Building value from knowledge

The RICS Residential property standards (the 'Blue Book') is the definitive set of standards for all agents involved with sales, lettings and management of residential property. The standards have the same status as an RICS guidance note and follow the workflow of an estate agent to set out mandatory requirements and recommended best practice guidelines.

This 5th edition of the Blue Book (published October 2011) is based around the principles of the Property Standards Board Consumer Charter for Residential Property Transactions. Part 1 explains the principles underpinning the Charter and Part II provides guidance to assist estate agents in complying with the principles in all aspects of their work.

These standards provide a summary of the relevant legislation which is expressed in terms applying to England and Wales. As a result, there are some generalisations. Those who require greater detail and/or terminology relevant to Scotland will need to refer to the Estate Agents Act 1979, the Property misdescriptions Act 1991 and the Regulations and Orders themselves.

The Blue Book is reviewed throughout the year and interim updates published online.

Blue Book March 2010 amendment

01 March 2010

In this update, the 'Blue Book Code of Conduct for Estate Agents dealing with Residential Property' (the 'Blue Book code') has been replaced with the new 'Property Standards Board Consumer Charter...

Blue Book archive

01 March 2010

Full version of the Blue Book incorporating the November 2009 interim update. The Blue Book standards came into effect on 1 August 2009...