rics modus, global edition - september 2013

The Tem

porary issu

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box clever How shipping containers are coming ashore p20 home work Can offices really convert to residential? p30 quick change The impact and promise of pop-up retail p34

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here To sTay? The fuTure of Temporary consTrucTion

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NOTHING LASTS FOREVERDoes a building have to be permanent? For centuries, permanence (or something

like it) has been an implicit promise of almost any new building. Without it, how

could we justify the expense of construction? But today, we make decisions in

a much more accurate and well-informed way, and as a result, the idea of the

temporary building – not to mention fl exible offi ce space and the pop-up retail

lease – is having its day. Need an Olympic basketball arena in a country where

the game is a fringe sport? Go temporary. Looking to end that long void on a

retail property? Consider pop-up tenants. Looking to build homes on a site that

you can only have for fi ve years? Why not try using shipping containers.

Maybe permanence isn’t everything it’s cracked up to be…

OLIVER PARSONS EDITOR

09.13 // MODUS 03

Regulars04_FEEDBACKYour views on Modus and the surveying profession

06_INTELLIGENCEGlobal news, plus opinions, reviews and reactions

25_LAW ADVICEAn update on the impending changes to fl ood risk insurance

39_BUSINESS ADVICEHow to enhance your mobile to improve your effi ciency

Features14_HERE TODAY...Debating the merits of temporary versus permanent in the world of construction and property 20_OUT OF THE BOXInnovative and creative uses for reclaimed shipping containers

28_MEMBER PROFILEGordon Lindsay MRICS on building standards at T in the Park festival

30_ARE YOU CONVERTED?Temporary changes to planning controls in the UK that could see more empty offi ces transformed into much-needed housing

34_DOWN-TURN, POP-UPHow short-term leases are providing revenue for landlords, enabling valuable exposure for new enterprises and helping to reinvigorate UK high streets

Information43_RICS NEWSNews, updates and a message from the RICS President

49_EVENTSUpcoming RICS training and conference dates for your diary

51_RECRUITMENTThe latest job opportunities from across the industry

58_THE MEASUREStatistics on serviced offi ce provision around the world

Contents

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MODUS_Sept13_P3-5_Con&Letters.v2.indd 3 12/08/2013 16:16

JOIN THE DEBATE

:EMAIL YOUR FEEDBACK TO [email protected]

Views expressed in Modus are those of the named author and are not necessarily those of RICS or the publisher. The contents of this magazine are fully protected by copyright and may not be reproduced in any form without the prior permission of the publisher. All information correct at time of going to press. All rights reserved. The publisher cannot accept liability for errors or omissions. RICS does not accept responsibility for loss, injury or damage or costs that result from, or are connected in any way to, the use of products or services advertised. All editions of Modus are printed on paper sourced from sustainable, properly managed forests. This magazine can be recycled for use in newspapers and packaging. Please dispose of it at your local collection point. The polywrap is made from biodegradable material and can be recycled.

Due to the volume of correspondence we receive, we regret that we are unable to print all letters or respond to every one individually.

of residential valuers – but of course there is. Many local fi rms, including mine, that used to undertake a high volume of mortgage valuations have ditched this work and made up for it in other areas. We’re subjected to suicidal level of fees from private clients, lenders and panel managers, with service level turnaround times that, quite honestly, are unnecessary.

I cannot think of any other profession that would accept the fee level, liability and service level agreements we work to without decent back-up and support from their professional body. Come on RICS!A cheesed-off valuer

RICS is a global organisation, and Modus is a global magazine, accessed by more than 120,000 members and external readers all over the world. Occasionally, we focus on one market to highlight the opportunities for members wherever they’re based, and examine how the strengths and weaknesses of that market may impact on the rest of the world. As more and more governments and markets seek to adopt the highest professional standards, there is a growing demand for RICS members’ services throughout the world. But it’s not just increased opportunities in other markets that UK-based RICS members are benefi ting from. The growth in recognition of RICS across international markets is boosting the profi le of members in the UK – and we believe that sharing insights from these other markets can only strengthen the position of UK members and fi rms. What’s more, the growth in international trade also helps the UK economy as a whole, including the land, property and construction sector.

On valuation and professional indemnity insurance, RICS has established an independent commission to explore valuation, lending and insurance. Members are encouraged to submit evidence to the commission via rics.org/valuationinquiry by 30 September.Mark Goodwin, RICS Director of External Aff airs

TAKE NOTEOmbudsman Services thanks Roddy Morrison for his letter (July/August issue, page 5).

It’s accepted that a surveyor can only report on what’s visible. Where the reason for not reporting a defect is because it could not be seen, this has to be adequately supported. Whether we as ombudsmen, or a barrister advising on a defence strategy, investigate the complaint, the site notes will strongly infl uence the outcome. Site notes provide the defi nitive record of the surveyor’s inspection, and relying on estate agents’ particulars as a means of demonstrating an obstruction is not conclusive proof of what the surveyor saw. Quality site notes are, therefore, not only a requirement of the profession but key to any complaints investigation.

The ombudsman only accepts complaints after the company has had an opportunity to resolve. Not all complaints are accepted and not all complaints receive an award. An award is made because the information supports a conclusion that the defect existed when the surveyor inspected and no persuasive argument is made to explain why the surveyor did not report as required.

Increasingly, organisations are being judged by the quality of complaints handling, and membership of an ombudsman scheme can help to enhance reputation. Ombudsman Services: Property (OS:P) meets regularly with the industry’s professional indemnity insurers, and what we do is widely supported. Our processes are open and transparent, and a fi nal decision is only made after both parties have had an opportunity to submit representations. The team is highly skilled in

complaints investigation, and is supported by a qualified ombudsman, who is also a chartered surveyor. Part of an ombudsman’s role is to help companies avoid complaints, and an open invitation exists to the profession to visit our offi ces in Warrington to discuss this and see how we operate.

It’s regrettable that Roddy Morrison is unhappy, but we explained the reasoning behind the decision on several occasions. An award is only made where the information presented supports a conclusion that the surveyor did not report a defect that existed at the date of inspection (or the reason for not reporting is adequately supported).John Baguley MRICS and Lewis Shand Smith, Ombudsman Services

TOMORROW THE WORLDEditor, I take this opportunity to thank you and RICS for the excellent combination of Modus, Surveyor and the Property Journal, which together substitute for the sadly missed Chartered Surveyor magazine. Modus contains current news, useful articles and job vacancies, however, in the July/August issue, 16 of the total 60 pages are devoted to China, which is of no interest to me whatsoever. Does RICS honestly believe they are a force in foreign parts? I don’t think so. Articles on countries miles away don’t help me with the current local problems that my fellow residential surveyors and I are facing at home as we fi ght for work in very diffi cult times. Lenders are now complaining of a shortage

@Eowenpowell Is BRICS a level of membership above or below AssocRICS?

@kathf48 Good piece in @modusmag this month on the long term value of #BIM, by Allan Hunt from @Aedas

@Daz_Midgley @goreportmedia’s Greame Roberts in latest @modusmag setting the record straight. I used this app in 2012 without any problems. #wayforward

@RICSnews // @modusmag

Lenders are now complaining of a shortage

news // @modusmag

Feedback //

The MODUS team //FOR SUNDAYEditor Oliver Parsons // Art Director Christie Ferdinando

// Contributing Editor Brendon Hooper // Deputy Editor

Samantha Whitaker // Junior Designer Isabella Fernandes

// Creative Director Matt Beaven // Account Director

Stephanie Hill // Commercial Director Karen Jenner //

Commercial Manager – Display Lucie Inns // Key Account

and Agency Sales Victoria Cunningham // Commercial

Manager – Recruitment Charlotte Turner // Recruitment

Sales Executive Angus Sharpe // Managing Director Toby

Smeeton // Repro F1 Colour // Printers Woodford Litho //

Cover Tang Yau Hoong // Published by Sunday, 207 Union

Street, London SE1 0LN sundaypublishing.com

FOR RICSEditorial board Jaclyn Dunstan and Mark Goodwin

RICS, Parliament Square, London SW1P 3AD

89,820 average net circulation 1 July 2012 – 30 June 2013

Homes is a must attend event if you are involved in the asset management of housing as a registered provider, local authority, ALMO, or private landlord.

Register FREE to attend and join thousands of senior housing professionals for two intense days of networking, learning and sharing of best practices.

VISIT HOMES TO GAIN:

– New skills and practical advice from four FREE educational seminar streams

– Valuable industry contacts

– Innovative products and services from 150+ suppliers

– An enhanced understanding of the latest sector issues NICHOLAS DOYLEProject Director,Places for People

We have always had sustainability at the heart of our activities and recognise its positive potential for the organisation and our customers. Homes was an event that really succeeded in bringing sustainability into the mainstream and brought to life some of the issues including maximising customers income and delivering strategic asset management.

In partnership with Supported byOrganised by Sponsored by

The future of housing20/21 NOVEMBER 2013 ExCeL LONDON

WWW.HOMESEVENT.CO.UKFor more information visit


Homes is a must attend event if you are involved in the asset management of housing as a registered provider, local authority, ALMO, or private landlord.

Register FREE to attend and join thousands of senior housing professionals for two intense days of networking, learning and sharing of best practices.

VISIT HOMES TO GAIN:

– New skills and practical advice from four FREE educational seminar streams

– Valuable industry contacts

– Innovative products and services from 150+ suppliers

– An enhanced understanding of the latest sector issues NICHOLAS DOYLEProject Director,Places for People

We have always had sustainability at the heart of our activities and recognise its positive potential for the organisation and our customers. Homes was an event that really succeeded in bringing sustainability into the mainstream and brought to life some of the issues including maximising customers income and delivering strategic asset management.

In partnership with Supported byOrganised by Sponsored by

The future of housing20/21 NOVEMBER 2013 ExCeL LONDON

WWW.HOMESEVENT.CO.UKFor more information visit


08 r ics.org

Intelligence :news :reviews :opinions :reactions

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01.11 // MODUS 09

This innovative cardboard cathedral will soon enter service as a temporary yet 100% earthquake code- compliant substitute for the nearby Anglican cathedral, which was damaged in the crippling 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Estimated to cost NZ$5.3m (£2.7m), the transitional facility is made from 320 6m-long cardboard tubes on concrete foundations and floor slab, with a polycarbonate roof. Filled with laminated veneer lumber, with additional waterproofing from a polyurethane coating, the tubes are an ideal building material, given how readily available, recyclable and surprisingly strong cardboard is. Led by contractor Naylor Love, construction on the project commenced in July 2012 after more than a year’s planning with the renowned Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, who has been designing temporary emergency structures since the mid-1980s. ‘The strength of the building has nothing to do with the strength of the material,’ says Ban. ‘Even concrete buildings can be destroyed by earthquakes very easily – but paper buildings cannot.’ Built with a life expectancy of 50 years, the cardboard cathedral will ultimately serve as an inner-city church for the large congregation of St John’s when a permanent replacement for the cathedral is finished in around 10 years’ time.cardboardcathedral.org.nz

:TransiTional CaThedral ChriSTChurCh, NEw ZEALANd

MODUS_Sept13_P6-7_News opener.indd 7 12/08/2013 14:42

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Intelligence //

Knight Frank is gearing up to enhance its global graduate recruitment scheme. From September this year, the fi rm will be looking to recruit more graduates from around the world – particularly those with RICS-accredited degrees, as it is an overall objective to bring

more RICS-accredited degree holders into global graduate programmes. ‘We’re targeting our marketing at all RICS-accredited degree courses in our global offi ce locations and will be setting up Assessment of Professional Competence training programmes in some

locations where we’ve not had them previously,’ said Sally Chacatté, partner and group head of HR at Knight Frank. The fi rm will also boost its Broadening Horizons scheme, which supports people wishing to gain work experience in other locations in the Knight

Frank Group. One part of the Broadening Horizons scheme enables a hand-picked group of young talent to take up international secondments in locations such as Shanghai, Singapore, Dubai and Australia. For more information, visit knightfrank.com/recruitment.

Property KNIGHT FRANK GRADUATE SCHEME GOES GLOBAL

Opinion

INFRASTRUCTURE: KEY TO RESILIENCE AGAINST DISASTER

In February, I visited the Solomon Islands for the World Bank to look at integrating disaster management into their rural infrastructure programme. The Solomon

Islands currently rank sixth in the World Risk Index, and over the past 30 years have witnessed six major natural disasters (fl ood, earthquake, tsunami and volcanic hazards), resulting in loss of life, risk of disease outbreaks and severe adverse economic impacts.

By coincidence, while I was there, a tsunami hit that killed 10, destroyed 600 houses and displaced thousands. Following local press coverage of the events that followed, it became apparent that comprehensive infrastructure improvements were needed to enable families responding to future disasters to escape safely, and have access to clean water, medical services and means of cooking.

Although emergency provision of shelter and hygiene kits from governments and donors can help reactively, basic infrastructure improvements help communities become more resilient to climate change events. Typical improvements include: upgrading rural water supply systems, and sanitation for schools and clinics, to ensure there is at least one protected toilet and community storage tank above fl ood level that can meet immediate needs; fi tting or retrofi tting disaster-resilient community buildings to serve as refuges by raising fl oors above fl ood levels and improving hurricane restraints; ensuring access so that escape is possible and emergency services can easily reach communities; and installing basic flood protection measures such as sand bags, and more robust technology at critical locations, such as gabions.

There are also various other low- or no-cost resilience actions that communities can take to improve their ability to respond rapidly and recover quickly following a major disaster, therefore reducing fatalities. These include the promotion of fl ood-tolerant crop varieties, incorporation of effective drainage, avoiding construction on steep and unstable slopes, and control of solid waste, which is often a major cause of drain blockages.

It’s important that these interventions are designed to be socially and environmentally appropriate to meet a wide range of community needs. A fundamental component of this process is to understand the various grades of risk, such as fl ood return periods and safety levels for different infrastructure types. Also, to ensure future-proofi ng of rural infrastructure and mitigation of climatic and geological hazards, communities should be provided with basic capacity building, and training in climate change adaptations and disaster-risk resilience. As an absolute minimum, this should include the development of community disaster preparedness, evacuation and recovery plans – all of which will rely on there being basic infrastructure in place.

John Tracey-White FRICS RICS International Sustainable Development Advisor

ROAD TO RECOVERYTougher, more resilient basic infrastructure will lessen the reliance of vulnerable communities on outside aid following a natural disaster

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01.11 // MODUS 09

PropertyNEW £100m GREEN RETROFIT FUND The Building Research Establishment and Sustainable Development Capital have launched a scheme to provide capital investment for UK non-domestic energy-effi ciency retrofi t projects. The Green Retrofi t Investment Programme will make up to £100m available for projects of £2m or more where clear energy and carbon emissions savings will result. The fund covers up to 100% of the project cost, while the return on investment comes from a proportion of the savings in energy bills. For more information, email [email protected].

:ONE BIG QUESTION CONSTRUCTION 2025: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU AND THE SURVEYING PROFESSION?

Take part in discussions by joining the RICS group at linkedin.com.

London A simple thing would be to realise the potential of the industry data that we have. That’s what we’re doing at Turner & Townsend, and it’s been very successful. Surveyors should be the ‘go to’ professionals for all evidence-based data to enable improved performance.

David Crewe MRICS, Turner & Townsend

Chicago I believe that signifi cant initial and life-cycle cost effi ciencies will be achieved through more off -site and modular construction over the next decade, which will also save time, reduce costs, increase safety and maximise the power of Building Information Modelling.

London Hopefully by 2025, BIM will have really taken off and we’ll have true 4D and 5D BIM. Improving the fl ow and quality of information will benefi t facilities management and improve the accuracy of estimates to help deliver projects on time and, importantly, on budget.

Lukasz Rarowski (student member), Idess Retail

Cassandra Francis FRICS, Kariatid

Intelligence //

09.13 // MODUS 09

CommercialUK LEADS ONLINE RETAIL MARKETThe UK is the world’s most developed online retail market, according to Cushman & Wakefi eld’s inaugural Global Perspective on Retail report. The report examined online retailing in more than 100 countries focusing on 13 indicators, and placed the UK just ahead of the US due to its high volume of online sales per capita, large online market share and openness to new online business and social media. However, the US is still the largest online retail market, representing almost a third of global sales. The report also notes that the rise of mobile commerce could shift the balance of future retail power in favour of emerging markets where mobile penetration is higher. Download the report at bit.ly/CW_Retail.

