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24 October 2026
A House May Be Sound Today, But Will It Cope With Tomorrow's Climate?
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Andrew McColl - Chairman
RPSA Chairman Andrew McColl reflects on the People's Emergency Briefing at the Victoria and Albert Museum and asks whether residential property surveying needs to rethink how we assess Britain's existing housing...
14 October 2026
People are moving less: what does it mean for surveyors?
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Andrew McColl - Chairman
A recent Property Soup article reports calls from David Jabbari, Chief Executive of Nova Conveyancing, for the Government to prioritise homebuying reform rather than make further changes to property taxation.His wider...
11 October 2026
Complaint Handling Websites - Are you ready?
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Andrew McColl - Chairman
AI works both ways: is your surveying business ready?Consumers now have the same clever tools we do. That is not a threat, but it is a very good reason to check that your own house is in order.I came across it quite by...
25 September 2026
Smart Data, seller surveys and a thousand pairs of eyes
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Andrew McColl - Chairman
On 22 September I found myself at Hutong, thirty-three floors up The Shard, at a private roundtable dinner hosted by Ctrl-Shift, the people behind the Smart Data Forum. Around the table were senior figures from...
14 September 2026
Survey of Surveyors ’26 – results summary
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Alan Milstein, Chairman - Former Chairman
The Survey of Surveyors, carried out in summer 2026, was circulated to more than 1,000 residential surveyors and promoted on targeted social media, with an estimated response rate of 25 to 30%.And while the survey was...
18 August 2026
The Negotiator Awards 2026' - Surveyor of the Year
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Andrew McColl - Chairman
Surveyor of the Year 2026: entries close 6 SeptemberEntries for The Negotiator Awards' two surveying categories close at midnight on 6 September 2026. Free to enter, open right across the residential surveying...
15 July 2026
Reform on every front: how the RPSA is representing residential surveyors
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Andrew McColl - Chairman
Andrew McColl - ChairmanMembers could be forgiven for feeling that change across the property and built environment sectors is coming from every direction at once.In the space of only a few weeks, the government has set...
15 July 2026
Invasive bamboo is a growing threat to property transactions
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Emily Grant
Bamboo growing into a living room.As awareness of the problems caused by bamboo grows, it’s being flagged up more frequently during property transactions. Emily Grant, Director of invasive plant specialist Environet...
16 June 2026
Propertymark Conference - June 2026
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Andrew McColl - Chairman
Propertymark One 2026: a day on the main stage, from an RPSA seatOn Friday 12 June, ExCeL London threw open its doors for Propertymark One 2026, and I was lucky enough to be there alongside my RPSA council colleague...
22 May 2026
Surveyor Live 26: A Community Event That Proved the Profession Wants to Come Together
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Andrew McColl - Chairman
Surveyor Live 26 was created with a simple idea at its heart: bring the residential surveying community together in a practical, open and genuinely useful way.Not as another formal conference. Not as a closed membership...
12 March 2026
The Single Construction Regulator
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Andrew McColl - Chairman
The Future of Residential Surveying: A Defining Moment for Our ProfessionA 15-minute read - So put the kettle on first.If you work in residential surveying, this moment matters to you, whether you realise it yet or not. I know...
20 January 2026
Speed, Certainty, and the Surveyor’s Role in a Transformed Market
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Andrew McColl - Chairman
The Crossroads of 2026: Speed, Certainty, and the Surveyor’s Role in a Transformed MarketIf you had walked into any surveying event or forum in early 2024 and started talking about Artificial Intelligence, you might have been met...
24 December 2025
Damp and Mould in Survey Reports - An Essential Read
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Kieran McColl
Damp and mould in survey reports: Why “mentioning it” is no longer enoughMost survey failures do not arise because a defect was missed entirely. They arise because something was seen, but not properly explained.Damp and mould are...
