The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has expressed support for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)’s and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)'s joint consultation on reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPB) regime in England and Wales, stating that it ‘represents a critical step toward ensuring homes and buildings contribute meaningfully to the UK’s net-zero’. The proposed changes focus on modernising Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) methodologies, improving compliance mechanisms, and streamlining tools for improved accessibility and usability. RICS emphasises the importance of these reforms in supporting the Warm Homes Programme and addressing landlords' concerns about minimum energy efficiency standards in the rental sector.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has responded to the UK government’s consultation on reforms to the home buying and selling process in England and Wales. RICS supports the proposals and emphasises the need for mandatory, high-quality upfront information delivered by suitably qualified and regulated professionals. It advocates for the early provision of property searches and whole-home condition reports to reduce delays and transaction fall-throughs, and highlights that a minimum 24-month lead in period is required to allow the sector to build sufficient capacity. RICS calls for stronger regulation of estate and letting agents through mandatory qualifications and statutory oversight, supports greater digitalisation underpinned by clear data standards and professional governance, and endorses exploring earlier binding agreements provided these are contingent on reliable professional information. RICS confirmed its commitment to working with government and stakeholders to ensure the reforms are practical, proportionate and capable of delivering lasting improvements.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has responded to the UK government's proposed reforms to the home buying and selling process, supporting measures intended to make transactions faster, improve information available to buyers and reduce failed sales. The proposals include the introduction of sales packs containing key property information, including a property condition assessment, before a home is listed for sale, as well as measures to improve the quality of information in property listings and expand the use of digital tools, such as digital identity checks and electronic conveyancing, to streamline transactions. RICS says property condition assessments should be carried out by qualified and regulated surveyors to ensure information is accurate and reliable. It also welcomes plans for a new code of practice and possible mandatory qualifications for estate agents to improve professional standards across the sector. RICS says it will continue to work with government and industry on implementing the reforms and notes that investment in skills, capacity and support for smaller firms will be needed to deliver the changes effectively.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has published its response to the government's update on its plans to develop a generation of new towns. While welcoming the initiative as crucial for addressing long-term housing needs, RICS emphasises the need for a comprehensive strategy and holistic approach to new towns development.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has responded to the UK government’s call for evidence on the future regulation of professions, including proposals affecting the built environment and construction sector. The call follows the government’s announcement in December 2025 of proposed reforms, including the possible creation of a Single Construction Regulator.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has responded to the passing of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill which received Royal Assent on 24 May 2024 and is now the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (LFRA 2024). RICS welcomes LFRA 2024, confirming that it will provide clarity to leaseholders, landlords and the market, while highlighting that there are still some uncertainties and concerns.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has responded to political parties policies on business rates, high streets and regeneration. RICS indicated that the next ten years will be unprecedented for commercial real estate and the incoming government will need to collaborate with the industry to address industry challenges.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has reviewed the outcomes of its RICS in Europe Student Competition on Shaping Sustainable Futures. It brought together the two winning student teams and senior RICS representatives to examine how environmental, social and governance considerations, particularly energy performance, are reshaping residential property valuation. RICS noted that accelerating climate objectives and tightening regulation in France and the UK are making energy efficiency and regulatory compliance central to property value, investment risk and market liquidity. The first winning paper, based on Polish and wider EU legislation, found that energy-related factors, including energy performance certification and climate risk pathways, are the most influential drivers of residential valuation, while highlighting the challenges of upgrading older buildings. The second paper analysed 6.8 million housing transactions in England and Wales and found that energy efficiency is not consistently reflected in prices, with only the highest-rated properties achieving clear premiums and lower-rated homes facing larger discounts. RICS concluded that the competition highlighted the growing importance of sustainability expertise and confirmed that energy performance is now a core driver of residential property value.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has submitted recommendations to HM Treasury ahead of Budget 2025, calling for business rates reform, enhanced local authority powers, accelerated green investment targets and planning system improvements. RICS has also raised concerns about reported proposals for an 8% National Insurance charge on landlord rental profits, citing commissioned research suggesting 62% of landlords would raise rents in response and 40% would reduce property improvements.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has submitted its response to HM Treasury (HMT)’s 2025 Spending Review. Its response addresses key issues across the residential, planning, sustainability, and skills sectors and calls for reforms to enhance the built environment, streamline property transactions, and support the transition to net zero.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has supported the UK Parliament Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee’s recognition of the need to reform the home buying and selling process in England and Wales, supporting its emphasis on upfront information and improved professional standards. It highlighted that transaction failures impose significant financial and emotional costs on consumers and reduce government revenue. RICS supported the Committee’s view that upfront information should be prepared by qualified professionals to increase transparency, reduce delays and limit failed transactions. It also supported proposals for a Code of Practice and minimum qualifications for property agents, alongside a strengthened role for designated professional bodies. RICS confirmed ongoing engagement with government to support evidence‑based reforms that raise standards, protect consumers and improve housing market efficiency.

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has updated its frequently asked questions (FAQs) on Cladding External Wall Systems (EWS) to reflect how the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (LFRA 2024) affects the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA 2022). LFRA 2024, Part 8 contains amendments to BSA 2022, Part 5. These amendments affect the application of cost recovery and remediation orders and remediation contribution orders for defects. They also influence notifications by insolvency practitioners about ‘accountable persons’, and the recovery of legal fees through service charges. The amendments to the BSA 2022 came into effect on 24 July 2024.