SOCIAL DIVIDE: CENTRAL LONDON PRIME RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TENURE

Source: London Central Portfolio (LCP)

Buy-to-live 37%

Social housing 25%

Private rented 38%

ConstructionDUBAI’S LATEST SUPERLATIVEThe world’s tallest twisting tower has been unveiled in Dubai. Developed by Saudi Arabia-based Cayan Investment & Development, the 306m-high Cayan Tower (formerly the Infi nity Tower) features an astonishing 90-degree shift of its fl oorplates between the base and top, designed by architects Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM). To achieve the twist, and create the shape of a helix, each fl oor of the reinforced concrete tower is rotated by 1.2 degrees to achieve the full 90-degree spiral. The project initially began in 2006, but was put on hold due to technical problems and the impact of the 2008 economic downturn. More than 80% of the tower’s 490 residential units have already been sold.

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App of the month

RLB GLOBAL CONSTRUCTION MARKET INTELLIGENCEIt is: A free app that gives an indication of the costs of a proposed development, and rapid insights into local market price movements.Who’s it aimed at?: Available on smartphone and tablet devices, users can access indicative construction costs for a wide range of building types in global locations.

Search ‘RLB app’ on your device’s app store.

CommercialSECTOR SEES SHARP EXPANSION Commercial activity in the UK has been growing at the fastest rate in six years, according to Savills’ Total Commercial Development Activity index. Rising from +5.8% in May to +18.9% in June, the expansion was generally linked to improved weather conditions, new contract wins and easier access to borrowing funds. ‘Confi dence has now been positive for nine consecutive months, and we expect this trend to be sustained,’ said Michael Pillow, director of building consultancy at Savills. Senior property industry fi gures are also noting that property market conditions are improving across the UK. With strong interest from overseas investors, London’s property market has remained strong throughout the fi nancial crisis, but for markets elsewhere that have struggled amid a credit shortage, the situation seems to be improving.

The strong appeal of investing in emerging equity markets is pretty well established, with the sector

delivering signifi cant outperformance over developed markets through the course of most of the last decade. However, more recently there have been some signs that this trend is not just running out of steam, but could actually be going into reverse.

In the fi rst six and a half months of this year, while the MSCI World Index has risen by around 16%, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index has actually declined by 5%. Moreover, this divergence in performance is just as marked in the area of property equity, with the MSCI World Real Estate Index climbing 7% over the same period as against a drop in the MSCI Emerging Real Estate Index of some 9%.

For the time being, the results we are receiving from members who contribute to the RICS Global Commercial Property Survey suggest that the appeal of physical real estate in much of the developing world is still proving rather more resilient. Even so, it’s noteworthy that over the past few quarters, there has been a shift in the RICS data rankings that’s consistent with the general feeling that some developed property markets are regaining popularity among investors at the expense of a number of emerging markets.

It’s also interesting that all of this has coincided with a small but perceptible change in macro fundamentals. Most emerging economies are still on course to comfortably beat the developed world when it comes to growth over the next couple of years, but the gap between the two blocs is clearly narrowing – the differential is now around 1% less than a month ago.

Ultimately, this may prove to be little more than a temporary pause within the longer-term secular trend favouring the emerging world, but even if that turns out to be the case, my suspicion is that it will be hard to replicate the returns this area generated during the ‘noughties’.

In the immediate future, it’s not simply country-specific issues that will hit emerging market performance – although China’s need to grapple with excessively rapid credit growth, and Brazil and India’s battles against infl ation, will inevitably take their toll. However, a more fundamental contrast with the last decade will be the benefi t reaped by emerging economies from the decline in real interest rates in the US during that time. This effectively contributed not just to lower fi nancing costs, but also easier fi nancial conditions in virtually all parts of the globe.

We are now moving into a new era. While the US Treasury market may have jumped the gun on the Federal Reserve calling time on the quantitative easing programme – following chairman Ben Bernanke’s talk of ‘tapering’ – the direction of travel over the next few years is clear. The process of ‘normalising’ monetary policy will start at some point, and that, if nothing else, will make it just that bit tougher for the emerging world to maintain its stellar growth.

Simon Rubinsohn, RICS Chief Economist

Intelligence //

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Column

TABLES TURN FOR EMERGING MARKETS


01.11 // MODUS 09

This 31st edition of the price book contains a major works and a minor works volume, and is still the best pricing information available.rics.org/shop: 19652£165.99

This new edition is essential for anyone advising landlords or tenants on the costs of complying with Schedules of Dilapidations.rics.org/shop: 19682£202

This book describes the important lessons that architects and city planners can learn from temporary users. ISBN: 978-3869222615 RRP £32

Through a range of case studies, this book explores the growing interest in temporary and pop-up uses for land and buildings.ISBN: 978-0415670562 RRP £30.99

We like

AUDI CITYWhat is it? An audacious ‘virtual showroom’ in London’s Mayfair developed by the automotive retailer Sytner. It’s a new kind of retail space that blends the experience of the high street with the virtual world. Is there space for a test drive?A typical car showroom needs 2,800-3,800m2, so the project team has used the latest virtual technologies to help customers get a full brand experience in just 650m2, with two fl oors containing 420m2 of digital interactive screens that allow customers to create their own personalised Audi from 3.5m possible design combinations. ‘The showroom has been a great success, and is at the cutting edge of current retail thinking,’ said Chris Burke, director at Turner & Townsend, which provided cost, project and construction design management coordination services to install the concept.

09.13 // MODUS 11

ConstructionGOOD START FOR RLB IN SOUTH AFRICARider Levett Bucknall (RLB) will work with South African fi rm Pentad Quantity Surveyors on a major new offi ce for energy fi rm Sasol in Johannesburg, after only entering the market in April. RLB signed an alliance agreement with Pentad, and the fi rms have teamed up on cost consultancy bids, leading to the Sasol project win. ‘We know the South African market is tough, but it’s thriving – as this project bears testament to,’ said Lance Taylor FRICS, chief executive of RLB UK. The 10-storey offi ce will bring together various Sasol business units that are currently separate.

Industrial3D PRINTING TO KICK-START PROPERTY MARKET3D printing will transform certain parts of the manufacturing industry, increasing opportunities for real estate developers and investors, says a report by Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL). The report, The evolution of manufacturing, notes that, although it’s still developing, 3D printing has the long-term potential to radically change how and where manufacturing takes place, the types of facilities required, and the make-up of the workforce. ‘Instead of large factories, it will create demand for more smaller buildings, which companies would be more likely to lease than own. This will open up opportunities for developers and investors,’ said Jon Sleeman, director of EMEA Logistics & Industrial Research at JLL.

LandTEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION WARNINGLandowners are being reminded of their legal obligations to have safety checks on gas installations in ‘at risk’ temporary accommodation on farms, warns Strutt & Parker (S&P). The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 apply to any property occupied for residential purposes, and landowners should ensure gas safety checks are carried out on premises within agricultural tenancies, including farmhouses, cottages, mobile homes and caravans. ‘Even if a property is let on a full repairing and insuring lease, the landlord cannot transfer this responsibility and remains liable for the safety of gas appliances,’ said Russell de Beer MRICS, partner in land management at S&P.

BOOKS

RedEye’s industrial 3D

printing factory


08 r ics.org

Private takeoverFor the fi rst time in generations, more people live in the UK’s private rented sector than in social housing, according to the latest English Housing Survey. There are now around 3.84m private rented households compared to 3.81m social rented households. View the survey at bit.ly/ehs_2012.

Greening BrazilTo help drive greater sustainability in Brazil’s construction industry, the Building Research Establishment (BRE) has partnered with the Brazilian National Service of Industrial Learning (SENAI). BRE will also create a bespoke version of BREEAM for SENAI to use on its £1bn scheme to construct innovation institutes across Brazil.

Go eastOccupier demand for logistics and industrial facilities is growing in Central and Eastern European countries, according to an Industrial Occupiers Conditions analysis by Jones Lang LaSalle. The review notes that with plenty of stock available and positive economic outlooks, lease terms will be favourable. View the report at bit.ly/JLL_Occupier.

Estate revampConsultancy Gleeds has been appointed to help deliver the controversial £70m transformation of 300 of the Post Offi ce’s ‘Crown’ branches across the UK. The aim is to improve the customer experience and also the profi tability of the entire Crown network. Works are expected to complete by October next year.

Opinion

RURAL PLANNING RULES ARE DESTROYING COMMUNITIES. IT’S TIME FOR A NEW APPROACHGraham Warren FRICS Graham Warren Ltd

According to current UK planning policy, any settlement that’s off the public transport network or lacks local

services, such as a GP or school, is deemed ‘unsustainable’. This means that much-needed housing development is focused on a relatively small number of ‘sustainable’ locations, while the rest of the countryside goes further into self-fulfi lled decline for want of the investment and thriving population that could attract transport links and services. What’s more, limited supply of new housing in these locations also pushes up property prices.

The result of this naive approach is that it’s often only those who work in towns who can afford to live in the countryside, while rural workers are priced out of the countryside and into the towns. Ironically, these two groups spend a great deal of time rather unsustainably passing each other on the road network as they travel to and from work every day. And with many young people and those with family connections forced to move out, some villages are reduced to dormitories for the better off, resulting in a further decline in services.

While the great and the good, such as the Campaign to Protect Rural England and the National Trust, predictably grind their axes against development, another group of people – including those living in the countryside with parents and in need of a house of their own – are disenfranchised from a system so set in its ways that it’s counter-productive in its wider ambition to balance society’s needs with environmental protection.

With the existing controls on development, the destruction of the rural idyll that some see as a kind of impending Armageddon is illusory. But with a proportionate level of new development, the countryside could become richer, resulting in diversity and securing a settlement’s facilities for the benefi t of the communities living there. It’s time that the planning establishment recognised this and produced plans on the basis of properly researched evidence.

GRAHAM WARREN is the owner of planning and environmental consultants Graham Warren Ltd. grahamwarren.co.uk

LATEST NEWS

One thing I know...

BE HONEST WITH YOURSELFSteve McGuckin MRICS UK managing director, Turner & Townsend‘Delivering an unpalatable truth to your team may be hard, but accepting one about yourself is harder. My mantra has always been: recognise reality, accept it and then act on it. When I do, the outcome is positive. When I don’t, I wish I had.’

What’s your business tip? Email [email protected]

12 r ics.org

SKILLS GAP: PROJECTED SHORTFALLS IN THE UK’S WORKFORCE BY 2050

Source: Randstad CPE

Teachers128,000

Construction66,800

Nurses61,200

Qualifi ed engineers

36,800IT & tech 33,300


01.11 // MODUS 09

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Words by Roxane McMeeken Illustration by Tang Yau Hoong

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From school cabins to olympic venues, temporary buildings are increasingly appearing – and then disappearing – worldwide. but what is the eFFect oF this trend on our built environment?

For large-scale sporting events, temporary or modular venues that can be partially or completely removed after use are becoming increasingly popular

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Temporary trend //

‘Temporary’ has become something of a buzzword in construction and property. Transient structures present new and interesting ways to plan, cost, construct

and use buildings – but what is their advantage over permanent bricks and mortar? The most familiar forms of temporary buildings stay for only a few weeks or months, and are then removed when no longer needed. These are ideal for one-off events, or to house staff or stock while an old facility is demolished and a new one is built. They also allow a client to test a location to assess how successful a permanent outlet would be.

However, temporary is now taking on new forms. A key development is the demountable building, which is currently being used in Qatar as the country prepares to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. ‘Qatar doesn’t need all the venues it’s building for the World Cup, so some elements will be dismantled after the event and shipped to emerging countries, where they will leave lasting legacies,’ explains Barry Winterton MRICS, projects director at Franklin + Andrews. ‘These buildings are quite different to standard temporary buildings that are removed and never used again, or moved continuously from location to location,’ he adds. Similarly, the Rio >>


2016 Olympics handball arena will be transformed into four municipal schools after the Games, according to Aecom, which is masterplanning the venues. There are also buildings, such as the London 2012 Aquatics Centre and Olympic Stadium, that are designed from the very beginning to be adaptable, and feature extra temporary elements that are later removed to reveal the permanent core structure.

Winterton says that, in many cases, temporary forms are used to save money. ‘Temporary tends to mean cheaper, because you are either hiring the facility rather than buying it, using prefabricated modules that are quick to assemble, or building with materials that have a shorter lifespan,’ he explains. ‘Demountable solutions can be similar in cost to permanent buildings – you may still need to build foundations, for example – but you get the benefits of using it in two different locations.’ These might include selling the building to the second owner or splitting the upfront costs, for example.

Meanwhile, in the UK’s school building programme, the need to reduce costs suggests that widespread adoption of temporary cabins is on the way. ‘The government has said that 256,000 new school places are needed by September 2014,’ says Marcus Fagent, head of education at EC Harris, ‘but the money available to fund each place falls below our estimate of what it costs to provide a standard place – between £15,000 and £20,000.’ When you factor in council budget cuts and complex demographics – which make it difficult for authorities to predict how many school places they will need beyond the next 10 years – Fagent says that everything points to shorter-term solutions. He expects to see temporary buildings used extensively in the schools sector because they are cheaper, but also because they can be removed in 10 or 20 years if the number of pupils falls. ‘We’ve found that the most efficient approach is a block of at least two classrooms,’ he says. EC Harris’ two-classroom block costs about £250,000 for 60 pupils – leading to a cost per place of just £4,000.

A killer benefit of many temporary buildings is that planning authorities are likely to look on them more leniently – which in itself can save costs, says Keith Hearn, senior director in CBRE’s planning team. ‘Local authorities tend to be more flexible if the proposed property is temporary – for example, one would not expect the same level of sustainability investment to be required for a building that’s only there for a few months,’ he says. Fagent has found this to be the case with temporary school buildings, too: ‘It differs between authorities, but planners do tend to turn a blind eye to BREEAM sustainability standards when a building is not permanent – although a temporary building can actually be very environmentally friendly.’

What’s more, if the building changes the use of the land, or if it presents access and circulation problems, the authorities may well overlook these issues for a short fixed term. In fact, a temporary structure can actually help persuade planning authorities and the public to agree to it becoming permanent, as seeing it in situ gives them a chance to get used to it. Perhaps the best example of this is the Eiffel Tower, which was intended to last for 20 years, but still remains 124 years after it was constructed. Interestingly, although today the tower serves as a major tourist attraction, it was actually its use as an antenna for radio transmissions that saved it from demolition.

The London Eye is another example of a short-term structure that’s gained a permanent position. ‘The Eye was incredibly controversial – particularly because it would appear in protected views – but now nearly everyone sees it as something that enhances London,’ says Hearn. He adds that introducing a structure as a temporary project can help to tackle society’s general resistance to change, and allay fears about the impact of development. But would he go so far as to recommend a client propose a building for a fixed term while actually intending a permanent building? Not exactly: ‘But if permanent planning permission wasn’t granted and the proposal still stacked up financially as a temporary venue, then I would recommend it,’ he says.

Turning a truly temporary building into a permanent one may also require adaptation to various degrees. ‘If you have built something to last five years, for example, the structure is probably okay, but you will need to enhance the specification, such as adding protective coatings to make the cladding last longer,’ explains Jon Leach, regional director of building engineering at Aecom. But extending the life of a structure that was intended to last just three months is much more difficult, he adds: ‘You’re likely to have scaffold or tent structures, which are not as robust, and you’ll have major maintenance requirements, so it’s very difficult to justify extending the life of these types of buildings.’

Neither do temporary buildings escape the normal planning obligations, explains Richard Brown, assistant director in town planning at Deloitte Real Estate: ‘You still have to think about the environmental impacts, such as a flood risk, and if you’re in an ecological area, you have to conduct an environmental study. Also, you must consider how you will use the land and the impact of the development on amenities.’ >>

‘Introducing a structure as a temporary project can tackle resistance to change and allay fears about the impact of development’

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Temporary trend //

09.13 // MODUS 17

Constructed in 1889, the Eiffel Tower was originally designed as a temporary

structure to commemorate the centenary of the French

Revolution. Today, it continues to serve as an important radio

and television transmitter, and is one of the most visited

attractions in the world


It’s hard to overestimate the impact of the earthquake that struck Haiti in January 2010. According to the United Nations, more than 222,570 died, 300,572 were injured and 2.3m – nearly a quarter of the population – were made homeless. This shows clearly how in disaster situations, after medical emergencies, the next most immediate need is usually shelter.

