Do you know what your managing agent’s credentials are? Now there is a new qualification to look out for: ‘Associate RICS in Residential Property Management’. Anyone gaining this qualification will not only have at least four years experience as a managing agent but will also be subject to the same exacting ethical and professional standards as full corporate members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Georgiana Hubbard, Associate director Residential at the RICS explains why the new designation has been introduced. “With regards to the Associate RICS, it was felt that there were a lot of very good property managers out there, who because they were specialising in a small area of professional practice, were not in a position to gain full Chartered Surveyor status but still could meet the high standards expected of RICS membership in their specialist field. She adds: “RICS is all about raising standards and with the increase in the amount of leasehold property now under management, the RICS considers it important for landlords and leaseholder that good managing agents are recognised as such”.
For more information on RICS-qualified managing agents, go to www.rics.org