Document downloads - Property Redress Scheme guide to sales
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Service charge residential management code
Published 17 March 2026
Effective from 7 April 2026
The RICS Service Charge Residential Management Code 4th edition was approved by the Secretary of State under section 87(7) of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993. It applies only to residential leasehold properties in England, but practitioners operating in other parts of the UK are encouraged to follow the best practice guidelines contained in the code.
This code is written to promote desirable practices in respect of the management of residential leasehold property, with the latest edition of the code reflecting recent developments in legislation, such as the Building Safety Act (2022) and the Fire Safety Act (2021), and good practice. Effective property management requires cooperation and a shared understanding of procedures and potential problems.
The code is intended for RICS members and regulated firms acting as landlords, social housing landlords, leaseholders, managing agents, managers and occupiers of leasehold property. Additionally, parts are specifically intended for other parties such as property owners and professional advisers.
The code aims to:
- improve general standards and promote best practice, consistency, reasonableness and transparency in the management and administration of long leasehold residential property
- ensure the timely issue of all documentation including budgets and year end accounts
- reduce the causes of disputes and to give guidance to resolving disputes where these do occur. -
Real estate agency and brokerage (ARCHIVED)
Published September 2016
Effective from September 2016
Archived 30 January 2025
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
This professional statement applies to all RICS members involved with the sale, letting, leasing and management of real estate, whatever the form of tenure by which it is held or occupied.
It outlines the principles that shape the culture of fairness and transparency that underpin all activities undertaken by real estate agents within whichever country they practice. Topics covered include:
- Ethics
- Securing instructions
- Acting for the seller: marketing the property
- Acting for the seller: agreeing the sale or lease
- Acting for the buyer
- Ending the instruction
- Safety and security
- Agency management -
UK residential real estate agency
Published September 2017
Effective from 11 September 2017
With the increased focus on the need for ethical practice and transparency in the residential property market this RICS professional statement sets out clearly the responsibilities of residential property agents to ensure they are working to the highest ethical and professional standards.
The 5th edition of the Blue Book, UK Residential Property Standards, has been archived as it has been superseded by the 6th edition. -
Real estate management (ARCHIVED)
Published November 2016
Effective from 1 November 2016
Archived 30 January 2025
This document has been archived and is available on isurv for information purposes only.
This professional statement applies to the management of both commercial and residential real estate.
It outlines the principles that shape the culture of fairness and transparency that underpin all activities undertaken by real estate managers within whichever country they practice, and applies to all RICS members involved with the sale, letting, leasing and management of real estate, whatever the form of tenure by which it is held or occupied.