The emergency shelter hastily constructed in dire circumstances provides a lifeline for the affected population. However, those who work in the field of post-disaster construction are finding that that short-term emergency shelter is actually even more important than previously thought, as people often end up living in it for months or even years.

Of course, the ideal solution would be to build permanent structures immediately, but this is rarely possible. ‘Usually, despite a lot of money being pledged, it takes a long time for funds to start trickling in,’ explains Seki Hirano, senior technical adviser for shelter and settlements at Catholic Relief Services. ‘People will often be sheltered under tents or plastic sheets at first, so you have to provide temporary housing to bridge the gap.’

With temporary housing now understood to be an integral part of the recovery process, a number of new approaches to construction are being adopted. The first is to avoid land where the ownership is disputed – as is the case in many parts of Haiti. Hirano says that ‘because temporary structures stay for long periods, and naturally tend to become the site for permanent developments, it’s well worth establishing upfront who owns the land’. For similar reasons, organisations such as Catholic Relief Services now aim to ensure that the government is involved in providing guidance on urban planning and reconstruction housing standards even at the temporary stage.

When it comes to design, emergency shelter providers now try to copy vernacular techniques, tweaking the design to make it more resilient in case of future disasters, explains Hirano. This will mean that you’re more likely to find the materials locally, and build structures that offer protection against some of the local weather conditions. In the southern Philippines, for example, after typhoon Bopha hit in December 2012, Catholic Relief Services followed the local

tradition of using coco lumber and raising buildings on stilts to protect from flooding, but also introduced cross-bracing to strengthen the structures.

Anthony Hatfield, a senior lecturer at Wolverhampton University, has researched post-disaster construction for this year’s RICS COBRA conference. He says that the best designs are the most basic, so that the shelters are simple enough for local people or other non-construction professionals to build themselves, quickly. He adds that minimising design variations is another good idea – especially if some elements of the building are manufactured: ‘As with all machine-made items, with each variation the cost rises.’ However, Hatfield adds that while a one-size-fits-all solution for post- disaster housing might sound appealingly efficient, his research has found that the best approaches actually adapt to local social conditions, terrains and climates. Hirano agrees: ‘Every disaster is different, so while there are general principles that we can apply, in each case our response adapts to the unique local conditions.’ rics.org/disastermanagement

‘If you look at the temporary buildings we’re designing for the Rio Olympics, a huge amount of thought is going into them. They are beautiful, functional and they meet a host of requirements’

Equally, temporary solutions do not mean that design short cuts are possible. A building required for a few weeks may require the same amount of time and money spent on design as a structure intended to last for more than 100 years. ‘I would not underestimate the amount of work that goes into the design of a temporary building, especially those designed to be dismantled and re-erected, cautions Hein Le Roux MRICS, associate director at Davis Langdon, an Aecom company. ‘If you look at the temporary buildings that we’re designing for the Rio Olympics in 2016, a huge amount of thought is going into them. They are beautiful, functional and they meet a host of requirements, from health and safety regulations to the specifications of sports federations.’

It’s also worth keeping in mind that while a building may not be permanent, the infrastructure around it may have to be – which may add significantly to costs. ‘People often overlook what sits outside the venue, such as power and transport links,’ says Le Roux. He adds that the cost of dismantling the structure should be taken into account, too: ‘When you factor in the cost of dismantling, possibly rebuilding, and the logistics around the process, it may be that a temporary building is not actually cheaper than a permanent one.’ And in the case of a demountable building, it’s essential to have a buyer ready to take the ‘second hand’ elements in order for the financial case for the venture to work.

Finally, a short-term building may feel inferior to a fixed one. ‘Often, temporary buildings aren’t as nice as permanent buildings,’ explains Fagent. ‘They are noisier – because of bouncy wooden floors, for instance – and they can get very hot or cold.’ But despite this, and other challenges, it’s clear that temporary buildings do solve cost and planning problems in many cases – which is no doubt why we’re seeing more of them popping up.

So what are the implications for how we perceive our built environment? Leach sums it up: ‘Temporary structures undoubtedly mean that our view of the built environment is changing. This reflects the fact that clients have ever-changing needs, as well as how fast technology is moving – in fact, many things in life are less permanent now.’

:emergency shelter DESIgNINg mORE ROBUST, SUSTAINABlE AND lONgER-lASTINg SOlUTIONS

18 r ics.org

Temporary trend //


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09.13 // MODUS 19


20 r ics.org

Shipping containers //

Opened in 2011, BOXPARK pop-up mall brings more than

60 carefully chosen brands to derelict land in Shoreditch, east London, each housed in a refitted shipping container

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AffordAble, mobile And prActicAlly indestructible, shipping contAiners Are increAsingly being put to use on dry lAnd As shops, offices And eVen homes. AmAndA Birch inVestigAtes this promising property trend

‘My first reaction was…what?! The idea of converting a shipping container into a home

seemed crazy,’ says Andy Winter, chief executive of the Brighton Housing Trust (BHT). But it took him only 10 minutes to be convinced of the concept’s potential.

Located between the sea and the South Downs, there is little room for Brighton to expand much further, and the city is experiencing an acute shortage of affordable housing. BHT works with around 12,000 people a year who, as well as battling other issues such as drug or alcohol abuse, are all in need of accommodation. By installing 36 converted shipping containers at Richardson’s Yard to provide temporary housing for Brighton’s homeless men and women, important spaces will be freed up in BHT’s services, enabling more people to get off the streets. Winter says that those who use BHT’s services particularly liked the self-contained nature of the units, which feature their own shower, toilet and >>


kitchen: ‘For people who have experienced an unsettled way of life and have lived on the streets, having your own facilities and your own front door is very important.’

The joint venture between BHT and development partner QED Property has been granted five years’ temporary planning permission, as the site is earmarked for long- term redevelopment. The tenants will live in the units for between six months and two years. During that time, the accommodation will be monitored closely for such things as soundproofing and heating costs, and after five years, the homes will be transported to another vacant site.

But QED is by no means the only company to realise the unique potential of container conversions. Transforming the corten steel boxes typically seen stacked 10-high on huge container ships into usable spaces for commercial and residential projects abound across the world, ranging from offices and pop-up shops to bird hides and schools. Some architects have produced quirky one-off pieces by cutting openings in the container walls and reconfiguring them, and elsewhere, containers have been used in conjunction with other building materials to create strong, cheap and unique spaces.

According to Drewry Maritime Research, there are more than 21m shipping containers worldwide. And with the slump in global

Right and below: Container City II, the second phase of the original project at

London’s Trinity Buoy Wharf, and the 24 containers that

comprise LOT-EK’s PUMA City, a transportable retail and event building, which was assembled at several

different international ports

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shipping trade during the recession, an increasing number of containers are now collecting in ports, resulting in many being recycled. This glut means that they are also relatively cheap, with 40-foot (12.9m) units costing £2,000-£3,500, depending on their condition. But these are not the only benefits of the humble shipping container: they are also very mobile, and can be easily lifted on to a truck and relocated to another site, making them suitable for a multitude of temporary uses, such as emergency shelters, pop-up shopping malls and mobile art galleries. Since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, emergency container shelters are being used increasingly in the US and elsewhere to house victims of natural disasters. ‘The main reason for their growing popularity in this field is their ability to be shipped virtually anywhere in the world,’ says Caitlin Clark, of Auburn University in Alabama, who has written a thesis on using shipping containers for

student housing. ‘In most cases, the interiors of containers are fitted out using traditional construction methods, and shipped with the windows and doors loose inside. Once the containers arrive on site, the windows and doors are punched in and installed.’

The mobility, low cost and rapid off-site fabrication of shipping containers were the main reasons why Quinten de Gooijer, CEO of Tempohousing, used them to provide a quick housing solution for 1,000 students near Amsterdam. Keetwonen is believed to be the biggest ‘container city’ in the world and, according to de Gooijer, has been such a success that there is now a waiting list. Planning permission for the complex has been extended to 2020.

Development consultant Urban Space Management pioneered an even more usable space by joining two containers together when they built the groundbreaking Container City in London’s Docklands. The company has subsequently carved out a successful business niche and developed more than 60 other container projects, including marketing suites, a sports hall for south London’s Dunraven School and a travelling theatre called the Electric Hotel. They also designed the temporary BBC television studios for the London 2012 Olympics, the ‘Big Blue’, which was made from 114 shipping containers painted >>

Below: Richardson’s Yard in Brighton, a temporary housing scheme that will use 36 refitted containers to create self-contained unitsTop left: Completed in 2010, LOT-EK’s APAP OpenSchool, an art school and exhibition space in South Korea, is made from eight containers cut along a 45-degree angle and raised 3m above ground

Above: The modular design of ECOntainer Bridge, by Israeli architects Yoav Messer, allows for total flexibility and means that much of the construction work can be done off-site, minimising disruption. The bridge will connect Arial Sharon Park near Tel Aviv to its car-parking areas


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bright blue and stacked nine storeys high. ‘To make a 16ft-wide (4.9m) space, we join two containers and remove the adjoining walls,’ explains John Burton MRICS, project manager at Urban Space Management. ‘Then we use columns at certain distances to stop the roof from bowing. If you start cutting along the length of a container to make it shorter in order to fit into a plot, you’re cutting into the structural integrity and spending a lot of money cutting and then re-welding it. Containers are really good when you’re clever about the engineering and don’t reduce the length.’ Burton adds that, overall, the advantages of converting containers far outweigh the disadvantages. If building costs are quite high, he says,

there’s an immediate benefit as labour costs are much lower and shipping containers don’t require deep, complex foundations.

What’s more, the finished product is usually starkly different from the original metal box. ‘It feels just like a normal office,’ says Glenn Payne MRICS, associate director of construction consultancy ig9, which rents studio space in the Riverside Building on Trinity Buoy Wharf, part of Container City. ‘The internal partitions have been removed so we have the width of three containers, and you don’t feel confined at all. Before I came here, there seemed to be a stigma towards working in a container environment, but now I think attitudes are changing. If people are willing to go with a less conventional space, and if it suits the needs of the business, why not consider it?’

It seems that more and more people are now considering container conversions, and attitudes are changing. Many now see the robustness, flexibility and mobility of containers as a real opportunity, and given their availability and recyclability, it’s also a sustainable practice that’s long-lasting and relatively cheap.

:From ship to shoreCustomising a Container for use on landpop-up placesAs the containers only need a power source to operate, they can literally ‘pop-up’ anywhere, making them ideal for temporary retail outlets and exhibitions. In New Zealand, for example, salvaged shipping containers

were used to create Re:START (pictured top), a bright, funky temporary shopping mall in the city of Christchurch following the devastating 2011 earthquake. Meanwhile, as part of the radical transformation of the 61-year-old Pier 57 on the Hudson River in New York (pictured above), the use of containers will reference the river’s shipping history and the pier’s previous port function. The ambitious scheme by architects LOT-EK and developer Young Woo & Associates will see the abandoned pier redeveloped into an innovative retail, food, art and cultural centre.

modular constructionAt Portishead Marina in Somerset, 28 shipping containers have been stacked four-high at either end of a traditional concrete frame to house a new pub and restaurant for UK brewery Hall & Woodhouse. The second part of the scheme, by architects Mackenzie Wheeler, will see a further 108 containers converted into hotel accommodation and stacked on top at a later date, when the funds are available. A few of the containers will be fitted out as they are to be single rooms, while the double rooms will be made from two 20-foot-

long (6.1m) containers welded together to create more space.

strength and durability Shigeru Ban is one architect who has found an entirely new use for the container’s form. His community centre (pictured above) for the tsunami-ravaged town of Onagawa in Japan uses shipping containers as robust, disaster-proof outside walls to support the centre’s timber roof. They also provide ample storage space. The building is compelling in its simplicity and beauty, and shows what can be done when containers are left intact.

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Below: re:start temporary shopping mall, new Zealand

Bottom: Plans for the dramatic conversion of the abandoned Pier 57 on the Hudson river in new York

Bottom right: onagawa community centre, Japan


09.13 // MODUS 25

In the UK, over recent years we’ve seen continued travel disruption, property damage and, in some cases, tragic loss of life caused by fl ooding. Meanwhile, fears have been mounting that when an agreement between the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and the government expired in June this year, insurance against fl ood risk would become more expensive, or even unavailable for some properties. Fortunately, a new agreement – or rather, an agreement to devise an agreement – was reached just in time, providing relief to many households at risk.

However, the situation served as a reminder of how important it is to consider a property’s fl ood risk during a valuation, and during this uncertain period, there are certain issues that surveyors need to be aware of in order to discharge their obligations without liability.

THE RISING TIDESince 2003, ABI members have provided fl ood insurance in the UK according to the Statement of Principles, which was updated after the 2007 fl oods. It states that, as long

as the risk is not significant, ABI members will make flood insurance available for properties built before the end of 2008, as part of standard household and small business policies, until 30 June 2013. For existing customers, they will renew fl ood cover even if there is a signifi cant risk, providing the Environment Agency intends to reduce the risk within fi ve years.

Initially, it didn’t seem likely that the Statement of Principles would be renewed. But on 27 June, after protracted talks between the ABI and the government, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was announced on how to develop Flood Re, a not-for-profi t fund that would ensure that insurance remains widely affordable and available to homeowners at high risk of fl ood.

Although the details are yet to be established, in theory Flood Re will provide a fund to offer fl ood insurance to people at high risk who might otherwise struggle to obtain affordable cover. Insurers will pass over to the fund high-risk homes they feel unable to insure, with premiums calculated on council tax banding, starting at no more than £210 per annum in bands A and B, and rising to £540 per annum in band G. The fund will be fi nanced by a £180m annual levy on insurers, formalising the existing cross-subsidy between low- and high-risk premiums. The new scheme will cover a probability of

fl ooding of up to one-in-200 years – six times worse than the fl ooding in 2007. However, it’s not designed to cover ‘catastrophic’ fl ood events, which the government would be responsible for responding to.

Like the Statement of Principles, Flood Re will only apply to properties built before 1 January 2009, to avoid incentivising unwise building in fl ood risk areas. However, it will also only cover homes, whereas the Statement of Principles covered properties occupied by small businesses, too. What’s more, Flood Re will exclude homes in the highest council tax band in England (band H), and the equivalents in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Under Flood Re, ABI members will apply risk-based pricing to decide whether, and at what cost, to offer fl ood cover for business property. For properties at risk, policyholders are likely to have to pay higher premiums or excesses, or may be unable to obtain cover at all. And property without cover could be unmortgageable, which will reduce the pool of available purchasers and the amount they are prepared to pay.

As a result, property-buyers are increasingly requesting fl ood searches, and where these reveal a risk, they may demand protective work be carried out by the vendor, or a price reduction offered to compensate. Or, of course, they may decide to buy another property. The increasing quantity and quality of fl ood data now available enables a more sophisticated assessment of risk to properties not covered by Flood Re, which may help owners in choosing appropriate fl ood resistance measures to improve the risk profi le of their property so that insurance cover can be obtained – either at all, or on more affordable terms.

Flood Re is not due to be in place until mid-2015. In the meantime, ABI members will voluntarily continue to meet their commitments under the Statement of Principles while operational issues are resolved.

KARI MCCORMICK is a partner at law fi rm Burges Salmon.burges-salmon.comDownload the RICS guide to fl ooding at rics.org/fl ooding.

THE NEW ‘FLOOD RE’ FUND WILL ENSURE THAT FLOOD INSURANCE REMAINS AVAILABLE TO THOSE AT HIGH RISK

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Law advice //

The future of

FLOOD INSURANCEBy insurance lawyer Kari McCormick


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28 rics.org

Building standards manager, Perth and Kinross Council

Gordon LindsayInterview by George Bull Photograph by Martin Huter

Member profile

I’ve been involved in building standards for 38 years, and have been responsible for advising on T in the Park since 1997, when the festival first came to the disused Balado airfield in Kinross-shire. That year was a steep learning curve. I was tasked with preparing the licence conditions relating to structures, barriers, fences and facilities for disabled people, which involved a lot of research as I had to familiarise myself with industry publications such as the Event Safety Guide (or ‘Purple Guide’). I have a lasting memory from that first year of standing up in the airfield’s old control tower with the festival promoter studying the plans and trying to imagine what the site would look like. To see an empty field temporarily become Scotland’s fifth largest town when the festival is on is quite remarkable.

