RICS launches ‘Blue Book’
THE Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has launched its ‘Blue Book’ – a guide for estate agents to help raise standards and improve the consumer’s experience of buying and selling a home.
Meanwhile, Yorkshire law firm Chadwick Lawrence has reported a 20% increase in conveyancing during the last quarter, which it says could signify a period of recovery for the region’s troubled property market.
RICS’ Blue Book is also seen by the body as a valuable resource for all non-RICS people involved in residential property and who strive to achieve the highest level of professionalism and consumer service.
The guide includes:
– best practice standards,
– an agreed set of principles to help reach the highest levels of professionalism,
– advice for every stage of the buying and selling process, from marketing and sourcing clients through to completing the sale and beyond,
– quick-reference sections for all relevant legislative and regulatory documents.
Jim Spencer, of Spencer’s Surveyors in Sheffield and RICS residential spokesperson for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “I have studied the guidelines in the RICS Blue Book in some detail, and all estate agents should aspire to conduct their business with reference to these standards.
“This will lead to standards improving generally and hopefully it will be followed by the compulsory licensing of all estate agents at the earliest opportunity.”
Chadwick Lawrence’s increase in conveyancing comes as the Council of Mortgage Lenders announced that some 45,000 home loans were granted for house purchases in June.
Senior Partner Jeremy Garside said: “The increase in conveyance is an encouraging sign. It seems that the money pumped into the banking system by the Government is finally filtering down and the banks are lending again.
We have observed an increase in conveyancing over a three month period and we’re now confident that this is a clear trend.
We’ll be watching the next three month with interest to see whether this level is maintained.”
