The RICS Podcast

Rights of light can be an area of particular complexity when dealing with developments in a commercial or a residential dispute, requiring specialist knowledge and experience to tackle.Rounding out the run of episodes focusing on neighbourly matters, we hear from Dr Peter Defoe and Andrew Thompson about the several factors that contribute to rights of light issues, how to mitigate these issues before they arise, and advice on gaining experience within this exciting and evolving field.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:How developers can avoid rights of light issues at an early stageThe legacy behind measurement methodsAllowing for seasonal changes in lightEvolution within the rights of light practiceAdvice for young surveyors looking to obtain knowledge and experience in the area

In this episode of the Modus podcast Building the Future, we've brought together two rising stars based in San Francisco and New York to discuss the issues affecting their work in the built environment. Ali Sims AssocRICS and Julia Chesher MRICS discuss the varied career paths available to those in the built environment, the value to your clients of being chartered, and the important of a strong company culture. The podcast is hosted by Alexandra Faciu MRICS who sits on the RICS Americas regional board and specialises in portfolio and asset management. 

Boundaries can become a point of contention between even the most amicable of neighbours, proving to be a difficult subject both technically and holistically, and resolving these disputes can be incredibly rewarding.This week’s RICS Podcast guest Julia Stolle is an expert in the area of boundaries and evaluative mediation, sharing her experience as Co-chair of the Boundaries Expert Working Group. We hear from Julia about why boundary disputes commonly arise, a surveyor’s role in resolving them, and advice for surveyors and the public on how to handle issues surrounding boundaries.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:Issues and discrepancies that may lead to boundary disputesThe main duties of expert surveyors in this areaJulia’s experience with mediation and how to avoid itAdvice to young land surveyors looking to cover boundariesHow homeowners and tenants can quickly de-escalate a boundary dispute

Party walls are a complex area within which there are many urban myths, and the need for surveyors with knowledge, skills and experience in the area is paramount.In the first of three episodes of The RICS Podcast covering neighbourly matters, Andrew Thompson and Michael Cooper join host James Kavanagh to discuss the Party Wall etc Act, when it’s triggered, implications for surveyors & clients, and advice for surveyors wishing to learn more about party walls.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:The origins of the Party Wall etc Act 1996 and what’s coveredSituations in which the act is triggeredAdvice to members of public on both sides of the actDispute resolution processes for issues surrounding party wallsAdvice for surveyors looking to specialise in party wall disputes

The built environment, infrastructure, leadership, governance and investors will all invariably play a role in creating good urbanisation for the planet of cities we’re likely to see develop.Given the emerging importance of decarbonisation and social cohesion in cities, it’s a prime time for the return of The Planet of Cities, Professor Greg Clark’s column on the future of our cities and the people within them.In this week’s World Built Environment Forum podcast, Greg joins Kay Pitman to discuss the magic and DNA of cities, how their history and shared experiences inform their traits, and whether the future should bring us a ‘15 minute city’ or a ‘45 minute metropolis’.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:The planet of cities we’re likely to see with 10 billion people in 10 thousand citiesCities’ DNA and traits, and how they link into the principles of epigeneticsHow we ensure good urbanisation occurs as the population within cities growsThe 15 minute city vs the 45 minute metropolis

Real estate is a sector which drives much of our lives, and although most will appreciate the end product, they’ll do so without a clue what goes behind the built environment.Susan Freeman is a Partner at Mishcon de Reya, and as host of the Propertyshe Podcast has her finger on the pulse of the evolving real estate industry. We hear Susan’s insightful take on how we can share the stories that are often overlooked, the sustainability element driving decisions, and the role of PropTech in the sector’s future.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:The need for real estate to better articulate its roleHow PropTech is driving the sectorEvolving relationships between landlords and tenantsWhy we need to start building for the ageing populationSustainability’s role in driving decision-making

In being appointed as an arbitrator, there may be instances where you’re forced to consider any conflicts of interest, and with such a large grey area it’s vital to know the main principles and considerations in these situations.In The RICS Podcast this week, Philip Meade and Martin Burns share the insights from their experiences and how they’ve informed the latest edition of the Guidance Note on Conflicts of Interest for Dispute Resolvers.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:Deciding what constitutes a conflict of interestActions to take in grey area scenariosActual bias and perceived biasLinks and distinctions between independence and impartiality

Whilst chartered surveyors may have exceptional and varied skills in built environment matters, those who act as expert witnesses need to complement their knowledge by adding another “string to their bow”.Surveyors who take on instructions to act as expert witnesses in a tribunal must exhibit several key qualities, and prepare carefully for the case, as they aren’t immune from being sued if found to be negligent.In this week’s RICS Podcast, Martin Burns speaks to Jonathan Fothergill, who has recently completed the professional Expert Witness Certificate, and they discuss the essential preparation that expert witnesses should undertake to best serve the tribunal.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:What distinguishes an expert witness from a regular witnessWho can be an expert witness, and the qualities they need to possessPitfalls to avoid if stepping up as an expert witnessWhat’s expected of the role, and how to prepare

Whilst chartered surveyors may have exceptional and varied skills in built environment matters, those who act as expert witnesses need to complement their knowledge by adding another “string to their bow”.Surveyors who take on instructions to act as expert witnesses in a tribunal must exhibit several key qualities, and prepare carefully for the case, as they aren’t immune from being sued if found to be negligent.In this week’s RICS Podcast, Martin Burns speaks to Jonathan Fothergill, who has recently completed the professional Expert Witness Certificate, and they discuss the essential preparation that expert witnesses should undertake to best serve the tribunal.This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:What distinguishes an expert witness from a regular witnessWho can be an expert witness, and the qualities they need to possessPitfalls to avoid if stepping up as an expert witnessWhat’s expected of the role, and how to prepare

There have been significant challenges for Candidates over the last two and a half years, and keeping your network strong has never been so important. In this episode of The RICS Podcast, we cover the importance of networking for Candidates and newly qualified Members. We are joined by Matt Haynes (MRICS Member) and Andrew Outram (MRICS Member) who will give listeners insight into their experiences of networking during their Candidate journey.You can find more information on RICS Matrics here and join ongoing conversations by joining the RICS Matrics LinkedIn Group. To access the mentor lists and submission information, visit the RICS Assessments Hub.If you are based outside of the UK & Ireland or would like to view further candidate support material, visit our dedicated page here: Candidate support (rics.org).This episode of The RICS Podcast covers:Matt and Andrew’s involvement in RICS MatricsHow networking can form an integral part of the APC candidate journeyMaintaining peer to peer networks with limited face to face timeWays for candidates to build their own networks if local networking is limitedAdvice for those nervous about their first networking experience