Handling gifts and hospitality within the surveying and valuation professions requires careful consideration as it can raise ethical concerns and potentially compromise professional judgment. The RICS provides clear guidelines for members to navigate these situations responsibly and uphold the highest ethical standards.
The RICS New Rules of Conduct, specifically Rule 1 - Members and firms must be honest, act with integrity and comply with their professional obligations, including obligations to RICS
Members must not accept any gift or hospitality that could:
Here's a general overview of what the RICS considers acceptable and unacceptable regarding gifts and hospitality:
Acceptable
Unacceptable
Violating RICS rules regarding gifts and hospitality can have serious consequences, including:
The question "What would you do if a client offered to take you to a football match as a hospitality gift?" requires careful consideration of the Rules of Conduct for members and potential conflicts of interest. Here's a breakdown of how to approach this scenario:
Acknowledge and Assess the Situation:
Evaluate the Gift:
Make a Clear Decision and Communicate: