royal institute of chartered surveyors

Renters are having it tougher than homebuyers to get a home, with more than 20 people asking to view properties as soon as  they are advertised, and rents increasing by inflation-busting amounts. 
Finding the right property, or one that is good enough, is just the start.  
It probably takes more work than buying a home because you do not have a solicitor or broker to help you.   
It means to get ahead of the other potential tenants you need to make yourself attractive.  You need a reference from your current landlord and your employer and from anyone else who will speak up for you.   
If you have not rented before landlords will want certainty that the rent will be paid. Offering six months' or a year's rent in advance is such a guarantee.  
While most potential tenants do not have that sort of money to hand parents may be able to offer a loan from the Bank of Mum and Dad who the tenant can then pay back each month instead of the landlord.   Or maybe they can guarantee your rent.
Some employers and colleges have relationships with letting agents, which may help their workers or students to get an early viewing.  
Check with every colleague you have what their housing status is.   Ask them if their landlords have any vacancies.   A recommendation from a good tenant puts you at the front of the queue. 
Being first to hear of a property also makes a big difference.  Email alerts from letting agencies help, but you need to act quickly.  
Make it a full time job if you can.  Make sure your referees are ready to reply to requests instantly.   Have copies of your last three pay slips to hand .
Dress to impress landlords and agents.

Please send ideas questions, tips and warnings about rip-offs to Mrs Mean through the contact page on her website: mrsmeanmoneyshow.co.uk or to infomrsmean@gmail.com

The RICS Valuation - Global Standards, or Red Book, is a document issued as part of our commitment to promoting and supporting worldwide delivery of valuations to the highest standards.

As an evolving set of rules, best practice guidance, and related commentary for all members undertaking asset valuations, the focus on this episode of The RICS Podcast is on how RICS reacts quickly to economic & political instability, how valuations are increasingly factoring in ESG policies, and the Red Book’s handling of exceptions, approaches, and sub-methods.

This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:

• How to apply the Red Book as a framework rather than a methodology
• The impact of ESG policies, and how this will be reflected in market valuations
• A new approach to handling ‘exceptions’
• Key distinctions to clarify around valuation and worth

Today’s world drives a necessity to generate social value, be responsible towards environmental impacts, and remain transparent in the way they deliver their services. 

Highlighting that vital focus on ESG factors is a driving force behind a new piece of work from RICS: the Responsible Business Framework for Real Estate Management.

Joining us on The RICS Podcast to break down what this means practically for the sector is Victoria Hughes, Business Responsibility Director at VINCI Facilities. Together with host Paul Bagust, we hear how the framework promises to lead changes that truly drive social value.

This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:

• How to improve the social value from the real estate sector
• The shift towards representing ESG factors in tender scores
• Great examples of sustainability and the circular economy

As members of RICS, you’ll be well aware of the global challenges we face day-to-day, and the imperative importance of following professional standards in even the most testing of scenarios.

This week on The RICS Podcast we’re taking the opportunity to offer guidance for members, APC candidates and students for the year ahead, with reliable insights from RICS’ own Chrissie O’Rourke Steven Thompson.

With a newly redrafted set of Rules of Conduct from February 2022, we’ve moved towards a simpler structure, with clearer case studies and a future-focused emphasis on respect, diversity and inclusion. 

Join us as we talk through applying the Rules of Conduct in a number of scenarios, covering late tenders, defining small gifts & bribery, and what to do if you need to whistleblow.

This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:

• The importance of following ethical standards, even in sectors with with low numbers of complaints
• Where the application of the Rules of Conduct may need a tailored approach in public vs private sector scenarios
• Which records you should keep when deciding if you need to whistleblow or walk away from an ethical issue
• How diversity & inclusion plays into the professional approach to managing discrepancies