanying application guidance, adding guidance on checking consistency across valuations and using artificial intelligence (AI) and other technology tools. The draft states that valuation professionals remain responsible for their conclusions when using these tools and should assess their reliability and document their use. The consultation closes on 15 December 2026.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has launched a consultation on proposed updates to its home survey standard. The consultation follows feedback from over 325 RICS professionals and 1,400 UK homeowners on the current first edition, which was implemented in 2021. Proposed changes include: (1) updated information on legislation and regulatory practices; (2) greater clarity on levels of surveying; (3) optional valuation for all levels of surveying; and (4) guidance for ‘additional risk’ dwellings, among other updates. After the consultation period, the updated standard will be reviewed and approved by the Knowledge and Practice Committee and the Standards and Regulation Board, with the second edition expected to be published in late Q1 2026. Separately, RICS is consulting on the potential development of a home survey regulation scheme, which would require members conducting home surveys in the UK to meet specific regulatory requirements.  Following the consultation, RICS will review responses and may conduct further detailed consultation on implementation. If approved, the scheme could be in place by the end of 2027. The consultations both close on 30 September 2025.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has launched a consultation on the draft 8th edition of Party Wall Legislation and Procedure, seeking views from surveyors, legal professionals, dispute resolution practitioners and other stakeholders in England and Wales. The draft provides best-practice support for RICS members who accept instructions where the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 may apply, with updated practice guidance intended to support competence and consistency, including enhanced appendices, revised letters of appointment and terms, an updated draft award, and strengthened guidance on regulatory and conduct matters. The draft guidance emphasises that a party wall surveyor’s appointment is personal and statutory, independent of client instruction, and highlights concerns arising from cases where awards have been challenged because surveyors acted without proper jurisdiction, including circumstances where no genuine dispute existed between the parties. The consultation closes on 5 June 2026.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has published an opinion piece regarding the need for sustainable practices in dilapidations, criticising current practices as ‘undeniably wasteful’ due to the amount of materials being thrown out and the carbon emissions involved in producing the replacement materials. RICS calls for a long term strategy to create a sustainable dilapidations cycle which avoids the production of this excess waste and carbon.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), in collaboration with the Electricity Networks Association and the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers, has endorsed a new voluntary Code of Practice, addressing land rights for electricity infrastructure. The Code sets out best practice aimed at balancing the rights and interests of licence holders who install and operate electricity infrastructure with those of landowners impacted by such developments. This initial version of the Code will be trialled over a 12-month period, after which it will be reviewed.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has announced that its first global professional standard for responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in surveying practice came into effect for all members and regulated firms on 9 March 2026. The standard sets out requirements across four areas: governance and risk management, professional judgement and oversight, transparency and client communication and the responsible development of AI. It provides a structured framework to support firms in managing their AI use, including maintaining risk registers, adopting responsible use policies and undertaking procurement due diligence. RICS has also published supporting materials, including sector-specific case studies covering construction, valuation, commercial property, residential property, land and natural resources, building surveying, as well as risk management templates and client information notes.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has issued a practice alert to its members, addressing concerns about expert witness services in housing disrepair cases. The alert warns against using pre-populated templates or standard cost schedules that do not reflect members’ independent professional opinion, engaging in conflicts of interest, misrepresenting qualifications or experience, and accepting contingency-based fee arrangements. In addition, it emphasises the importance of compliance with Awaab’s Law, effective from October 2025, and the Housing Health and Safety Rating System. The alert also includes a checklist setting out key professional responsibilities for members acting as expert witnesses.