A lot has changed since 1997. The first licence was for around 35,000 people, and now it’s 85,000 – making it the UK’s second largest greenfield festival after Glastonbury. As the size of the festival has grown, so too has the complexity of our job, leading to a more integrated, multi- agency set-up. Initially, we had one set of conditions to which various agencies contributed, but now we operate with a series of management groups – the festival organisers, and the emergency and frontline council services – which each produce a plan relating to its area of expertise. Also, working with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and representatives from T in the

Park, we produce the ‘Structures and Fire Safety Management Plan’. I find this integration of teams on a project of this scale is one of the most interesting sides of the work, and it broadens my experience of the overall running of the event. An interesting fact is that, with the exception of x-rays, the on-site hospital is able to handle the same eventualities as any other hospital in the country.

We start planning each year with a multi-agency debrief with the promoters in September, which gives us an opportunity to assess any problems with that summer’s event. In 2012, for example, the rain was the worst I’ve experienced at the event and we had to work closely with the organisers to make sure that safety concerns were addressed without any major disruption to the running schedule. As a result, this year the promoter has improved site drainage just in case. The underlying aim of building standards is to ensure people’s safety, but a festival site obviously presents different challenges to those we typically encounter. You have to think about how festivals operate, and how festival-goers are likely to behave – for example, how will the typical risks be magnified when there is a large group of people in quite a confined space. A lot of thought goes into the layout of the site to ensure safe passage in and out of temporary structures, particularly when they’re filled with 10,000 people. The T in the Park organisers are very safety-conscious: they

know the profile of the bands and their followers, so it tends to be them coming to us and saying, ‘We’re aware of this risk and this is what we suggest to avoid it’.

I’ve now been at every T in the Park for the past 16 years, and during that time I’ve walked a lot of miles as we’re responsible for monitoring compliance with the licence conditions throughout the festival. We’ve developed standard checking processes and a system of reporting defects that’s built into the management plan. But the job is not without its perks, and I do get to see some of the acts. The one that really sticks in my mind is Iggy Pop, who played in 2000 – for someone of his vintage to put in such an energetic performance was something to behold!

T in the Park does set a high standard for safety and it’s something that the organisers pride themselves on. Indeed, the partnership way of working that we’ve developed with them has had an effect on other events coming to Perth and Kinross, as our expectations of new promoters are now set at what is effectively the gold standard. As the number of music festivals and outdoor events across the country has increased in recent years, we’ve had interest from other local authorities keen to see how we operate with T in the Park. That sharing of knowledge and experience is good for the building standards profession and also good for the events industry in general.

MODUS_Sept13_P28-29_Profile.v3.indd 28 14/08/2013 09:38

09.13 // MODUS 29

Festival planning //

Gordon Lindsay MRICS helps to ensure the safety of 85,000 festival-goers at Scotland’s T in the Park

‘To see an empty field temporarily

become Scotland’s fifth largest town is

quite remarkable’

MODUS_Sept13_P28-29_Profile.v3.indd 29 14/08/2013 09:38

ARE YOU CONVERTED?

Words by Katie Puckett Illustration by Borja Bonaque

30 r ics.org

Empty offi ces + housing shortage = offi ce-to-resi conversions. It must have sounded like a simple enough sum to government ministers when they announced that planning rules would be

temporarily relaxed so that buildings can be changed from offi ces into homes. As usual – and as surveyors are all too aware – the devil is in the detail. If conversions are to be the solution to either the affordability crisis in housing or unwanted commercial buildings left gathering dust by the recession, it will only be after a range of financial, technical and political constraints are overcome.

The strength of opposition to the policy certainly took ministers by surprise. When a free-for-all on the conversion of all commercial uses was fi rst mooted back in 2011, there was such an outcry that it was shelved for more than a year, only resurfacing in January this year. Local authority planners warned of dystopian scenes, with the UK’s commercial centres turned into luxury apartments and bought up by absent overseas investors, while entrepreneurs struggled to fi nd offi ce space. The watered-down version fi nally brought in from May 2013 applies only to offi ces, and local authorities could apply to exempt certain areas where there would be a detrimental economic impact. Many applied, and 17 were successful, including 11 in London.

So what will the consequences be for the UK’s towns and cities? So far, surveyors report defi nite interest from residential developers, and some office-to-resi conversions are already going ahead through the conventional planning route, including a £350m scheme at London’s 1960s Centre Point tower to create 82 flats. Even small changes to the complex planning system can have dramatic unintended consequences, but there’s a question over how much impact this temporary relaxation in the rules can have when there are so many other factors in play.

‘We’re seeing pockets of activity across the UK, but it’s all about economics and it’s very geographically specific,’ says Mark Farmer MRICS, head of residential at EC Harris. The fi nancial viability of an offi ce-to-residential conversion is an intricate balance between its likely value before and after, and the cost of the conversion itself, and the potential value and cost of a complete redevelopment. Farmer points out that converting purpose-built offi ces into residential units is easier said than done. The crucial factor is the shape and

TEMPORARY RELAXATION OF PLANNING CONTROLS MEANS THAT EMPTY OFFICES COULD NOW BECOME NEW HOMES. BUT IS THIS REALLY THE ANSWER TO THE UK’S HOUSING SHORTAGE?

O� ce to residential

YOU

dimensions of the building: anything built since the mid 1980s is unlikely to be suitable without major structural alteration, because these buildings can have deep floorplates, and were designed to be air-conditioned and artifi cially lit. ‘You end up having to cut lightwells into the building or oversizing the central core to get enough daylight,’ he explains.

In central London, conversion rarely stacks up fi nancially because sky-high residential values demand a premium product: ‘If you attempt to convert an existing offi ce building into premium residential, you’re usually compromising on the product,’ says Farmer. ‘Returns can therefore be signifi cantly lower than if you optimise the design, even with the extra time and cost of a new build factored in,’ he adds. High-rise buildings are usually the exception, where the additional costs and time associated with major demolition shifts the scales back towards conversion.

Even outside London, the economics still rule out conversion in many cases. In markets where there is still signifi cant demand for commercial space, such as Cambridge, the value created by the conversion doesn’t justify the cost of buying out leases and carrying out the building work. Meanwhile, unwanted offi ces on industrial estates will hardly be more in demand as residential units: ‘No one is going to buy dark, dingy conversions,’ comments Mike Derbyshire, director in the London planning team at Savills.

Developers are also racing against the clock. The permitted development rights expire in May 2016, which means they have only three years to fi nd a suitable building, convert it and begin the residential use. ‘What do you have to have done to have “begun use”?’ wonders Marcus Bate, a senior associate and planning specialist at Pinsent Masons. ‘There might be a limit to the size of project that can be realistically completed within three years. Also, it’s all very well changing the planning rules, but how many buildings out there are actually vacant and fi t for residential use?’

Then there is the thorny issue of persuading the local authority that planning permission isn’t required in the fi rst place. Developers must fi rst submit a prior notice demonstrating that they’ve considered fl oor risk, and that the development will not have an impact on local transport. ‘The latter certainly is a matter of judgement,’ says Derbyshire. In fact, local authorities have considerable opportunity to frustrate the process if they are so minded – a worry for developers given the strength of local authority opposition. ‘We’re only dealing with the fi rst applications now, so it’s still to be seen how reasonable and proportionate authorities are going to be,’ says Bate. ‘You could end up having to give so much information to the authority before they say you don’t need any further approval, or that such approval is given, that it almost becomes as onerous as a planning application anyway.’ >>

MODUS_Sept13_P30-33_Office to resi.v2.indd 30 12/08/2013 16:04

09.13 // MODUS 31


Office conversions //

32 r ics.org


There’s also the catch that planning permission will be required for any external changes to the building, such as recladding and adding balconies or car parking – and few office buildings could realistically be made habitable or attractive without some external modification. But everyone believes that there are a few cases where all the right ingredients are in place. ‘I think it will work for tired old buildings coming to the end of their useful life that are next to city centre transport links,’ says Derbyshire. ‘I see it more as a welcome injection of energy in difficult times than a long-term structural change.’ He believes the greatest opportunities are just outside the central London exemption zone. ‘Places like the edges of Camden Town and Kentish Town are attractive to developers because residential values are so high and you don’t need parking.’

Bate agrees that the exemption zone in London could create value at the fringe: ‘It’s an opportunity for areas just outside the Central Activities Zone to punch above their weight. Previously, an investor or developer might not have looked outside Zone 1, but if a site doesn’t need planning permission, and is also subject to lower Community Infrastructure

Levy charges and has good transport links, it could become more attractive.’ Against the cost of the conversion, the change of use application may be a small element – but it could just sway the balance on marginal sites.

While they may increase housing supply, what conversions won’t do is bring forward more affordable homes. Registered social landlords must meet a range of very tough standards to secure a social housing grant – such as level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes – which would be impossible or prohibitively expensive to achieve with a 1960s office building, especially with the lower value that affordable units would generate. In fact, housing bodies fear the net result may be fewer affordable homes, as developers are able to swerve obligations demanded by planners. ‘One of the principal ways local authorities are able to ensure affordable housing is built is through the

planning system,’ says Pippa Read, policy leader at the National Housing Federation. ‘Converting commercial property into residential property without going through the planning system could increase supply in some areas – but we’re concerned it may allow developers to escape their obligation to deliver affordable housing.’

Meanwhile, concerns remain that office space taken out of the market will be hard to replace when the upturn does come. ‘If there’s less commercial space, it could become more expensive,’ says Jeremy Blackburn, head of UK policy at RICS. ‘There won’t be an immediate drying up because there’s too much space at the moment – but when the economy begins to turn around, that might kick in.’

Residential-to-office conversions are much more unusual – not least because of the differences in ownership models: the average commercial lease is now just 4.8 years according to the British Property Federation, while residential properties are sold with leases of 99, 125 or even 999 years. Which means that while the policy may be temporary, any conversions that do take place will be as good as permanent.

RichaRd Kauntze chief executive, British council for offices

‘It’s about balance. It could be a real problem if everyone’s living in expensive homes and there’s nowhere to accommodate new businesses. But there are many empty office buildings around the UK – particularly in city centre fringe locations – that have no future as offices. They’re often 60s or 70s buildings that don’t meet modern requirements or are in the wrong place. For these buildings, it’s a stark choice: conversion to another use, or the wrecking ball. Here, the planning changes are a positive thing, as they could smooth the passage of a development that’s currently just on the wrong side of the economic dividing line due to the cost of planning. When that’s stripped away, a developer might think it’s worth a punt.’

PRof Rebecca tunstall director, centre for housing Policy, york university

‘There’s no harm in the policy but it probably won’t revolutionise UK cities. I think it will result in some disused offices being turned into housing – but not much and not necessarily affordable housing. If I were a developer, I wouldn’t look at disused offices first unless it was a really fantastic site – and then I might be looking at the site rather than the building. There may be places where it works for everyone and has a local impact, but it won’t be something that shows up in the figures looking back. This happens every time there’s a recession and excess space in one area. In the 90s, a policy to encourage switch of use from offices to residential resulted

in a few conversions, but only in the thousands of units.’

Johnny dunfoRd MRics RICS gloBal commercial ProPerty director

‘In regional towns, where there’s very little demand for commercial stock, this could be a boost. But there’s a risk that many conversions could change the dynamic of a city. In São Paulo, Brazil, residential and office accommodation is mixed up over the core, which is chaotic and means the city has little structure. Whereas the City of London, which has actually opted out of the policy, is known for being very busy during the day and very quiet at night – and it obviously works. Residential and office buildings need servicing in ways that are incompatible – for example, offices tend to be serviced during the silent hours, when residents would be trying to sleep, while residential rubbish collection takes place in the morning when people would be going to work.’

Justin Gaze MRics residential develoPment land head, knight frank

‘I think there will be a handful of conversions, but we’re not going to see a wholesale “de-officing” of towns and cities. Many office buildings that come to the market are in inappropriate locations, surrounded by other offices, while others are the wrong shape and have low floor-to-ceiling heights. There aren’t many office buildings close to good transport links and local amenities that haven’t been redeveloped already. There’s also a limited number of people that can do it: as a rule, housebuilders won’t consider older buildings, and social housing providers require Code for Sustainable Homes level 4, which is hard to achieve in a conversion. That leaves the private rented sector, but it will be hard for non-housebuilders to get funding.’

:balancinG act the imPact of conversions

‘I see it more as an injection of energy in difficult times than a structural change’

09.13 // MODUS 33


34 r ics.org

MODUS_Sept13_P34-39_Pop-up retail.v6_Bus adv.indd 34 12/08/2013 15:40

09.13 // MODUS 35

The pop-up phenomenon offers a lifeline To landlords of empTy shops

and a viTal TesTing zone for new enTerprises. BuT can iT Turn The

Tide for The high sTreeT? words by Simon Creasey

photographs by Carol Sachs

Down-turn

Around 18 months ago, Ruth Siwinski and her business partner Nathan Mills had a dream. They wanted to translate their very successful wholesale

butchery business, which supplies top-end restaurants in and around London, to a high street store to offer ordinary consumers the opportunity to buy their high-grade meat. But there was a problem: landlords were just not interested. ‘We’d been looking for premises for about a year, but because we were a relatively new business, some landlords were wary as they’d been stung in the past,’ Siwinski recalls.

But then the business partners found out about the Portas Pilot scheme in Forest Hill, south-east London, developed on the back of Mary Portas’ 2011 high streets review, which offers aspiring retailers the opportunity to set up a pop-up shop in an empty unit for a month. It seemed like the perfect solution, but although the area’s residents had been crying out for a butcher’s shop on their online forum, would they support the venture? The answer was a resounding yes. Siwinski and Mills opened the doors of The Butchery in a former Caribbean restaurant in December last year for 24 days, and the business performed so well that, in February this year, The Butchery signed a nine-year lease on the premises. >>


Since the recession began, one in eight retail properties in the UK have been left empty thanks to the demise of high street retailers, such as Woolworths, Jessops and Comet. As a result, the pop-up model has emerged, allowing landlords to avoid paying business rates on empty units and instead generate additional revenue from a short-term lease while they wait for a longer-term tenant. And it’s not just start-up businesses like The Butchery that are benefiting from the trend: over the past few years, big-name brands such as eBay, Marks & Spencer, Dr Martens and Diageo have used the pop-up concept as a marketing tool.

But how do pop-up schemes work? The basic premise has been around for a number of years, with retailers taking on units for short-term seasonal ventures, such as Christmas shops. But around the mid-2000s, entrepreneurial start-ups, and blue-chip brands looking to undertake experiential marketing activities, began to employ pop-ups, sparking the creation of businesses solely focused on facilitating

short-term leases as the movement gathered pace. Today, there are many of these businesses worldwide, according to Mike Salter, co-founder of We Are Pop Up, which provides a listings service for landlords to advertise vacant units available for short-term lets. ‘Although pop-ups are appearing all over Europe, Asia and America, at the moment they tend to be concentrated in large urban centres, such as New York, Shanghai and London,’ he says. ‘However, we’re starting to see increased demand from outside of London – for example, we just launched in Brighton – and we’re now looking to expand across the UK.’

One of the first UK pop-up businesses was property consultancy Popupspace. ‘Previously, I worked for a large private landlord and was always trying to find creative solutions to the problem of voids and vacant spaces,’ recalls Rosie Cann, who founded Popupspace in 2008. ‘There were a lot of people looking to take a property on temporary terms and I saw an opportunity to match potential tenants to vacant properties.’

Previous page: Sydenham High Street in south-east

London, one of three locations targeted for revitalisation by

the SEE3 Portas Pilot scheme Below: Stuart Simmonds and his fashion outlet The Middle

Clash, one of four pop-up shops in Sydenham delivered

by The Shop Revolution

36 r ics.org

Pop-up retail //


But despite the package of potential benefits, it’s not always easy convincing some members of the property industry to embrace the pop-up concept, says Ross Bailey, CEO of online short-term retail space marketplace Appear Here. ‘Especially when you consider that commercial property’s quarter-day rent periods have barely changed since the Middle Ages,’ he adds. ‘Because of this, we’ve been delighted by the forward-thinking of some landlords, especially those such as British Land, Broadgate London and Legal & General who have signed with us exclusively.’

