RICS ethics quiz

You learn you will be subject to a criminal investigation. Though you are innocent, the investigation will soon be public knowledge. What should you do?

(one correct answer)

• Seek legal advice and speak to your employer and professional body about the situation.

• Ask your employer for a leave of absence.

• Do nothing until the legal proceedings have concluded.

• Go to press to state your innocence.

• Explain the situation fully and openly to your employer.

You represent a client in a property sale. Your client instructs you to ignore offers from a particular minority group. What is the BEST thing you can do?

(one correct answer)

• Refuse and withdraw from the work.

• Inform your client that this is potentially illegal and explain you are unable to take on the work if they intend to discriminate.

• Reject the offers as instructed.

• Note your concerns but continue as instructed.

• Withdraw and report the client to the police.

You spot that a fellow RICS member, who you know reasonably well, has posted offensive and abusive comments in response to an article published on an online forum used by local business people. What should you do in the first instance?

(one correct answer)

• Report the member to RICS.

• b. Approach the member and raise your concerns.

• Report the member to the local police.

• Go to the local press.

• Nothing, it is not your business to question the behaviour of other RICS members.

After receiving inside information about a competitor’s quote, you consider altering your terms to win a commission. You realise that you may be promising more than you can deliver but the commission would make lots of money for the company. What is the BEST thing to do here?

(one correct answer)

• Reveal to the potential clients that you have obtained knowledge of the competitor’s quote. Explain to them why your quote is fair and realistic, even though it may not be the lowest - they are paying for the quality of work.

• Withdraw: it is dishonourable to continue to take part in the negotiations when you hold inside information illicitly.

• Do everything that you can to gain the commission - you don’t know what you can achieve until you try.

• Alter your terms to secure the job, risking failure to deliver what was agreed and possibly damaging the reputation of your firm.

• Be comfortable that you originally quoted according to use of your professional time and expertise and if the client prefers the services you offer, he will accept your full fee and grant the commission.

You have a client who is also a personal friend. He invites you on holiday with his family. Which is the BEST response? (one correct answer)

• Refuse

• Accept with the proviso that you must pay your own share you need to clear it with your company first.

• Accept but advise him that he cannot remain as your client.

• Accept with the proviso that you must pay your own share, book the annual leave and advise your company of the situation at the same time.

• Accept with the proviso that you must pay your own share. Book leave but your company does not need to know who you are going with, that’s personal and outside of work.

You are acting as an agent in the sale of a property and your son would like to buy the house. What is the BEST thing to do? (one correct answer)

• Tell your son that he cannot buy the house as you are acting as the agent.

• Inform the seller that your son would like to buy the property, offer to stop representing the seller as agent and only continue to do so if they ask you to.

• Do nothing as it is your son, and not you, who wishes to buy the house and therefore there is no conflict.

• Tell the client that your firm can no longer act for them as your son would like to buy the property.

• Declare to your client that your son would like to buy the property and double check that you have their permission to proceed.

You discover a close friend represents a firm bidding for a contract your client is also bidding for. You mention this to your friend, who asks you to share your client’s costings with him. What is the BEST thing you can do?

(one correct answer)

• 1. Refuse to share any confidential information and raise concerns with your friend over his behaviour.

• Refuse to share any confidential information and proceed with the work only if your client is happy to, given the potential conflict of interest.

• Refuse to share any confidential information.

• Share the information.

• Share the information on the condition your friend does the same.

You are a facilities manager for a large office building. The building is approaching full capacity and you are under pressure to house more staff. You are concerned the building will be extremely close to its maximum limits. What is the BEST thing to do?

(one correct answer)

• 1. Raise your concerns and keep a detailed record of who you have spoken to.

• Accommodate the new staff unconditionally.

• Raise your concerns with those involved and mediate a responsible outcome to the problem.

• Accommodate the new staff, but note your concerns about the capacity level.

• Refuse to accommodate any new staff.

Your client approaches you with an unorthodox proposal which will minimise their tax obligations. Although it appears to be legal, you are not comfortable with the possible implications. What is the BEST thing you can do?

(one correct answer)

• Ask the client to reconsider the proposal as it amounts to tax avoidance could be viewed negatively.

• Consult a tax advisor for their advice.

• Explain your concerns with the proposal, but agree.

• Agree to the proposal.

• Refuse the work, stating your view on tax avoidance.

You discover a member of RICS is paying a trainee member of staff less than the minimum wage. What is the BEST thing you can do?

(one correct answer)

• Report the member to RICS.

• Report the member to the police.

• Contact the trainee directly and advise them to follow up the matter.

• Write to the member about your concerns.

• Contact the press.