Sustainability Standards in 2026 Valuations: RICS Guidance for Energy Performance and Retrofit Assessments
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Building Safety Reforms 2026: How Surveyors Assess Compliance in High-Rise Residential Blocks
On 27 January 2026, the Building Safety Regulator transitioned to an independent executive body, marking the most significant shift in building safety oversight since the Grenfell Tower tragedy [7]. This transformation has fundamentally changed how chartered surveyors assess compliance in high-rise residential blocks, introducing rigorous new protocols that extend far beyond the original 18-metre threshold. […]
Party Wall Surveys for Build-to-Let Developments: Managing Risks in Institutional Landlord Projects
Build-to-let developers face a stark reality in 2026: despite weaker market conditions affecting single-family built-for-rent construction [1], institutional landlords continue scaling multi-unit portfolios where party wall disputes can derail entire projects. Party Wall Surveys for Build-to-Let Developments: Managing Risks in Institutional Landlord Projects has become essential infrastructure for professional landlords navigating the complex intersection of […]
Expert Witness Challenges in Building Safety Disputes: Preparing Evidence for 2026 Tribunal Cases
Courts have excluded engineers with 30 years of experience from testifying about components they never designed, worked with, or published on—a stark reminder that credentials alone cannot overcome the rigorous scrutiny of modern expert witness standards. As building safety disputes intensify in 2026, surveyors and technical experts face unprecedented challenges in preparing defensible evidence for […]
Renters’ Rights Act 2026 and Its Impact on Buy-to-Let Building Surveys: What Landlord Valuers Must Assess
From 1 May 2026, the UK rental market enters a new era. The Renters' Rights Act 2026 fundamentally transforms residential tenancy law, abolishing Section 21 no-fault evictions, mandating stricter property standards, and introducing unprecedented enforcement mechanisms. For building surveyors, chartered valuers, and property professionals, understanding the Renters' Rights Act 2026 and Its Impact on Buy-to-Let […]
RICS AI Responsible Use Standard: What Surveyors Need to Know About Complying with March 2026 Guidelines
The surveying profession stands at a technological crossroads in 2026. As artificial intelligence transforms how building surveyors assess properties, valuers determine market values, and expert witnesses prepare reports, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has introduced a landmark regulatory framework. The RICS AI Responsible Use Standard, which took effect in March 2026, establishes mandatory […]
Awaab’s Law Expansion in 2026: Building Surveyors’ Role in Assessing New Hazard Categories for Social Housing
The tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak from prolonged exposure to mould in his family's social housing flat shocked the nation and sparked a fundamental shift in how England regulates housing safety. Now, as 2026 unfolds, the legislation bearing his name enters its most ambitious phase yet. Awaab's Law Expansion in 2026: Building Surveyors' Role […]
Whole Life Carbon Assessment for Built Environment: RICS 2nd Edition Standard and Surveyor Integration in 2026
The construction industry stands at a pivotal moment in 2026. Buildings and infrastructure account for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, yet many property professionals still assess structures without considering their full environmental impact. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has responded to this challenge with its updated Whole Life Carbon Assessment standard—a framework […]
Data Centre Valuations and Building Surveys: Capturing the AI Infrastructure Boom in 2026
The artificial intelligence revolution is reshaping the global property landscape in ways few predicted. As 2026 unfolds, data centres have become the most sought-after infrastructure assets in commercial real estate, with hyperscalers pouring nearly $750 billion into new facilities this year alone.[2] For chartered surveyors and valuation professionals, understanding Data Centre Valuations and Building Surveys: […]
Valuation Strategies for Yorkshire’s 28.8% Property Growth Forecast to 2030: Chartered Surveyor Techniques in the Northern Powerhouse
Yorkshire's property market stands at a pivotal moment in 2026. While London faces modest 13.6% growth projections through 2030, Yorkshire and The Humber is forecast to achieve 28.8% cumulative house price growth—more than double the capital's performance.[5] This dramatic shift positions the Northern Powerhouse as the UK's premier growth region, demanding sophisticated valuation strategies from […]