The Property Consultants Society
Incorporated - 1954
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The principal object of the Society is to provide a central organisation for:
- Surveyors
- Architects
- Valuers
- Auctioneers
- Land & Estate Agents
- Master Builders and Construction Engineers
- Accountants
- Members of the Legal Profession who practice as consultants
with a view to ensuring for the community the existence of a body of Property Consultants, who can be relied upon to be trustworthy and duly qualified to perform their respective duties. The Society aims, within its resources, to offer every possible assistance, thus enabling Membersto undertake their practice of Property Consultancy, in a competent, legitimate and publicly acceptable way.
Although UK-based and placing a natural emphasis on domestic and EC business, it is keen to exchange views and co-operate with overseas organisations whose aims are compatible with those of The Society.
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MANAGEMENT
The Council is elected by all members, at a General Meeting. All members are eligible for nomination for election.
Council meetings are held at regular intervals, and all suggestions and proposals approved, will be duly implemented by the Secretary.
CLASSIFICATIONS OF MEMBERSHIP
- Student (S.P.C.S): whilst receiving training or studying towards appropriate examinations.
- Licentiate (L.P.C.S): immediately post training or qualification (prior to gaining appropriate work experience).
- Associate (A.P.C.S): appropriate training or qualifications and at least 2 years working experience in chosen or related field.
- Fellow (F.P.C.S): appropriate training or qualifications and at least 5 years experience working in chosen or related field.
NB. Appropriate qualifications are those provided by a recognised college, university,institution, or specialist provider within the chosen sphere of business. Appropriate training could be through the working environment.
Admission to the Society as Fellow or Associate by prospective members is gained by:
1. Satisfying the Society that they are experienced in their field by completing an application form and providing a C.V. which clarifies their training or qualification, and experience in their chosen specialist field.
2. Satisfying the Society that they are reliable members of the community by providing two referees.
Admission to the Society as Licentiate or Student is gained by:
1. Satisfying the Society that they have gained or are in the process of gaining relevant training or qualifications in their chosen specialist field.
2. Satisfying the Society that they are reliable members of the community by providing one referee (in the case of a student this could be a tutor on a related course of study.)
Prospective members are required to complete an application form, including 2 referees along with the provision of their C.V. Membership is granted at the discretion of the Society, and the Society has the right to refuse membership.
Enrolment costs for new applicants and re-applicants include the first year’s subscription, certificate and administration costs. Refunds of the initial year’s subscription will be made to those not elected to the Society.
By signing the application form, prospective members vouch for the truth of the details they have given and accept that the Society will use this information, references and C.Vs when deciding whether or not to grant membership.
The signature also means that the prospective member agrees to share details with other members electronically via secure webpage.
1. Upon election members receive a certificate and are required to display it publicly.
2. Once elected, members may use publicly the letters F.P.C.S., A.P.C.S., L.P.C.S, or S.P.C.S. depending upon their award, whilst acknowledging
membership is a personal award and not attached to a particular firm or business.
3. Members may use The Society crest on their own business stationery whilst acknowledging membership is a personal award and not attached to a particular firm or business.
4. A regularly updated list of members is available via the Society website, through which members are encouraged to network with each other.
5. The Secretary's office, as guided by the Council, will ensure that important current legislation is on file so that members can be kept up to date with changes that occur.
6. Members will be sent newsletters aimed at keeping them informed of Society-related matters. Contributions to newsletters from members are encouraged.
7. In accordance with the Articles of Association, an Annual General Meeting will be held in each calendar year and all members will be invited, with due notice, to that meeting and to any Extraordinary General Meetings which may be called.
8. Each member is entitled to be included in any comprehensive list of consultants submitted to a Government Department or other potential employer.
9. A regularly updated website is available for members use with the opportunity to provide business details which can be accessed by the public.
This code of conduct forms an integral part of the conditions of membership. It relates solely to the way in which the Society requires members to conduct their activities. The code must not be taken by clients, applicants or others as in any way affecting the legal relationship between themselves and the firm or member.
1. No member shall engage in any practice which is deemed by the Council to be inconsistent with the standards required of members of the Society
2. No member whilst acting as a consultant shall divulge to a third party, confidential information relevant to a client's affairs without the specific consent of the client.
3. Members who are principals shall be held responsible to the Council for the acts of their business partners and staff. In so far as they relate to conduct and matters within the scope of their practice.
4. Each member must make full and immediate disclosure of any conflict of interest arising from their involvement in a transaction. In such circumstances they should withdraw from the transaction unless the client, after taking advice, specifically requests that they continue.
5. No member shall exert undue pressure or influence on any person with the object to obtain business.
6. Members must behave lawfully, honestly and avoid issuing misleading information or statements. This applies to dealings with clients, potential clients or other professional representatives including fellow members.
7. No member shall engage in a practice considered by the Council to be unfair toward another member. Members in dispute must bring it to the notice of the Executive Council before engaging in litigation. In the event that the Council is asked to arbitrate, its considered decision is binding on all parties.
8. Members must be familiar with, and act strictly in accordance with the relevant laws of the country or countries in which they operate.
9. Every member shall keep personal and business trading finances separate from that of their clients.
10. When accepting instructions a member must notify the client in writing of the terms, conditions, charges and expenses.
The Council may at any time require a member to withdraw from the Society with immediate effect. In interpreting these very general powers, the following list includes the more obvious instances when such powers could be exercised:
- For contravention of the Society's Code of Conduct.
- Where a member is convicted by a Court of Law of a criminal offence.
- Where, as a principal, a member has been declared bankrupt or is otherwise judged to be insolvent.
- If the Council considers that a member's business actions have brought or threatened to bring the Society into disrepute.
- If a member is in arrears with annual subscriptions (either unpaid or underpaid)
- If a member does not provide us with up to date contact details and we lose contact.
In the event of termination of membership, the certificate must be returned. Designatory letters and the Society crest must be removed from stationery and any other material which could lead others to believe that they are still members of the Society. Appeals against membership termination may be made within twenty one days.
In these days of increasing, expensive litigation, the Council wishes to underline the need to give serious consideration to protection through indemnity insurance. The Council emphasises that it is the sole responsibility of the member (or his firm) when deciding whether or not to take out this insurance. The Society can in no way become involved in litigation resulting
from a member’s actions or omissions.
