We’re delighted to bring you the second official edition of the RPSA newsletter. Thank you for the overwhelmingly positive feedback on our first! It’s clear that our members value updates, support, and fresh thinking—and this edition delivers all three.
Since our last issue, we’ve expanded the Council, launched new partnerships, and made real progress on the future of professional recognition for surveyors. This includes a ground-breaking pathway to Chartered status with CABE, practical new resources in your Member Portal, and fresh CPD opportunities.
A standout success has been the launch of our Verify a Surveyor feature. This live, photo ID tool has received glowing feedback, especially from members using it to confirm site access and demonstrate credibility. If you haven’t set yours up yet, just log into the Members Area, add your photo and bio, and you’re good to go.
We’re also proud to now have solid representation in Northern Ireland through new Council Member Stephen McCarron, and to be working more closely with the Property Care Association and other industry allies. As always, the RPSA remains independent and member-led. Your involvement shapes everything we do—and we thank you for being part of our growing community.
Andrew McColl, Chair of the RPSA Council
The Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA) and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) are excited to unveil a major development in the professional landscape for residential surveyors.
This summer, CABE will officially launch its new Residential Surveyor Section (RSS), an initiative developed in close collaboration with RPSA and Sava. This landmark pathway is designed to provide a credible, structured route for residential surveyors to achieve Chartered Status through CABE.
The RSS represents a significant step forward in the professionalisation of residential surveying. Built around robust competence standards and qualifications, it offers a route for experienced professionals to be assessed and validated, ensuring clients—whether homeowners, landlords, or commercial partners—can appoint surveyors with confidence.
This initiative is not a merger, but a strategic alliance. RPSA remains wholly committed to championing independent surveyors and has played an integral role in shaping the RSS, with representation on the dedicated CABE steering group.
Stay Informed – Register Your Interest Now
Please note: By registering, you consent to your information being shared with CABE for the purposes of ongoing communication regarding this initiative.
To explain the details of the RSS and answer your questions, RPSA and CABE will co-host a joint webinar this May. The date will be announced shortly, and all members who have registered their interest will receive an invitation.
This is a unique opportunity to gain early insight into the application process, understand assessment expectations, and connect with the teams behind this transformative programme.
It’s been just over a year since former RPSA Chairman Alan Milstein lost his beloved sister to heart disease—a sudden and devastating event that has since inspired him to take action. In her memory, Alan has been tireless in his efforts to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation (BHF), supporting vital research that could help prevent other families from experiencing similar heartbreak.
Heart disease remains one of the UK’s biggest killers, claiming a life every three minutes. Alan’s mission is simple but powerful: raise awareness, raise funds, and help save lives.
Over the past year, he’s laced up his running shoes for several major events:
The Great North Run Half Marathon – 2 hours 9 minutes
The Great South Run – completed his own 10-mile version after the official event was cancelled due to a storm.
The Florence Marathon – 4 hours 26 minutes
Now, Alan is preparing for his biggest challenge yet: The London Marathon on April 27th.
Alan has tirelessly supported RPSA members; now he needs your support.
Every donation—no matter how small—goes directly to the BHF, funding life-saving research and support services. If you can, please show your support and donate by clicking the link below or scanning the QR code.
The Residential Property Surveyors Association is delighted to welcome Stephen McCarron MRICS MRSPA PPNAEA MIPAV REV to the RPSA Council.
Stephen brings over 30 years of expertise in Estate Agency, Surveying, and Valuation, and is a Chartered Member of both CABE and RICS. His distinguished career includes serving as President of NAEA Propertymark in 2022 and he continues to shape the future of the profession through his board role at Propertymark.
With a particular interest in Building Pathology, Stephen’s depth of knowledge enhances our collective understanding of proper
ty condition and structural performance. His appointment to the RPSA Council not only strengthens our voice in the industry but also marks an essential step in extending our representation to Northern Ireland – a region of increasing importance to our members and the residential surveying sector.
Stephen is keen to connect with fellow members and contribute to the growing influence of the RPSA. He can be contacted directly at stephen@rpsa.org.uk.
Please join us in welcoming Stephen to the Council – we look forward to his insight and expertise as we continue to raise standards across the profession.
Sean Curtin is the newest member of the RPSA Council, but he has been assisting Surveyors for a number of years in resolving complaints and preventing claims. The success rate overall is an impressive 95%. The Complaints Resolution Service is one we will be rolling out to the wider membership in the coming weeks. Here we share Sean's top tips for complaint resolution. All our members have access to the Property Ombudsman, and Sean has worked with them to develop a robust complaint-handling process.
"It is a great honour to serve on the RPSA council. I hope I can offer a lot of energy and ideas as we continue to power forward, building on past RPSA successes. I qualified as a residential building surveyor in 2007 and have witnessed some amazing changes in the field over the past 18 years. The RPSA has been at the cutting edge of this positive shift, changing the way people look at our industry. I’ve spent the past five years looking at customer complaints and how we can best support surveyors during what is normally a stressful time. I hope to be able to use this knowledge to imp
rove the way we support surveyors and deal with the more challenging part of customer care. Outside of surveying, I have a passion for running and walking as well as weekend volunteering at the homeless charity, The Connection, for the past 10 years. From 1980 to 1984, I was in the Parachute Regime with a one-year attachment to the Royal Engineers, where my fascination with buildings and structures began. I picked up several languages while in the army, speaking fluent Japanese, Chinese, German and Swedish. This enabled me to live and work in those four countries, spending 11 years in Japan. This has given me a great global perspective in an increasingly international world."
