RICS

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors is a professional body some of whose members operate as estate agents and letting agents.

Members are expected to comply with regulations governing their conduct. These include provisions about the keeping of members' accounts, professional indemnity insurance, and general standards of behaviour. The RICS Rules of conduct and disciplinary rules can be downloaded from the RICS website.

RICS requires all members who are sole principals, partners or directors of firms that offer services to the public to have complaints handling procedures in place. If this is not the case, the matter should be reported to the RICS professional conduct team who will ensure your complaint is dealt with correctly (telephone 020 7695 1670).

RICS encourages members involved in residential estate agency to join the Voluntary Ombudsman for Estate Agents Scheme, although this is not a requirement and not all member firms belong.

It also supports the National Approved Letting Scheme for lettings and management agents - although again not all letting agent members belong - and the Tenancy Deposit Scheme for Regulated Agents (also supported by the National Association of Estate Agents and the Association of Residential Lettings Agents.

Chartered surveyors use the letters MRICS or FRICS meaning they are either members or fellows. The RICS logo also signifies membership. Whether or not somebody is a member of RICS can be checked by calling 0870 333 1600.