24 December 2025
Government Consultation - A Suggested Response
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Andrew McColl - Chairman
Residential property surveyors association (RPSA) Response to “home buying and selling reform” consultation december 2025This is an example of how to answer the full consultation, but we appreciate that individual views may...
5 December 2025
Knotweed - Guest Blog from Emily Grant.
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Emily Grant
Invasive Plants: Data, Diagnosis and “Priceless” Member BenefitsIntroduction (by Andrew McColl):Back in March, we highlighted the rising threat of Bamboo in our newsletter ("Is Bamboo the New Knotweed?"). At the time, we...
1 December 2025
Free CPD - One for the Radar.
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Andrew McColl - Chairman
A Goldmine of Free CPD: Why Elemental London & the NHIC Knowledge Hub Should Be on Your RadarApologies for the slight delay in sharing this write-up. It’s been a very busy few weeks across the Association, but I didn’t want this...
27 November 2025
Autumn Budget 2025 – What It Actually Means for Residential Surveyors
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Andrew McColl - Chairman
A Straightforward Analysis from a Fellow Taxpayer.Like most of you, I watched the Budget waiting for the bits that hit us hardest.Here’s the plain-English version – no spin, no 154-page jargon – just the changes that will affect...
17 November 2025
Home Buying & Selling Reform - Don't Ignore It
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Andrew McColl - Chairman
Home buying & selling reform – why this consultation should seriously concern every independent surveyorThe Government has released its consultation on Home Buying and Selling Reform. After a thorough review of all 28...
12 September 2025
RPSA at the CABE Centenary Celebration
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Andrew McColl - Chairman
On 12 September, I had the pleasure of joining my fellow Council member, Malcolm Hordern, at the Chartered Association of Building Engineers’ (CABE) 100th birthday celebrations at Stanbrook Abbey in Worcester. The heavens did...
21 August 2025
New Kid on the Block - The "Insight" Survey
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Andrew McColl - Chairman
New Survey Debut - Hats Off to Such a Game-Changing Initiative.Seller’s surveys: A fresh tool for a stalled marketAs Chairman of the RPSA, I’m always on the lookout for new initiatives that can genuinely help our profession...
30 July 2025
You’re All Going to Die (but Your Family Doesn’t Have to Suffer): Why Wills Are Essential for Surveyors—and Everyone Else
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Andrew McColl - Chairman
I know what you’re thinking Andrew’s lost the plot, going on about Wills. Isn’t this what we ignore until retirement? Trust me, even if you’re not quite at the ‘cruises and croquet’ stage, this is the most essential admin you’ll...
8 July 2025
Franchise Spotlight: A Closer Look at Property Inspections Franchise Ltd
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Andrew McColl - Chairman
A Practical Route into Self-Employment for SurveyorsDeclaring a potential interest and fostering community growthBefore you delve into the details of this blog post, I believe it's essential to declare a potential interest...
3 July 2025
Condensation, Mould & Teenage Vampires: A Surveyor’s Guide to Risk and Responsibility
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Andrew McColl - Chairman
As building surveyors, we encounter issues with dampness, mould, and condensation on a daily basis. But how often do we pause to think about what's causing it, what’s changed in recent legislation, and just how much our advice...
2 July 2025
Elevating Safety: Essential Work at Height Guidance for Residential Surveyors
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Andrew McColl - Chairman
Navigating real-world risks and legal duties during property inspectionsIntroduction: Why height safety matters in residential surveyingResidential property surveying inherently involves tasks that necessitate working at height...
1 July 2025
Unlock Your Potential: 10% Off All SAVA Training for RPSA Members
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Andrew McColl - Chairman
Your Edge in a Dynamic IndustryReady to take your surveying career to the next level? In an industry where expertise sets you apart, the RPSA is committed to helping you stay ahead. That’s why we’re excited to offer an exclusive...
27 June 2025
It All Started With a Phone Call: Navigating Surveyor Liability in a Connected World.
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Andrew McColl - Chairman
I. Introduction: The unseen risks of a simple conversationA seemingly innocuous phone call, a brief email exchange, or even an informal chat can, in the complex world of property surveying, inadvertently open the door to...
