The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

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Last Updated: 10/06/2026

3 min read

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors is the regulator for surveyors and can trace its history back to 1792 when the Surveyors Club was formed.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, or more popularly known as RICS, was created in 1868 in England and received a royal charter in 1881.

With this charter, members are more commonly known as chartered building surveyors. Members are recognised by the designation after their name - FRICS (for Fellow of RICS) , MRICS (for Member of RICS) or AssocRICS (Associate of RICS)

What RICS means

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors are a global property professional body which aims to:

Regulate and promote the profession
Maintain the highest educational and professional standards
Protect clients and consumers through a strict code of ethics
Provide impartial advice, analysis and guidance

What is key is that RICS want to promote a professional and affordable service. You aren't just offered one solution, they offer various solutions to property matters with the condition report, HomeBuyer Report and the Building Survey.

But which service best suits you? Call SAM Conveyancing on 0333 344 3234 to find out which survey is best for you. We'll provide a quote for free.

We have a panel of RICS regulated surveyors who provide Property Valuations, HomeBuyer Reports & Building Surveys.

16% of Homeowners Discover Defects

In our recent survey, 16% of homeowners found defects; including 2% who were able to pull out of a bad purchase, 7% who were able to negotiate a better price, and sadly, 7% of homeowners who did not get a survey and discovered defects after the purchase.

12 of the 39 who remembered how much these defects cost to remedy spent over £5,000

Don't burn your money, book a survey.

Get a quote

RICS Surveyors | Fixed Fees | Same week availability | Access arranged

RICS History

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors can trace its history right back to 1792 when the Surveyors Club was formed.

However, the foundations of the current modern organisation started to properly take shape when 20 surveyors met at the Westminster Palace Hotel.

Under the chairmanship of John Clutton, they appointed a sub-committee to draw up resolutions, bye-laws and regulations.;

This was done in order to establish a professional association to represent surveyors and the growing property profession.

This group, which had expanded to 49 members by 1868, met again at the Westminster Palace Hotel on 15 June 1868 to approve the resolutions and elect the first Council.

John Clutton was elected the first president of the Institution of Surveyors Offices were then leased at 12 Great George Street, which we are still used as their headquarters today.

RICS Surveyors and Valuers from SAM Conveyancing

What is the role of the RICS?

The requirement for such an organisation was driven by the rapid development and expansion of the industrialised world; as infrastructure, housing and transport links grew, so did the need for more stringent checks and balances.

For more than 140 years, members have worked to ensure that, whilst unlocking the inherent value held within the world's physical assets and developing its potential, we don't spoil the planet for future generations.

Even in parts of the world where the term 'chartered surveyor' means very little, the high standards of our members speak volumes.

They are viewed by major financial institutions and world governments as the 'gold standard' when it comes to professional regulation in the property sector.

All of SAM Conveyancing's surveyors are regulated by The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get RICS certified?

To become an associate you must have one of the following before you can take your associate qualification:

1 year of relevant experience and a relevant bachelor’s degree
2 years of relevant experience and a relevant higher/advanced/foundation qualification
4 years of relevant experience (no qualifications required).

The associate qualification assesses your knowledge against one of 13 different sector pathways.

To become a chartered member you must have one of the following before you can take your chartered qualification.

Relevant experience and an accredited degree
5 years of relevant experience and any bachelor’s degree
10 years of relevant experience operating at an advanced level by seniority, specialisation, or in academia.

The chartered qualification is usually done through the APC (Assessment of professional competence) and includes 12-24 months of structured training. Alternatively, there are other routes to qualify for Senior professionals, specialists and academics.

Find out more about how you can become a member

Who is a qualified member RICS?

All of SAM Conveyancing's surveyors and valuers are qualified members. Contact us to arrange the right type of survey(s) for your property, from a qualified member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Written by: Andrew Boast

Andrew Boast FMAAT is a qualified accountant, conveyancing specialist and author with over 25 years of experience in the UK property sector. Since beginning his career in 2000 within established SRA and CLC-regulated conveyancing solicitor firms, Andrew has overseen the legal journeys of more than 75,000 clients.

He is the self-published author of the first-time buyer guide: How to Buy a House Without Killing Anyone, and a frequent contributor to mainstream UK media on legislative updates, property law, first-time buyer guides, conveyancing best practices, and stamp duty changes. Andrew specialises in resolving complex title issues, property conflict disputes, and property tax options, streamlining the enquiry process to reduce transaction times and maintaining a client-friendly focus.

Reviewed by: Caragh Bailey

Amanda Ambler is a highly accomplished conveyancing specialist with over 15 years of dedicated experience across residential property law, legal compliance, and practice management. Having held senior roles, including Head of Legal Practice and Head of Conveyancing at established UK law firms, Amanda possesses a profound, hands-on understanding of the technical intricacies of the property market.

As the designated Legal Content Reviewer for SAM Conveyancing, Amanda ensures that every guide, legal update, and resource published meets the absolute highest standards of accuracy, regulatory compliance, and factual integrity. Her rigorous review process guarantees that complex property legislation and industry processes are communicated clearly, transparently, and safely for home buyers and sellers alike.

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