However, for the time being at least, a major stumbling block for landlords, tenants and commercial surveyors is the amount of money it costs to process short-term lets, says Redgrave. ‘The cost of the legal process for a pop-up space is similar to that for a 10-year lease,’ he explains. ‘Someone has got to foot those bills and, as landlords are not keen to pay around £500 in legal fees for a week’s rent, the cost is typically pushed on to the tenant, meaning that it quite quickly becomes financially unviable for the tenant to >>

‘For the landlord, the responsibility for business rates passes to the tenants, and there’s the security of having an active occupier to discourage vandalism’

09.13 // MODUS 37

Aretha and Erica Rutherford a few days before opening their pop-up gift shop Love Harlem in Sydenham

The business model of Popupspace is incredibly simple: ‘People come to us and say, “We’re going to be carrying out a sample sale or promotional activity, so we need a thousand square feet in Manchester city centre and this is our budget,”’ explains Cann. ‘We then go out to the market and find a property to match their demands.’

Eamonn Murphy MRICS, from Murphy Chartered Surveyors & Property Consultants in Belfast, says that the pop-up model provides a major benefit for retailers struggling in the current economic climate, as it allows them to dip their toe in the water without committing to an expensive longer-term deal. ‘In today’s world, it’s difficult for retailers to know if they should open on a high street or in a shopping centre, so from a tenant’s point of view, it’s a good way to trial the location for limited financial outlay,’ he says.

What’s in it for landlords?For landlords, the potential benefits of pop-ups are equally as attractive, according to Louise

Brooks, project director at The Shop Revolution, which is responsible for delivering 10 pop-up shops for the SEE3 Portas Pilot scheme in south London used by The Butchery. ‘Pop-up shops increase the level of awareness of the property to prospective tenants or owners, so there’s an increased potential of a long-term let,’ explains Brooks. ‘Also, the responsibility for business rates passes to the tenants for the duration of the pop-up, reducing costs for the landlord, and there’s the added security of having an active occupier to keep the building in good repair and discourage vandalism or squatting, which can be a real risk to vacant premises,’ she adds.

Although some landlords are quite rightly nervous about potential tenants that may not have a proven track record of renting property, generally speaking, they tend to be less anxious about short-term deals, as they usually reserve the right to evict misbehaving tenants, says Andrew Kilpatrick FRICS, director of Kilpatrick & Co in Swindon. ‘Having said that, temporary tenants are reasonably good at leaving properties as they find them, as they know that if they don’t, word will get around, and they may be unable to get another unit,’ he adds.

The financial rewards of short-term lettings can also help to assuage any lingering concerns, with some occupiers willing to pay over and above the market rent for a well-located space, says Rob Redgrave, department head at Miller Commercial in Truro. ‘We did one short-term let over Christmas where the tenant paid one-and-a-half times the annual rent, so for the landlord, the benefit outweighed any risk involved.’


Check the permitted use of the building according to planning law, and if it’s owned on a leasehold basis, check that the lease allows temporary lettings.

Protect your property against damage by getting some form of payment from the tenant up-front. ‘It’s hard to get a rent deposit from tenants, so often the best you can achieve in reality is payment of a licence fee in advance,’ says Andrew Kilpatrick FRICS, director of Kilpatrick & Co.

Draw up a standard contract, and be aware that a short-term letting can be almost as costly as securing a long-term lease. If you intend to regularly let a building on a short-term basis, ask your solicitor to draw up a standard contract that can be used for multiple tenants.

Register vacant property with a pop-up agency. Many allow landlords to list their property for free, and some have standard short-term letting contracts in place to cut down on legal fees.

Make sure it makes commercial sense: ‘Ultimately, it’s got to be worthwhile for the landlord. One week might not be worth doing, whereas three months might. Consider the alternative: if it’s likely that the property is going to stay empty for that period, it becomes more worthwhile to seek a short-term letting. But if the property is likely to be attractive to the open market on a long-term lease, a pop-up might get in the way of a longer term deal,’ says Rob Redgrave from Miller Commercial.

:WatCh this sPaCe

Advice for LAndLords

considering A short-term Let

‘How exciting would it be for local residents to have an ever-changing high street, with fresh ideas and products from local producers?’

occupy for a short-term.’ As a result, Redgrave says that only around 10% of the enquiries he fields for pop-up lettings reach completion.

It’s clear that there are a number of obstacles to overcome before pop-up shops become the ‘global phenomenon’ that Philip Sandzer FRICS, head of retail at DeVono Property, forecasts. However, he remains enthusiastic: ‘There is a real opportunity for high streets to take advantage of the growing trend and offer pop-up rental to more local and up-and-coming retailers and restaurateurs,’ he says. ‘How exciting would it be for local residents to have an ever-changing high street, with fresh ideas and seasonally based products on offer from local designers and producers?’ Tristan Pollock, co-founder of US- based Storefront, which has placed more than 100 brands into empty spaces in San Francisco since December 2012, is similarly bullish about the future outlook for pop-ups. ‘Worldwide, short-term stores are a growing, lasting trend,’ he says. ‘We see the future of retail as more targeted, temporary and tech-savvy.’

Indeed, the biggest problem threatening the growth of pop-ups at the moment is finding suitable available space, as the demand for space

is currently outstripping supply, says Salter, who claims that for every pop-up space We Are Pop Up lists, he receives at least 10 requests. ‘There is a disconnect between how people want to use empty space and how the majority of it is being managed. We want to change that,’ he adds.

With global economies in desperate need of a new generation of entrepreneurial enterprises to help kick-start growth, a sea change in attitude is required sooner rather than later, says Siwinski. She adds that, although she and Mills would have launched The Butchery (pictured left) eventually, if they hadn’t been able to trial the concept in a pop-up format, it would have taken them far longer and exposed them to more risk. ‘You can do as much market research as you like, but it’s only when you open a shop that you really know whether or not customers will walk through the door. And because more walked through than we expected, we had the confidence to open permanently,’ explains Siwinski. ‘Also, running a successful pop-up for a month proved to the landlord that we were a serious business that could be sustainable,’ she adds.

Although the pop-up movement alone might not be a panacea to the serious

problems facing high streets and shopping centres worldwide, it could provide a short-term boost that buys governments, landlords and business-owners more time to

develop a longer-term strategy.

38 r ics.org

Pop-up retail //

the Butchery in forest hill, London

What’s youR vieW on

PoP-uP Retail? email editor@ricsmodus.

com or tweet @modusmag


09.13 // MODUS 39

The iPad, and other mobile devices, are revolutionising the building surveying process by allowing us to complete many elements of the job more quickly and effi ciently. But with a few additions and peripheral items, you can make your device work even harder.

FAULTLESS DATA TRANSFERThe laser measuring device has long been the building surveyor’s friend. Now, manufacturers are offering Bluetooth-enabled models, which can talk directly to your iPad so that the collected measurements can be uploaded to the system automatically and wirelessly, removing all room for human error. While there are a number of different models on the market, we fi nd that the most popular is the Leica DISTO D3a BT, priced at around £320. There is also a growing number of surveyors using barcode readers to tag assets. A common example is the Opticon OPN2002, which at around £200 is a significant investment, but one that could quickly pay back in saved

time and increased accuracy.

DEVICE PROTECTIONA common concern for surveyors is how suitable a mobile device is for taking into harsh environments, such as construction sites. There are a number of solutions on the market to protect your device, but by

far the most widely used cases are Griffi n’s Survivor and Otterbox’s Armor series. The Survivor is designed to exceed US military specifi cations, while the Armor is waterproof for 30 minutes in 2m of water, survives 3m drops and can withstand two tonnes of crushing force – which is probably enough protection for most surveyors. At the extreme end of the scale, there’s the XCRiPad, a completely sealed unit designed for the most hazardous environments, including those classifi ed as carrying a risk of explosion or ignition, such as oil fi elds.

LOW-LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHYThe beauty of using the iPad camera is that the photos can be uploaded automatically and stored correctly using surveying software. Usually, the iPad camera is more than adequate for a surveyor, but there may be times when lighting is poor, or other survey requirements are requested, such as thermal imaging, which means that a more advanced camera is needed to capture a visual record.

However, this can also mean reverting to the days of manually uploading the images from the camera to the computer, and wasting hours painstakingly labelling and filing them. Not any more, thanks to the technology provided by Eye Fi – a nifty camera memory card that automatically uploads photos and videos from digital cameras via wifi . As long as the surveying software being used is designed to communicate with the technology, surveyors can use their own state-of-the-art cameras and still upload and store the images automatically.

SUPERIOR SURVEYSWhile some of these sophisticated add-ons are very useful, the majority of surveyors using mobile technology are satisfi ed with the basic iPad. In fact, the most popular choice is the iPad mini, as most surveying software performs exactly the same way on this smaller, lighter, less expensive version. Today’s surveying software can be fully customisable in terms of form layouts, drop-downs and photo labelling, and touch-screen technology allows users to swipe between buildings, spaces and elements to record defects in seconds and see real-time savings.

In the past, technology providers seemed to operate in a different world to the surveying industry, but now they are increasingly identifying our needs and designing solutions that really help surveyors embrace mobile technology and all the benefi ts it can bring in terms of quality, speed and accuracy. The right technology forces consistency across multiple surveys and surveyors, and dramatically improves the quality of data across building portfolios. What’s more, multiple apps can be used at the same time on mobile devices – for example, to synchronise surveys with Building Information Modelling software.

EDWIN BARTLETT MRICS is CEO of Kykloud, providers of mobile surveying and asset management software.kykloud.com

THE RIGHT TECHNOLOGY FORCES CONSISTENCY ACROSS SURVEYS AND DRAMATICALLY IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF DATA

Illus

trat

ion

Borja

Bon

aque

Business advice //

How to adapt your

IPAD FOR SURVEYINGBy effi ciency expert Edwin Bartlett MRICS


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CEM Postgraduate Diploma in SurveyingWalid Al HaddadMatthew ArnoldRichard David BakerPeter John Richmond BaxterGeorge BennettAgnieszka BiskupskaDarren ByrnePaul Norman CassidyChan Kit HongEtienne Paul ChickRichard ColvilleFiennes Alexander Wykeham Martin CornwallisClaire Eve CowanThomas Peter DicksonSamuel Richard Gronow DowningArkadiusz DrozdzAaron John DurrantMichael FairleyGavin Mark James FerrarisRebekah Jane FreemanShatrughna GadariaStephen GloverMichael GeronimoCharlotte Emily GilfillanMatthew Clifford GlennyGillian GreenShawn Barry GreenfieldMatthew HartleyIan HayesGemma HillClair Alice HurseyIrina IliescuMelissa Anne JepsonPaul William JonesJohn Daniel KavanaghDavid Andrew KeenDavid Charles Eminson Kendall

Phillip Ethelbert MayersRachael McCabeDeborah Jane McGheeKelly MeldrumMaria Colette MeloniJohn MerryLynne MorrisAlexander MullettSundaravelu R MuruganBeatrose MurunguSteven John NelsonThiraviam NivethananWilliam Tawanda NyanguGbenga OdusiHittige Gayan Buddike PereraRathnayaka Arachcige Kapila PereraAlexa Natalie PhelpsJoe PhelpsJason Christopher PhiloraJoshua Stephen PughPitumpe Appuhamilage PushpakumaraMatthew RichesIndika Sanjeewa SamarawickramaChristopher Richard SampsonErika SmithEsther Quentisha St LuceLaurel Roseanna Fleur SweetMartyn SwinsonPatricia Kareka ThomasDavid Jonathan ThompsonMichael Robert Joseph TreacySrinivasu VempatiMichael Robert WalkerRichard Anthony WatsonSampath Priyajanaka WattegeCharitha WeerakoonChristopher Edward WilliamsClaire Louise WindleDavid WrightRoy Younes

Jordan Ross KenefickKong Chun WaiTom LawrenceMichael James LeeRebecca Ellen LewisRobert LillisPeter John MacleanGareth Sebastian MaidmentDawn Marie McGinleyPatrick Gerard McGuiganNicholas Howard MerryThomas Michael MiklausicMelios MouzourasMartin MuttittNg Chun LeungChristopher James NixonKathryn Louise OgdenNicholas Daniel OkeDavies OkyereKieran James O’LearyDouglas James ParkerDaniel Alexander PerfectGeorgios PitrosJason Peter ReadingSarah Rees-DaviesDaniel Peter RichClaire Suzanne RowbothamAna SkoricMatt Trevor SlaterMaria SonkinMark SortainDaniel Rhodri ThorneElizabeth TimoneyAlexander George TurnerAlexander VanheukelenRochane Denyce VyeDaniel WalsgroveEdward Thomas WhalleyLee James WilliamsMark WilliamsSally Louise WilliamsYuk Lin WongJennifer Marian WookeyHenry Anthony WorssamTsang Pak Yam

RICS Postgraduate Diploma in Project ManagementNatalie BaileyFrederick N BoyneChristopher Jonathan PerkinsKelley Webber

www.cem.ac.uk

The College of Estate Management wishes to congratulate all Undergraduate and Postgraduate Diploma students who graduated this yearThe presentation ceremony was held on Saturday 6th July 2013 at Reading Town Hall

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BCSC Diploma in Shopping Centre ManagementCharles Anthony BarrattMalcolm John BerryMegan BrandGiovanni CarrollSophie Louise FosterMarie GribbenDarren Antony HarmanAlexander Stuart HayJohn JonesMichele Claire JonesGary MelnitschukDeborah O’DonnellJames PulfordJames SmartJohn Alan StephensClaire SuggittMargaret TaggGareth ThomasAlan Howard Wright

CEM Diploma in Construction PracticeSimon Benjamin BurtonDamien Jude Anthony FrancisJohn GraysonDavid HollowayVijo Kuriakose JosephChristian John NewmanRobert James TinsleyLaura TorodeNicholas Anthony WienandMartin Christopher Wrigley

CEM Diploma in Surveying PracticeChamindu Kanishka AbeysooriyaLinda Asiedua AnnorPhilip Neil ArmstrongBuddima Bakthimal Balapitiya LiyanagePhilippa Jane BasonRobert BeebeMark BristowAllison ByersPaul James BrewsterLaura Marie Bryson

Claire Frances Kennedy ChisholmChun Kei Keith ChiuSimbarashe ChiurugwiChristopher ClarksonGeorgina Stephanie CoatesPaul CordellRhys Franklyn CranfieldLisa CridgeJoseph CumpperJayne DalrympleBelinda DavieEugene Gcina DlaminiMichelle Theresa DoolanHannah Marie DownesPriyanka Prasanna EdirisingheNicholas EphgraveJean Paul FarrugiaCarolyn Jane FreemanNathan GeorgeAnthony David GillDaniel Kirk GoodridgeKieron GorvanLorraine GrantMichael HadjioannouStephen Mark HardingJoshua James HareAlan HayesLauren HrachovecBrian David HumphriesCraig Alexander JamiesonGraham James JardineHelen Louise JonesChatura Jayampathi JothirathnageMarshall Irimai Kanhemba NyakuedzwaMarc KerridgeKristie LoakesPaul Raymond Loveridge

CEM Postgraduate Diploma in AdjudicationRobin ChapmanSeamus CreatonValda Marina De Melo KochKevin GilmoreUma MenonIan Edmund ReeveAnthony John Sexton

CEM Postgraduate Diploma in ArbitrationAngelica BocaPeter Ching Lung KwanJessica LakinMartin Edward LyonPaul Joseph MorrisonCheow Kean WangKin Yip Wong

CEM Postgraduate Diploma in Conservation of the Historic EnvironmentPeter CrossLynette FawkesBettina Johanne HanksSteven KnottAnna MelvilleEve Patricia Elizabeth Van Der Steen

CEM Postgraduate Diploma in Facilities ManagementJane Macdonald

CEM Postgraduate Diploma in SurveyingWalid Al HaddadMatthew ArnoldRichard David BakerPeter John Richmond BaxterGeorge BennettAgnieszka BiskupskaDarren ByrnePaul Norman CassidyChan Kit HongEtienne Paul ChickRichard ColvilleFiennes Alexander Wykeham Martin CornwallisClaire Eve CowanThomas Peter DicksonSamuel Richard Gronow DowningArkadiusz DrozdzAaron John DurrantMichael FairleyGavin Mark James FerrarisRebekah Jane FreemanShatrughna GadariaStephen GloverMichael GeronimoCharlotte Emily GilfillanMatthew Clifford GlennyGillian GreenShawn Barry GreenfieldMatthew HartleyIan HayesGemma HillClair Alice HurseyIrina IliescuMelissa Anne JepsonPaul William JonesJohn Daniel KavanaghDavid Andrew KeenDavid Charles Eminson Kendall