1 June 2025
Lights, Camera, Action: A Day at Black Cherry Studio – And Why Surveyors Should Embrace the Digital Age
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Andrew McColl - Chairman
Let’s be honest: most surveyors didn’t get into this line of work because we dreamed of being on camera. Many of us are far more comfortable behind a damp meter than in front of a lens. Personally, I’ve always said I’ve got a...
1 June 2025
Significant EPC Changes Ahead: How Surveyors Can Prepare for RdSAP 10
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Andrew McColl - Chairman
Just when we thought EPCs had settled down, they're changing again—but this time, the updates are substantial. As you are aware, EPCs have been part of the property landscape since 2008, but they haven't had the best reputation...
31 May 2025
RPSA Chairman Andrew McColl With PCA CEO Sarah Garry
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Andrew McColl - Chairman
A collaborative conversation: RPSA chairman Andrew McColl with PCA CEO Sarah GarryWe recently sat down with Sarah Garry, CEO of the Property Care Association (PCA), for an insightful discussion on her journey, the PCA's strategic...
18 May 2025
A Pathway of Recognition for Residential Surveyors
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Andrew McColl - Chairman
Hello everyone,We recently hosted a significant webinar with the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) to introduce their new Residential Surveying Section (RSS). This initiative represents a fantastic opportunity...
16 May 2025
Why No Residential Surveyor Can Afford to Ignore It
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Andrew McColl - Chairman
By Andrew McColl, chairman, residential property surveyors association (RPSA)At a recent Property Institute event, many of us were struck by a key message from Sandra Ashcroft, Head of Industry Competence and Culture Change...
12 May 2025
What the Law Society's Note Means for RPSA Members
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Andrew McColl - Chairman
Surveying in a Changing Climate: What the Law Society's Note Means for RPSA MembersA friendly heads-up: Why this article matters to youHello fellow RPSA members! We've put this article together because, as you know, the world...
12 August 2024
Property and Surveying Industry Update
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Alan Milstein, Chairman - Former Chairman
Read all the latest surveying industry news in just 3 minutes right HERE
30 November 2023
Why Material Information Is Important for Surveyors
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Alan Milstein, Chairman - Former Chairman
3 Minute ReadWhy material information is important for surveyorsOn 30th November 2023, the snappily titled National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team (NTSELAT) made their long-awaiting (and delayed) announcement...
10 February 2023
Why Good PII Matters
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Alan Milstein, Chairman - Former Chairman
Every member of the RPSA endeavours to deliver a high quality and consistently reliable service to their client on every occasion.But, as in any walk of life, despite our utmost efforts, sometimes, something goes wrong. And that...
22 November 2022
Benefits of Being an RPSA Member
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Alan Milstein, Chairman - Former Chairman
Being a member of the RPSA is not just about being part of a professional association that stands for the highest standards in our industry.As a valued member of the RPSA we can offer a range of benefits to support you in your...
31 December 2021
Review of 2021 and Looking Ahead to 2022
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Alan Milstein, Chairman - Former Chairman
WAYTW!What a year that was! Want to find out more? Spend just 5 minutes to read about all we've done.What we have achieved at the RPSA over the last 12 months is nothing short of astounding. But it has let us set in place the...
17 December 2021
Oh! What a Day It Was! RPSA Conference 2021
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Alan Milstein, Chairman - Former Chairman
If you didn't make it to the 2021 RPSA Conference, "Reach for the Stars" held at the National Space Centre in Leicester, what a day you missed.The biggest, boldest and most exciting event in the history of the RPSA, delegates...
10 November 2021
Why the RPSA Launched New Snagging Standards
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Alan Milstein, Chairman - Former Chairman
Many RPSA surveyors have, from time to time, been asked to carry out snagging surveys on new build property. Often, though, when they have tried to book in for the inspection they have been refused access to the site by the...