Phillip Ethelbert MayersRachael McCabeDeborah Jane McGheeKelly MeldrumMaria Colette MeloniJohn MerryLynne MorrisAlexander MullettSundaravelu R MuruganBeatrose MurunguSteven John NelsonThiraviam NivethananWilliam Tawanda NyanguGbenga OdusiHittige Gayan Buddike PereraRathnayaka Arachcige Kapila PereraAlexa Natalie PhelpsJoe PhelpsJason Christopher PhiloraJoshua Stephen PughPitumpe Appuhamilage PushpakumaraMatthew RichesIndika Sanjeewa SamarawickramaChristopher Richard SampsonErika SmithEsther Quentisha St LuceLaurel Roseanna Fleur SweetMartyn SwinsonPatricia Kareka ThomasDavid Jonathan ThompsonMichael Robert Joseph TreacySrinivasu VempatiMichael Robert WalkerRichard Anthony WatsonSampath Priyajanaka WattegeCharitha WeerakoonChristopher Edward WilliamsClaire Louise WindleDavid WrightRoy Younes

Jordan Ross KenefickKong Chun WaiTom LawrenceMichael James LeeRebecca Ellen LewisRobert LillisPeter John MacleanGareth Sebastian MaidmentDawn Marie McGinleyPatrick Gerard McGuiganNicholas Howard MerryThomas Michael MiklausicMelios MouzourasMartin MuttittNg Chun LeungChristopher James NixonKathryn Louise OgdenNicholas Daniel OkeDavies OkyereKieran James O’LearyDouglas James ParkerDaniel Alexander PerfectGeorgios PitrosJason Peter ReadingSarah Rees-DaviesDaniel Peter RichClaire Suzanne RowbothamAna SkoricMatt Trevor SlaterMaria SonkinMark SortainDaniel Rhodri ThorneElizabeth TimoneyAlexander George TurnerAlexander VanheukelenRochane Denyce VyeDaniel WalsgroveEdward Thomas WhalleyLee James WilliamsMark WilliamsSally Louise WilliamsYuk Lin WongJennifer Marian WookeyHenry Anthony WorssamTsang Pak Yam

RICS Postgraduate Diploma in Project ManagementNatalie BaileyFrederick N BoyneChristopher Jonathan PerkinsKelley Webber

www.cem.ac.uk

The College of Estate Management wishes to congratulate all Undergraduate and Postgraduate Diploma students who graduated this yearThe presentation ceremony was held on Saturday 6th July 2013 at Reading Town Hall

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:RICS NEWS :DIARY :BENEFITS :RESOURCES

HOPEFlow, a new suite of ready-mixed fl owing concretes and screeds, has been launched by Hope Construction Materials, the UK’s leading independent concrete supplier. Designed to suit any construction need, HOPEFlow comes in several diff erent mixes, which can be placed signifi cantly faster than conventional concrete. It fl ows easily around busy rebar and complex formwork, and provides a top-quality surface fi nish that requires little, if any, remedial work. And as there’s no need for vibration, it’s safer and quieter, too. HOPEFlow is ideal for most concrete jobs, from foundations and fl oors to walls and columns.

‘A combination of additive technology and the aggregate blend gives HOPEFlow its

remarkable properties,’ explains Mike Bull, Hope’s technical director. ‘After an intensive development programme and live trials with construction partners, we’re delighted to introduce this new product. Self-compacting concrete isn’t new, but the ability to supply it almost anywhere in the country is innovative.’

Karl Lawes of Co-Dunkall Ltd, which is one of the fi rst fi rms to use HOPEFlow, says: ‘By using HOPEFlow, you can generally get a new-build plot of 150m2 poured and fi nished within

three hours. The service and technical support we receive from Hope is fi rst class, and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend their products.’

FOR MORE INFORMATION, please email [email protected] or visit hopeconstructionmaterials.com.

Advertorial

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42 r ics.org

Construction Management Msc in International

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Department of Engineering and the Built Environment

Qualifications to build a careerHigh quality professionally accredited programmes delivered in a supportive and friendly environment.

n BSc (Hons) Building Surveying RICS Accredited

n BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying RICS Accredited

n BSc (Hons) Real Estate Management RICS Accredited

One-year full-time or twenty seven months part-time. September and January starts.

For further information:

Click: www.anglia.ac.uk/RICS13 Email: [email protected] Call: +44 (0)845 196 3964

Professional Doctorate and PhD programmes also available.

Undergraduate

n MSc Project Management APM Accredited

n MSc Construction Management RICS Accredited

n MSc Construction Project Management RICS Accredited

n MSc Conservation of Buildings IHBC Accredited

PostgraduateThese can be studied full or part-time.

MODUS_sept13_P42-51_Info.v2.indd 42 12/08/2013 15:49

01.11 // MODUS 09

Information :rics news :diary :benefits :resources

Finally, it seems the UK construction sector is turning a corner, with new projects starting in almost every part of the country, according to the latest RICS Construction Market Survey. Since the start of the downturn in 2007, the amount of construction going ahead has dropped considerably and the sector has suffered substantially as a result. However, in 2013, activity has slowly begun to pick up, and during the second quarter of the year, a net balance of 21% more surveyors reported rises in workloads – the most positive reading in more than six years. rics.org/construction

ConstruCtion up useful numbersContaCt Centre +44 (0)870 333 1600

General enquiriesAPC guidanceSubscriptionsPasswordsLibraryBookshop

regulation helpline +44 (0)20 7695 1670

Confidential helpline +44 (0)20 7334 3867

dispute resolution serviCes +44 (0)20 7334 3806

switChboard +44 (0)20 7222 7000

this modest improvement in ConstruCtion Comes after a long period of ContraCtion and many firms are still struggling

simon rubinsohn RICS Chief Economist

09.13 // MODUS 43

the uK government has announced an increase in infrastructure spend

by £3bn a year from 2015

£3bn

The UK government’s infrastructure spending

plan includes Crossrail


08 r ics.org

facts, stats & surveys

RICS news //

44 r ics.org

Illus

trat

ions

Osc

ar B

olto

n Gr

een,

Ber

nd S

chiff

erde

cker

The lowest reading was

in Northern Ireland – although this is still

an improvement

more respondents

predict workloads will continue to rise rather

than fall again

more surveyors reported rises in construction

workloads

21%

Investment in infrastructure New research has been published that looks at infrastructure investment in Bangalore and how it may stimulate investment in other sectors. By 2030, the urban population in India is expected to reach a staggering 575m, therefore spending in infrastructure should

be backed by a comprehensive government policy framework. India has already seen huge growth in infrastructure spending – for example, in railways, highways, airports and power generation – and this research looks into the potential effect of sectoral spillover,

particularly in an emerging economy. for example, improved infrastructure could provide potential stimulus to commercial and residential building through housing, employment and better labour mobility.rics.org/research

RICS has established an independent commission to look into the challenges facing the UK valuation profession. chaired by former MP Dr Oonagh McDonald, the commission will consider the following issues: the availability of valuers in the market willing and able

to undertake valuations the level and transparency of fees paid in relation to risk

and reward, and the impact of low fees on standards If the process for procuring valuations is fit for purpose the challenges of availability and price of PII (professional

indemnity insurance) recommendations to ensure there is an appropriate

balance of risk and reward in order to protect standards and best serve the public interest.

the commission invites evidence and contributions from stakeholders working in lending, insurance, regulation and property valuation. submit written evidence by email to [email protected] by 30 september.rics.org/valuationinquiry

a new methodology for best practice, cost analysis and benchmarking in property projects is now available. Part of the rIcs Black Book, the Cost Analysis and Benchmarking global guidance note aids professionals through the process of analysing property project costs to ensure that quality, value for money and the highest international standards are attained. In an age of rapid technological development and the rise of ‘big data’, conventional and well- proven methods of international cost analysis and benchmarking assume a new significance. this guidance consolidates best practice and introduces the principles for establishing new systems in new markets in order to improve cost prediction and project performance worldwide. rics.org/blackbook

GlOBal BeNchmarkS

valuatION INquIry

59%-4%


01.11 // MODUS 09

w

09.13 // MODUS 45

The time it would take the industry to regain lost ground (based on basic

extrapolation of current data)

The percentage of respondents reporting

skills shortages (up from 7%)

The percentage that respondents expect

workloads to increase by over the next

12 months

Taken from the RICS UK Construction Market Survey Q2 2013. To contribute your

industry knowledge to the next survey visit rics.org/contribute.

Michael Newey FRICS RICS President

‘As professionals, we need a global outlook. Success at home is no longer possible without recognition abroad’

The fast-paced interconnected world we know today is almost unrecognisable from the one I knew when I entered the profession in

1981. Enormous political and technological change has transformed our everyday lives; what we now take for granted would have seemed like science fiction 30 years ago.

In the business environment, globalisation is arguably the biggest change we’ve witnessed. Today, governments and business leaders acknowledge that no developed or developing nation can be self-contained and hope to succeed; the very few that persist with isolationism are failing. Isolationism is a bad business model. As professionals, therefore, we need a global outlook and to understand international business dynamics.

Take investment flows, for example. Money moves around the globe in an instant – rapidly flowing into new investment opportunities, but leaving just as fast if investors become nervous. Consequently, the corporate ownership of many companies is increasingly international. In 2012, the UK alone benefited from around £42bn of foreign direct investment, and companies such as Jaguar and Land Rover have thrived under international ownership while retaining a UK brand identity.

This phenomenon extends beyond major employers: the UK small business market is currently the most favoured inward investment location in Europe, attracting 40% of Japanese, US and Asian investment within the EU. As CEO of a housing association, I see this every day: we house people in the east of England, but we couldn’t do it without international interaction. We source funding, building technology and even some consultancy services from outside the UK, which ensures our viability so that we remain able to provide work for local small and medium-sized enterprises.

But while clients and employers take an increasingly global perspective, they still demand professional services to the highest technical and ethical standards. For example, UK investors acquiring a scheme in Asia want to know they can access good advice from RICS members in that market. As developing economies become more developed, the demand for professionalism increases. And as we respond by giving access to our standards, our status as qualified members is enhanced.

Whichever market we operate in, we need external investors to recognise our standards and choose our services. Success at home is no longer possible without recognition abroad. Isolationism is not an option.

RICS has published a policy paper that looks into the impact of rapid global urbanisation, and reflects on whether the land-use choices currently available offer adequate solutions to

the challenges of urban growth. The various urban forms currently adopted – which include urban gentrification, suburban development and edge cities – all present very different

implications in terms of density, development cost- effectiveness, social benefits and environmental impact, and there’s usually a mix of forms within the same city. It’s necessary, therefore, to

adopt a long-term vision in order to achieve a balance between financial viability and sustainability benefits over the entire life cycle. Available in October at rics.org/sustainability.

SuStaInable uRban exPanSIon

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

9%1.9%

2.5 years


08 r ics.org

It was with interest that I read a LinkedIn discussion recently on the lack of valuers in the South East. The general response echoed my own belief, that it’s the low fees paid for this highly skilled role that has caused a UK-wide dearth of valuers. I actually work in commercial property, but many of the arguments are the same. Namely, do recipients of valuations understand the effort that goes into producing a well-written report? Or do they think we attend site and simply pluck a number out of the ether? Of course, RICS-registered valuers following the Red Book, wouldn’t do the latter – would they? Recently, I saw a ‘valuation report’ that extended to just one page of text with a figure at the end, and a further two pages of caveats. At a push, it might have met the minimum requirements of the Red Book, but it didn’t give the client any advice. What I’d love to know is whether the fee paid reflected the level of the report requested, or if the report reflected the level of the fee paid.

When I joined my firm 10 years ago, our minimum valuation fee was £750. Today, despite inflation, it’s still broadly the same – but the reporting requirements have increased. Inspecting, downloading photos, preparing an OS plan, statutory and environmental research, researching and analysing comparables and dictating the report – after all that and overheads, there’s not much profit left. What’s more, many banks have introduced fixed fee scales, where the fee is determined by the anticipated value. But no two properties are ever the same: one may be an single factory, another a terrace of 15 units with 15 leases – and although they may have the same anticipated value, they won’t take the same amount of time to value. Vice-versa, there isn’t much difference in the time involved to value a £250,000 factory as a £1.5m one, although the fee will be greater for the latter.

So what can we do to arrest the devaluation of the valuer? I’m not naïve enough to think we can all just up our fees, but we could work harder to promote better understanding of a valuer’s skills and the benefit of a well-prepared report. Valuation is a vital area of work in this profession, and if fee levels continue to dwindle, so will the number of surveyors willing to undertake it.

If you are interested in being a secret surveyor, email [email protected].

‘do recipients of valuations understand the effort that goes into producing them?

Secret Surveyor

Recovery in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to gain traction and Asia remains an upbeat story, according to the latest RICS global commercial property survey. reversing the generally negative pattern that characterised the uae market from the end of 2009 until the middle of last year, further improvements in sentiment in both the occupier and investment real estate markets show that the tone in the property industry is continuing to gain ground.

By way of contrast, the picture in Brazil is rather more downbeat, particularly in the occupier market. however, the Brazilian investment market is continuing to display a greater degree of resilience, with data suggesting that, for the time being, property investors are willing to take a

longer-term view of the prospects for the economy.

results for asia demonstrate promise, with Japan leading the way on the investment side while also delivering a strong result for the occupier market. headline numbers for china remain firm, generally, despite a slight loss of momentum in the economy and growing concerns over the rapid increase in credit. meanwhile, in india, the real estate picture holds broadly flat, indicating a degree of caution as the central bank grapples with the challenge of a subdued economy and volatility in the currency.

unsurprisingly, europe’s headline indicators reflect the ongoing recession in the region, with occupier and investment markets remaining generally weak. however, the numbers for canada remain firm, and results for the us are encouraging, with further evidence of rising investor appetite and a stronger tenant demand driving rents and capital value expectations in an upward direction despite some mixed economic data. rics.org/marketsurveys

46 r ics.org

opportunItIeS In QatarIn partnership with UKTI, RICS recently hosted a seminar on the opportunities and challenges for UK firms seeking to export their expertise to Qatar ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Following the success of the London 2012 Olympic Games, UK businesses are in a strong position to offer advice on the technical and time-sensitive pressures of delivering a high-profile international sporting event. RICS Middle East Director Robert Jackson commented: ‘While Qatar’s ambition and financial leverage is plentiful, the number of professionals on the ground equipped to deliver the infrastructure needed is currently insufficient. As a result, international expertise in the form of large businesses and smaller, niche practices are starting to move into the market, capitalising on the wealth of opportunities that are emerging as projects now start to be released at an increased pace.’As part of the government’s 2030 development plan, Qatar is expected to invest around US$200bn in the country’s infrastructure over the next 10 years. UK firms can register interest as suppliers for Qatar 2022 by emailing [email protected].

uae recovery gatherS pace

RICS news //


01.11 // MODUS 09

07.12 // 08.12 MODUS 4709.13 // MODUS 47

MembershipData protectionQ: I’ve been told that I should get a ‘fair collection’ or privacy notice, what is it and what should it say? A: Many organisations provide their customers with a ‘fair collection’ or privacy notice at the start of their relationship. This is basically a written statement of what type of information the business will collect about them, why they need it and what they will do with it. Fair collection notices are the best way of fulfilling your legal obligations under the first data protection principle. The level of detail to be included will depend on the type of personal data that your business handles and what you do with it. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has published a code of practice

on privacy notices, which is intended to help businesses provide more user- friendly notices. It gives advice on drafting notices and how they can be provided, including examples of good and bad practice in this area. You can find this guidance on the ICO website (ico.org.uk). Remember that failure to comply with the data protection principles is a breach of the Data Protection Act, and could lead to an investigation by the ICO who can put in place warrants for entry and inspection into business premises. For more legal advice (provided by Riverview Law) and factsheets about the Data Protection Act and other topics, such as confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, visit rics.org/smelegal.

10 october Global RICS Strategic Facilities Management GuidanceFor most organisations, the building from which they operate represents one of their greatest corporate assets and, after staff, one of their largest operational costs. The methods adopted for the management of these facilities vary widely. This guidance note provides a helpful practitioner’s route-map of the processes that should be followed in aligning business and facilities strategies and plans with managing service delivery and reviewing performance.

8 november Defects/rectification (black book) This guidance note is for UK construction professionals who manage defective construction work or who have to address the consequences of defective work. Such defects may emerge during construction, during a contractual defects rectification period or at some point after completion. 18 november New Rules of Measurement Part 3 (NRM 3): Order of cost estimating and cost planning of building

maintenance works NRM 3 has been drafted in the same style and format as NRM 1 (Order of cost estimating and cost planning for capital building works), to create an alignment between the two documents. After significant work, a standardised cost data structure has been established to link construction elements to the relevant maintenance and renewal elements. This will allow users to overcome the capital/revenue divide, and to get into the detail of life-cycle costs in order to analyse and understand where money is being spent. rics.org/standards

Raising standards

GOveRNING COUNCIL

ConductDisciplinary panel 22 May 2013

rowland saunders and saunders associates (firm), norfolkSummary of finding: contrary to Rules 3 and 14 of the Rules of Conduct for Firms 2007 and Rule 3 of the Rules of Conduct for Members 2007penalty: expelled/costs

Disciplinary panel 5 June 2013

David pugh Mrics, WolverhamptonSummary of finding: contrary to Rule 9 of the Rules of Conduct for Members 2007penalty: reprimand/undertaking/costs

christopher Bodger, paigntonSummary of finding: contrary to Bye-Law B5.2.2(d) of RICS Bye-Laws 2009penalty: expelled/costs

appeal panel Hearing 2, 3, 4 July 2013

philip antino Mrics, essexSummary of finding: contrary to Rule 3 and Rule 8 of the Rules of Conduct for Members 2007Finding: penalty upheld/costs

Disciplinary panel 10 July 2013

ian phipps Mrics, londonSummary of finding: contrary to Rule 4 of the Rules of Conduct for Members 2007penalty: reprimand/undertaking x2/condition/costs

For full details, visit rics.org/conductcases.

History and the future were on the agenda at the RICS Governing Council’s meeting in London in July. During the annual general meeting, a presentation of posthumous RICS honorary membership was made to victorian scientist and land surveyor Alfred Russel Wallace, and Michael Newey was installed as President for the 2013-14 session. In an address to the Governing Council, Newey set out his themes: ensuring the continuity and custodianship

of the Charter Serving the public interest Leading professionalism in the 21st century Delivering a modern, business like RICS.

Read the report and watch a video at rics.org/governingcouncil.


08 r ics.org

Advertorial//

Benefitsrics.org/benefitsplus

How easy is it to counsel your clients into having a professional rebuilding cost valuation for insurance purposes? Many property owners – particularly those arranging insurance on behalf of residential properties such as a block of flats – view commissioning a rebuilding valuation as an unnecessary expense, especially in times of austerity.

But not disclosing the correct rebuilding cost to underwriters will usually affect the amount an insurer will settle a claim for. Insurers maintain a variety of stances on underinsurance, with some allowing a greater lenience while others adopt as little as 10% tolerance of underinsurance, which affects the settlement of claims.

Some brokers and underwriters foresee a hardening in the insurance market. And while this isn’t necessarily shown through imminent premium increases, insurers will inevitably try to find ways to balance income with claims costs. For example, they may start charging for previously ‘free’ add-ons, or adopt a more diligent approach to validating claims – which might include looking at underinsurance and its impact on settlements.

Underinsurance can have significant implications for all involved: potential financial losses for leaseholders; a possible Directors and Officers claim against the Residential Management Company; and even a professional

indemnity exposure for the property manager (for failing to advise their clients correctly). This is a worst-case scenario, but it may not come as a surprise that very few residential blocks comply with the recommendations on how often to have a professional RICS valuation undertaken.

RICS surveyors managing residential and commercial properties are well- placed to offer a valuation and advice on rebuilding costs as part of their management service. This makes them preferable to non-surveyor property management companies with no valuation capabilities – particularly when you consider latest statistics, which suggest that up to 85% of all properties are underinsured.

To ensure your clients are adequately covered, we recommend talking to your insurance provider, as many are happy to remove average and underinsurance clauses once a valuation has been undertaken by a chartered surveyor. They may even increase the policy declared value up to the next renewal date at no additional cost, making the cost to the policyholder easier to swallow. As a result, comprehensive cover, peace of mind and greater risk management can all be provided for the cost of a valuation.

For a residential block insurance quote, call 0845 071 3870, and you will be entered into our prize draw for a chance to win one of three Apple iPad minis. T&Cs apply. To find out more, visit jltgroup.com/RICS.

Understand underinsurance

To view all the latest offers, new partners and monthly and seasonal promotions, visit rics.org/benefitsplus.

48 r ics.org

Advertorial //


01.11 // MODUS 0909.13 // MODUS 49

professional development) with a choice of 18 breakout sessions. Gain guidance on a range of key developments, including changes to the Local Development Framework, the effect of new CDM (Construction Design and Management) regulations, and an update on the HS2 rail proposals.rics.org/yorkshirecpd

RICS South East CPD Day17 October, WinchesterGain six hours’ CPD with a choice of 18 breakout sessions. Gain guidance on a range of key developments, including boundary disputes, the effect of new CDM regulations, and high street planning and regeneration. rics.org/southeastcpd

RICS Awards – The Grand Final18 October, LondonAn impressive selection of entries have been shortlisted for the Awards Grand Final. Each project has beaten the regional competition and will now be pitted against its national peers in each of the categories. In addition, all the shortlisted projects

aspire to win the highest accolade, Project of the Year.£110 + VAT rics.org/awards13

RICS North Rural Conference22 October, HexhamDiscover the opportunities in the rural sector with insights into the advantages of Ecosystem Services and guidance to help you turn your land into an investment asset. In addition, gain key updates on the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy)reform and what this will mean for your clients.£100 + VATrics.org/northernrural

RICS Telecoms Forum Conference12 November, LondonJoin more than 160 delegates, top practitioners and key industry influencers at this year’s conference. Discuss legal and regulation changes, the current challenges, and the overall economic sustainability of the telecommunications industry and the implications for land, rural and planning surveyors.£245 + VAT (£220 + VAT if booked before 1 October)rics.org/telecomsconference

RICS North West CPD Day20 November, WarringtonGain six hours’ CPD with a choice of 18 breakout sessions. Gain guidance on key developments including the HS2 rail proposals, navigating

sitting their APC (Assessment of Professional Competence) final assessments. The sessions include critical analysis, presentation skills, a mock interview, ethics guidance and the process behind the APC. The day also includes workshops, where you will benefit from meeting with APC Doctors to discuss your APC on a less formal basis.£130 + VAT (£105 + VAT if booked before 22 August)rics.org/apcprepday

RICS Scotland Rural Mid-session Conference14 November, PerthUpdates on the latest developments in Scotland affecting the rural sector, including the latest on the CAP reform, the National Planning Framework Strategy, the National Planning Framework for Scotland 2: Action Programme, and

a brief overview of other key changes in planning relevant to the rural economy.£75 + VAT (£65 + VAT if booked before 1 October)rics.org/scotlandrural

WalesRICS Wales Infrastructure Conference24 October, CardiffThis conference looks at the progress to date of the Welsh government’s Infrastructure Investment Plan for Growth and Jobs, as well as current and planned infrastructure projects and their scope for stimulating the economy, adding value to public service delivery, creating jobs and providing opportunities for professionals in Wales and beyond. £80 + VATrics.org/walesinfrastructure

EventsNEC3 and JCT contracts and a technical overview of modern materials. rics.org/northwestcpd

RICS Rating Conference28 November, LondonFind out how the changing government policy, mechanisms and reforms, and the current property trends, are affecting practitioners, valuations and clients. The programme will involve high-level, strategic topics, as well as essential, relevant and practical aspects.£225 + VAT (£195 + VAT if booked before 30 October)rics.org/ratingconference

scotlandRICS APC Prep Day Scotland3 October, StirlingFocused, practical guidance for those

Book EvENTS oNlINE AT rics.org/conferences For enquiries, call +44 (0)20 7695 1600

RICS CPD SERIES september to January, various locations

This series of one-hour seminars provides low-cost continuing professional

development (CPD) tailored to your region. With topics including the Green Deal, residential valuations and local planning funding mechanisms, these seminars will help you meet the requirements of RICS’ new CPD policy and assist in your professional development. £30 + VATrics.org/cpdseries

englandRICS Dilapidations Forum Conference 18 September, London This annual conference is the ideal opportunity for delegates to hear the latest technical and legal updates, as well as network with other professionals working in the dilapidations sector.£220 + VAT (£195 + VAT if booked before 21 August)rics.org/dilapsconference

RICS Environment and Resources Conference3 October, BristolFind solutions to your business challenges through sessions on the review of mineral royalties, alternatives to landfill in the UK, environmental and renewable-energy developments, and registering minerals interests. In addition, Chair of the RICS Environment and Resources Board Phil Rayson will provide an update, including insight into the new RICS guidance on minerals law.£80 + VATrics.org/envandresources

RICS Yorkshire and Humber CPD Day17 October, LeedsGain six hours’ CPD (continuing


LondonGuy Rutland Bessant MRICS1968-2013, LondonPauraic Kiernan MRICS1979-2013, LondonPaul david Reeks MRICS1960-2013, London

noRth Westharry slott Blood MRICS1932-2013, Lancashirethomas stephen Briggs MRICS1924-2013, Liverpool

south eastColin Charles Bowden FRICS1923-2013, Ditchling CommonKenneth John davey FRICS1927-2013, DorkingJohn Raymond Foreman FRICS1929-2013, Guernseyharry herbert Galley MRICS1920-2013, RuislipGraham C hill FRICS1929-2013, CoulsonRonald spencer Lord FRICS1917-2013, High Wycombedavid William Masson FRICS1922-2013, Longfield

Barrie Ralph smith FRICS1926-2013, Herne BayJohn Walter Wilson MRICS1944-2013, Tunbridge Wells

south Westderek M L Bruges FRICS1931-2013, BathGeoffrey V Cope FRICS1938-2013, BidefordMichael Leonard dyson FRICS1934-2013, ChippenhamCharles Peter andrew stericker MRICS1953-2013, Crediton

West MidLandsFrederick d dyer FRICS1937-2013, Henley in ArdenChristopher edwards FRICS1951-2013, BirminghamFrancis Graves FRICS1929-2013, Bromsgrove

east MidLandsalan Macintosh Beck FRICS1923-2013, NottinghamGeoffrey dixon Brigham FRICS1927-2013, LeicesterMichael david Pemberton MRICS1970-2013, Cambs

stanley alfred John Reaves MRICS1928-2013, Downham Market YoRKshiRe & huMBeRedward Gordon astin FRICS1953-2013, WhitbyWalter hingley FRICS1917-2013, GrimsbyGordon hunter MRICS1925-2012, Sheffield

sCotLanddouglas John Kirkwood MRICS1946-2013, Renfrewshire

WaLesalan John Brenton FRICS1942-2013, PenarthFrederick John hills MRICS1921-2013, Tredegar

aseanWan Kat Few MRICS1940-2012, Selangor Darul Ehsan

MeneaLeslie irwin Weil FRICS1944-2013, Saxonwold

Obituaries

Please email obituary notifications to RiCs, including membership number if known, to [email protected] or call +44 (0)870 333 1600.

50 r ics.org

RICS news //

Pauraic Kiernan MRICS 1979- 2013

It is with great sadness that CS2 announces the sudden passing away of

senior surveyor Pauraic Kiernan on the afternoon of Friday 19 July 2013. Pauraic joined CS2 in 2011, with eight years’ experience within the commercial property industry.He was an expert in dilapidations, contract administration and CDM (Construction Design and Management) coordination. Steven Day, director of London at CS2, said: ‘Pauraic was a valuable and much-loved member of the CS2 London team, and will be sorely missed by all who worked with him. Our condolences go out to his family and fiancée, Deirdre, to whom he was a devoted partner.’ During his time at CS2, Pauraic worked with clients such as Berkeley Homes, Aberdeen Asset Management, Freshwater Group and GE Real Estate. Pauraic studied building surveying at Dundalk University of Technology between 1999 and 2002, and qualified as a chartered surveyor in 2008. Prior to joining CS2, Pauraic was at Capita Symonds Real Estate (formerly NB Real Estate) and Sprunt Ltd.

Chris Edwards FRICS 1951-2013

Throughout a career that spanned more than 40 years, Chris became a popular

figure who made a significant contribution to raising standards in the profession. Most recently, Chris chaired the RICS

Commercial Property Professional Group Board, which is charged with directing activity across commercial property and management consultancy professional groups.

Chris was one of the UK’s most sought-after advisers on property management issues. He was perhaps best known as the driving force behind the RICS Service Charge Code of Practice for Commercial Property, which launched in 2006 and was a real breakthrough in best practice. The welcome that the code received from all sides of the industry was testament to Chris’ foresight and energy, as well as his commitment to ensuring fairness and transparency in the management of commercial property. Prior to his involvement with RICS, Chris was also a distinguished and well-respected president of the Incorporated Society of Valuers and Auctioneers. He will be greatly missed.


09.13 // MODUS 51

RecruitmentFor recruitment advertising please contact: Angus Sharpe +44 (0)20 7871 2667 [email protected]

The October issue will be published on 30 Sep

Recruitment copy deadline Thursday 5 September

RESIDENTIAL VALUATION SURVEYORS - NATIONWIDE Opportunities exist throughout the UK with independent private practices, larger national organisations, financial institutions and surveying subsidiaries of residential property companies. Whether you want to work full time, part time, permanent, zero hours or freelance, we can help. Assoc/M/FRICS are all encouraged to apply.

With the shortage of valuation surveyors in the residential sector, clients now seek surveyors with existing or past experience of undertaking mortgage valuations and Homebuyer reports. Opportunities are also available for MRICS with sound knowledge of building pathology and defect analysis, working outside of the residential sector.

Salaries are highly competitive, with commission packages and various other benefits.

Jeff Johnson has 18 years unrivalled experience recruiting in the residential survey sector and is generally acknowledged as the industry’s leading expert. If you would like to discuss your immediate career objectives or register your details for future requirements, please call:

Jeff Johnson on 07940 594093. Or email your CV in confidence to: [email protected] www.mlarecruit.com

Looking for your next surveying job?Find out who is hiring today. Visit ricsrecruit.com or scan here

General Practice Surveyors required in England and Wales Especially London, Home Counties, Northampton, East Anglia, Devon & Cornwall and the North of England.

An opportunity to be employed or self-employed within a quality assured organisation where the emphasis is on expertise and competence supported by in-house technical support and CPD.

Successful applicants will be RICS Registered Valuers but interested in a range of professional work such as:

• Asset Management Support Services• Leasehold Reform Act / Lease Extensions• Boundary Disputes • Listed Buildings & Conservation Advice• Building Surveying Services • Party Wall Act Advice• Charities Act valuation Advice • Property Management• Commercial Investment Valuations

• Residential Investments , HMOs & BTLs• Compulsory Purchase & Compensation• RICS HomeBuyer Reports• Commercial Rent Reviews, Lease Renewals • Surveys and Specific Defect Advice• Expert Witness • Valuations for Probate, Taxation & Family Purposes• Leasehold Reform Act / Lease Extensions• Valuations for Banks & Building Societies

Please send your CV and covering application to Stephen Avery BSc MRICS, Chairman, Allied Surveyors and Valuers Ltd, Westgate Chambers, 3 High Street, Chipping Sodbury, Bristol BS37 6BA e-mail: [email protected]

89,820 average net circulation 1 July 2012 – 30 June 2013

Enthusiastic building surveyor requiredTo join an independent, mixed, mainly residential practice in SW London that specialises in party wall matters. Would suit a surveyor with 2-10 years’ PQE looking towards partnership/director status. Immediate start. Salary based on experience.

Send CV to Clare Edwards [email protected] (no agents please)


Residential surveyors required UK wide – permanent, freelance and zero-hours opportunities, outstanding incentivesWhile the market for residential surveyors has been subdued for some time, the recent (and sustained) pick up has created demand for additional (and returning) residential surveyors in numerous locations UK wide. As a long- established, highly accredited and well regarded recruitment consultancy that has serviced the sector for more than 15 years our clients include independent private practices, larger national organisations and the surveying subsidiaries of wider property groups.

Due to both the shortfall of existing surveyors in the sector and limited uptake of residential posts by newly qualified entrants, our clients are extremely flexible in their approach to filling vacancies and will consider permanent, freelance and zero-hours arrangements, home and office based.

WHO DO WE WANT TO HEAR FROM? Residential surveyors already working in the sector Residential surveyors who left the sector post 2008 but would like to return with referesher training Semi-retired surveyors (with residential experience) keen to keep active on a part-time/flexible basis Freelance surveyors keen to secure additional fee-sharing instructions RICS-qualified surveyors with relevant (though perhaps not direct) inspection or valuation experience

URGENT VACANCIES (BY LOCATION AND COMPANY TYPE) London with particular urgency in the SE, SW, E, EC, W, WC, NW and N postcodes (for large national organisations

and smaller independent firms. All cover top-tier work). North London, SW London (prime), SE London and Enfield have a particularly urgent need (again for various organisation types).

GU, KT, SM and CR postcodes (national organisations, independent multi-office practices and a financial organisation direct). GU, CR and KT have a particularly urgent need and a staff valuer opportunity exists in GU.

Kent postcodes DA, BR, ME and TN (all organisation types including a financial institution direct). Oxford, Reading, Slough and the closely surrounding postcodes (medium-sized independent firms, individual

private practice and several national organisations). Gloucester, Pembrokeshire, Slough, Reading, Portsmouth/Southampton postcodes (predominantly for

national organisations). Essex postcodes RM, CM, IG and SS (national organisations). SS has a particularly urgent need. Kidderminster (national organisation). Harrow/Middlesex generally (national organisation). Bournemouth (independent firm covering top-tier work for one major financial partner). Merseyside (national organisation).

REMUNERATIONSubject to location, experience and fee income permanently employed applicants can expect basic salaries ranging from £35k to £70k plus bonuses (as either a percentage share of fee income after threshold or based on ‘points’ amassed), a car/allowance and benefits. Zero-hours and freelance surveyors can expect fee-sharing arrangements of 30-60% depending on the organisation, location and terms (ie PI cover provided).

If you would like to discuss or express interest in one of our immediate needs or register your details for future

requirements please call or write directly in absolute confidence:

Greg Coyle

Head of Property Recruitment

Tel (direct): 020 8514 9116

[email protected]

www.bbltechnical.co.uk

To view more jobs online visit ricsrecruit.com

52 r ics.org

Modus_Sept13_P52-57_Recruitment.indd 52 12/08/2013 15:54

09.13 // MODUS 53

Recruitment //

Dealing with gaps in employment historyBy linda whitney

A gap in your CV can seriously undermine your career if you handle it badly. Whether it’s caused by redundancy, travel, the struggle to find a first job or caring responsibilities, an unexplained gap can quickly relegate your CV to the out-tray.Fortunately, employers are generally understanding about CV gaps: ‘We see CVs from chartered surveyors with gaps, which is understandable in a downturn,’ says Rachel Ashley, head of resourcing at built asset consultancy EC Harris. ‘We know it can be hard to find a job if you only have 30 to 90 days’ notice of redundancy, especially if family circumstances mean you cannot relocate easily.’ The key to dealing with a gap is to face up to it honestly, explain it and then find something positive to say about it. ‘It’s no longer embarrassing to have been made redundant – just be honest and upfront about it,’ says Ashley.

on your CVWhen constructing your CV, don’t just ignore the gap. Put the start and end dates, with a brief explanation about what caused it and what you did to help your career during that period. ‘Just stating that you were seeking work is not enough,’ says Rupert Stuart-Baker, director of property recruitment specialists Beach Baker. ‘You may have travelled, done charity work or renovated the house, so be sure to mention any new skills you learned. One senior surveyor used redundancy as an opportunity to travel around the world with his family, which was not only something to talk about at interviews, but also provided an opportunity to sell his communication and relationship-building skills.’

If you used the gap to beef up your qualifications or keep up with your continuing professional development, then say so. ‘Mention any courses or talks by professional bodies that you attended, as it shows you are keeping abreast of developments,’ says Ashley. Many job sites offer discounts on courses that make you more employable, such as PRINCE2 project management training or financial modelling, so remember to mention if you have done one.

Graduates looking for their first position in the surveying world face a particular challenge. ‘Among graduates, CV gaps between university and a first job in the profession are now common,’ says Christopher Mackenzie, director UK at real estate specialist Cobalt Recruitment. Some may have taken jobs that offered no APC (Assessment of Professional Competence) training, whereas others were maybe forced to turn to jobs in a different industry completely. ‘Whatever you did, it’s important that you explain the reason and how it has helped you develop the skills necessary for a career as a surveyor,’ says Mackenzie.

at the interViewSo much for explaining the gap on your CV, but what do you say during an interview? ‘Once again, be honest,’ says Ashley. ‘Simply explain why you have a gap, how you made good use of the time and show that what you learned makes you better qualified for the role. Above all, don’t be embarrassed to talk about it.’

Careers advice

Building Surveyors and Quantity Surveyors - New ZealandPrendos is a multi-disciplinary consultancy practice in

New Zealand employing over 100 staff. Our continued

growth means we have openings for chartered building

surveyors and chartered quantity surveyors in our

Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington offices.

Successful applicants shall have a broad range of

commercial experience and a minimum 5 years PQE.

We offer a flexible working environment and excellent

performance based income.

If you are ambitious and think that you would enjoy the

great Kiwi lifestyle and ever increasing and diverse work

opportunities, then we invite you to forward your CV

via email to: [email protected]

PrENdOS New Zealand Limited

Auckland Tauranga Wellington Christchurch www.prendos.co.nz

Maidstone Borough Council

Team Leader (PrinciPal Surveyor)Grade 12; salary £36,154 to £40,669essential user car allowance and professional subscription

A Team Leader post has become available, based at Maidstone House in the centre of the county town of Kent, and responsible for the delivery of an efficient and customer-focused service.

reporting to the Building Surveying Manager, ideally you will be a professional surveyor, (ricS/aBe) and be technically highly competent, as the role involves plan-checking and site inspection work for the town centre and major projects.

Self-motivated and customer-focused, you must be able to influence continual improvement through leadership and innovation. a positive attitude to change and new opportunities is required, including new ways of working and technology, in order to effectively manage those changes within the team.

For an informal discussion, please contact David Harrison, Building Surveying Manager on 01622 602034closing date 13 September 2013

www.maidstone.gov.uk


A personal invitation...

Immediate needs are as follows, but expansion is continuing at a steady pace so please feel free to make contact regardless of your location in England and Wales.

London (all areas), Kent (inside M25), Surrey (outside M25), Mid Sussex, Oxford, Maidenhead, Bristol/Bath, Birmingham, Leeds and Newcastle.

Landmark offer a competitive remuneration package, flexible working, and a culture of partnership and fair play. We want to work with you.

OPERATIONS MANAGER AND REGIONAL SURVEYOR

I am also seeking to recruit an experienced senior manager to develop and support our rapidly expanding Midlands and North region.

In addition to regional responsibility, the preferred candidate will be qualified to take on full management of our audit/risk processes nationally, and able to provide

practical operational and business support at all levels.

This is a key role in our organisation, and unlikely to include day-to-day fee-earning. If you are interested, please drop me a note with your CV, but I’m also happy to

take a call if you would like to talk it through first.

Steve Hardwick

TO ALL RESIDENTIAL SURVEYORSAre you… MRICS/FRICS qualified and experienced in carrying out

mortgage valuations, homebuyer and building survey reports?

Would you… like to work with a truly independent company that is professional and ethical, yet also flexible, innovative and forward-

thinking? One that’s run by surveyors, for surveyors?

If so… I would be very pleased to hear from you.

Steve HardwickBSc, FRICS (Director)

Landmark – Chartered SurveyorsEmail: [email protected] Telephone: 01293 820233

Consort House, Consort Way, Horley, Surrey, RH6 7AF

RSVP

RSVP

54 r ics.org



09.13 // MODUS 55

Recruitment //

Lewis Berkeley Building Control LimitedLewis Berkeley Building Control Limited looking for two senior building control surveyors to assist our sector expansion in London and within the M25 area.

Lewis Berkeley Building Control is growing and is now in its sixth year. We have experienced year-on-year growth, and now we need the right people to help us grow further and for those people to benefit with us.

We are offering the right people a basic salary of up to £40k pa, plus a bonus scheme of up to £20k pa, based on realistic OTE, 25 days holiday, private health care and company car or car allowance.

You will need to be RICS or CIOB qualified, preferably with LABC background and AI experience.

If you are the right person, please email your CV to Steve Mandy at [email protected] or call 020 7491 3198The closing date for applications 30th September, interviews to be held during October

Experts in ConstructionProviding specialist recruitment solutions for the construction sector, Randstad CPE o�er specialist tailored recruitment solutions for all stages of the build process, from the initial design and planning, build and project management, to the building services and facilities management.

As experts in our �eld with a long history in the construction market, including Olympic builds, we are best placed to help you with your recruitment needs.

For all your Construction requirements please visit www.randstadcpe.com/construction or call 0800 169 0863.

www.randstadcpe.com/construction

RICS 14th May.pdf 1 5/14/2013 3:38:15 PM


56 r ics.org


Surveying Opportunities Nationwide

Pinnacle Surveyors is an independent firm of chartered valuation surveyors based in the East Midlands. As a company, we offer flexible working conditions for those who are looking for full and part-time positions, zero-hour contracts or consultant roles. So if you’re tired of targets and technology, or are looking to reduce your workload and PI liabilities, then Pinnacle Surveyors has an opportunity for you.

We have appointments with all of the national surveying panels, and our clients include the major banks and building societies, independent private practices and large national organisations.

We currently cover the following areas:East Midlands, East Yorkshire, Home Counties, London, North East, South East, South Yorkshire and West Midlands. Whilst we are looking for additional cover in these areas, we are always looking to expand into other regions and welcome interest from anyone looking for a new opportunity. We are especially keen to recruit in London and the South East, Bedfordshire/Northamptonshire and South Lincolnshire.

If you are interested in joining a progressive and independent surveying firm, then send us your CV. Ideally you will be RICS qualified and an RICS Registered Valuer, with experience in the residential survey and valuation field.

Please email your CV to:[email protected] or call David Ellison on 07760 778324or Jason Staley on 07760 778325

Your boss is driving you mad, the demands are getting greater by the day and nobody seems to listen to you…

It wasn’t supposed to be like this in the professions, was it? There you are, thinking that, at this stage of your career – which is quite a way in now I guess – life should be better. But there doesn’t appear to be a way out, right? WRONG!

We’re looking for motivated chartered surveyors for contract/consultancy positions who can work to the highest requirements and, in return, will be treated with good, old-fashioned respect and professionalism.

Our lender clients demand the highest standards of work, but if you would prefer to explore a nicer, more valued and better way, simply contact us.

Working with respect could be one email away.

There is a better way

Forward your CV and contact details by email to:

[email protected]


09.13 // MODUS 57

Recruitment //

Involved in residential surveying, either as an employer or employee?The property recruitment team at BBL has a 15-year association with the residential property sector, servicing the career and staffing needs of individuals and organisations UK wide.

Unlike some recruitment agents, who offer a CV brokerage service based on limited knowledge of ‘keywords’, the professionally qualified team at BBL have a deep, first-hand understanding of the sector built up from many years servicing it at all levels. In fact, a great number of surveyors who speak to the consultants at BBL are surprised to hear that we are not actually surveyors ourselves, such is our understanding of their workload and associated terminology.

Furthermore, as a consultancy, we pride ourselves on offering a bespoke service tailored to the individual needs of those who contact us. In every instance, you can be guaranteed that discretion, consent and transparency are as paramount to us as they should be to you. As a job-seeker, you would not want your CV landing on the desk of a current or ex-employer, and as a hiring company, you would not want your competitors (or perhaps more importantly clients) aware of any staffing shortfalls.

Whether you seek a new role in the sector or additional staff to service increasing demand, speak to us today in confidence and without obligation to see how we might assist.

We never share information with third parties without your consent, and our recognised professional qualifications (for which we are compliance audited) are testament to our ongoing high-quality internal ethics and systems.

Greg CoyleHead of Property RecruitmentTel (direct): 020 8514 [email protected]

Residential Valuation SurveyorsFrom Aberdeen to Yeovil, Aberystwyth to Yarmouth, Valunation, a leading name in the residential surveying marketplace, offers residential valuations, RICS Condition and HomeBuyers Reports, building surveys and other property-related services to businesses and personal customers alike.

Our business is growing, and we’re looking to expand and strengthen our national team of residential valuation surveyors.

Valunation’s culture is that of a private firm, with a corporate attitude and national coverage. We are quality-driven, with a strong tradition of valuing our surveyors as individuals. We place much more emphasis on the quality rather than the quantity of what we deliver.

We have immediate vacancies for experienced, highly motivated individuals in various locations to meet the growth in both private client and lender work. If you are interested in joining us today, we would be delighted to hear from you. We are happy to consider full- or part-time working.

You will be MRICS/FRICS qualified, with a minimum of two years’ post-qualification experience and also an RICS Registered Valuer with recent experience in residential valuation and survey work. We may also consider and cross-train RICS-qualified surveyors looking to move into the residential sector.

Please email your CV, including your RICS membership number, directly to [email protected] or call Paul Lancaster on 07974 090113 for a confidential chat.

We look forward to hearing from you.


Top 10 ciTies for

serviced offices (number of centres)

London

414

new york

103

paris

100

hong kong

83

Tokyo

81sydney

78

manchesTer

77

Los angeLes

74

aTLanTa

72

meLbourne

68

1 in 10 UK contracts are on a rolling monthly basis

Largest provider in sector isRegus at 20% of market.Second largest is Servcorp at 2% of market

Paris

£868

tokyo

£659 Mil

an£63

7

Most expensive

cities (monthly, per workstation)

bris

tol

£226

sheffield

£181

birMinghaM

£209

cheapest cities

(monthly, per workstation)

Total serviced office space in the UK (up 7% in past 12 months)

2.9m m2

Total serviced office space globally7.4m m2

sources: Instant Global Serviced Office Review 2011, Instant UK Serviced Office Review 2012. instantoffices.com

globally

3.3london

6.7

average workstations per contract

Aberdeen23.1%

Uk locations on the rise

Croydon18.8%

London18.1%

Liverpool15%

58 rics.org

illustration by ian dutnall

desk jobglobal distribution of serviced offices

Measure //

MODUS_Sept13_P58_measure_v2.indd 58 12/08/2013 16:40

BTY.COM

BTY GROUP PROVIDESEXPERTISE FORCAPITAL PROJECTSIN EVERYINDUSTRY SECTOR

BTY GROUP PROVIDESEXPERTISE FORCAPITAL PROJECTSIN EVERYINDUSTRY SECTOR

We are one of the fastest growing consultancies in Canada for Cost Management, Project Monitoring, and PPP Advisory services.

Our � rm is always getting bigger, and we work as a unit, sharing our experience so that we can grow together.

With eight of� ces across the country we are always looking to add new team members.

• Senior and Intermediate Quantity Surveyors

• Mechanical Quantity Surveyors

• Electrical Quantity Surveyors

• Project Managers

• Project Monitors

• Engaging leadership, teamwork and initiative skills.

• Strong negotiation and communication skills.

• Relevant education and/or professional quali� cations.

BTY Group supports every team member with excellent compensation, bene� ts package and relocation services as well as exciting career opportunities and an involved and progressive work environment.

Register your interest by contacting us via email at [email protected] and we’ll send you more information about the company and inform you of upcoming interview opportunities in October.

WE’RE LOOKING FOR

IDEAL CANDIDATES WILL POSSESS

Join Our Growing Family.

MODUS_Sept13_P59_BTY ad.indd 59 12/08/2013 10:19

“ I always have my eye on the ball.”

AlanNHBC Building Control Surveyor and football coach

The trusted partner of The homebuilding indusTry

To find out more about the services we offer, visit www.nhbc.co.uk or call

0844 633 1000

It’s reassuring that people like Alan are

there at kick-off, working with your design

and technical teams and supporting you

in developing cost effective solutions to

comply with the Building Regulations.

As a football coach Alan knows the

value of teamwork to overcome the

challenges you face.

G268 08/13

MODUS_Sept13_P60_NHBC ad.indd 60 12/08/2013 10:20

rics modus, global edition - september 2013

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