You can contact Sean at Sean@RPSA.org.uk
Kelly is the Director of NBIS (New Build Independent Snagging) | A Chartered Building Consultancy Championing Excellence in the Snagging Sector
We are delighted to welcome Kelly Skidmore to the RPSA community and proudly announce his appointment as Chair of the Snagging Sector Working Group (SSWG). With over 40 years in the construction industry, including 14 years as a Building Inspector at NHBC, Kelly brings unparalleled expertise and a strong reputation for upholding quality standards across the sector.
As a Chartered Builder and a respected member of RICS and the RPSA, Kelly consistently demonstrates exceptional professionalism, integrity, and meticulous attention to detail. His passion for the construction industry is evident through his unwavering dedication to ensuring that every homeowner receives a property that meets or exceeds the rigorous standards established by the New Homes Quality Board (NHQB).
In his role, Kelly actively seeks RPSA members who share his passion and commitment to excellence and invites them to join the Snagging Sector Working Group. He has also played a pivotal role in driving the development of the Verify a Surveyor function, a solution that enhances trust and transparency through professional identification with photos. This initiative is gaining traction with both the NHQB and developers, positioning snagging surveys as a mainstream industry norm. By increasing recognition and accountability, it has the potential to unlock significant workstreams and new opportunities for our members, ensuring snagging inspections become an essential part of the new-build process.
Kelly is an active participant in the NHQB Stakeholder Group, contributing regularly to strategic meetings focused on enhancing industry standards. By working closely with industry leaders and partners, he is uniquely positioned to advocate for significant improvements.
As Director of NBIS, Kelly remains committed to delivering professional snagging inspections and championing initiatives that elevate construction standards and improve customer satisfaction. His extensive knowledge, combined with his approachable and transparent style, ensures that quality remains the cornerstone of every new-build project.
We look forwar
d to Kelly’s valuable contributions and industry-leading insights as he continues to shape the future of quality standards in the snagging sector, ensuring excellence in every new home.
If you want to know more about new build snagging or would like to be more involved at the industry level, then you may be interested in attending one of our Steering Group meetings.
Contact Kelly at Kelly@RPSA.org.
I'm pleased to announce that I have been appointed to lead the RPSA Council! It is an honour to follow in the footsteps of the outstanding leadership that has brought this organisation to where it is today, and I look forward to building on that success in the years ahead.
As a founding member and a dedicated advocate for independent and small practice surveyors for the past 14 years, I am incredibly proud of how far we’ve come. What started as a small group has grown into a thriving organisation, and that is down to the dedication and hard work of so many. I want to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation for all that has been achieved so far.
Looking ahead, we’re broadening the council with talented individuals who bring valuable skills and experience. I’m pleased to welcome Sean Curtin and Kelly Skidmore to the team. Sean has worked tirelessly to support RPSA members facing claims and complaints, and we aim to expand this into a broader service. As chair of our steering group for the new-build snagging industry, Kelly has been instrumental in shaping this critical area, and we’re delighted to have him on the main board.
We recognise that communication can always be improved, and we are committed to greater transparency in everything we do. Amanda Ducas has stepped up to a three-day-a-week role, playing a key part in our CABE negotiations and ensuring strong compliance and governance.
In addition to this, Amanda has also taken the lead in exploring and delivering new member benefits, ensuring that we provide real value to our members. We’ve already made great progress in this area, and we’re excited about what’s to come! We know there’s always more we can do, and we’re dedicated to keeping members informed, engaged, and supported every step of the way.
We understand that many of you are keen for an update on our discussions with CABE. While progress has taken longer than we hoped, we are now close to finalising a joint proposal.
One thing remains absolutely certain—the RPSA will stay independent and continue to be a strong voice for surveyors.
We’re excited to announce new member benefits—and this is just the beginning! We are committed to continuously finding ways to add value and support our members. Full details of the latest benefits can be found in this newsletter, and we hope you find them useful.
One of our key ambitions is to provide as much of your CPD requirements as possible—either free or at a significantly discounted rate for RPSA members. We believe that access to high-quality professional development should be both affordable and accessible.
In addition, we will soon be announcing a series of webinars covering essential industry topics, giving members valuable insights and learning opportunities. We have already begun discussions with the PCA (Property Care Association) on potential joint ventures, ensuring we continue bringing relevant and practical resources to our members.
Our vision is to see the RPSA grow into an even stronger organisation with a dedicated, full-time team to drive progress. We will be reviewing our structure and staffing levels over the next few months and welcome new council applicants who can contribute fresh ideas and expertise. If you’re passionate about supporting independent surveyors and want to get involved, we’d love to hear from you!
I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved so far, and I know there is so much more we can do together. Thank you for your continued support.
Andrew McColl
Chairman, RPSA Council
Welcome to the Spring 2025 edition of the RPSA Newsletter! We’re excited to share the latest updates and initiatives designed to support and empower independent surveyors. This edition introduces the new RPSA Council leadership and welcomes new members who bring fresh energy and expertise to the team.
We’ve made significant strides in the new-build snagging sector, where independent surveyors are becoming increasingly recognised for their value. We also feature practical advice on improving claims resolution, helping you handle challenges confidently and professionally.
Our growing partnerships are delivering real benefits, including free tax planning sessions and enhanced support with invasive plant issues. The new “Verify a Surveyor” feature fills a real need for the snagging industry—particularly for securing site access and meeting the increasing demand from some estate agents for photo ID.
Thank you for being part of the RPSA community—your involvement drives our success and shapes the future of our profession.
What’s Inside This Issue:
✅ New Build Snagging – Why it matters more than ever
✅ Member Benefits – Free tax planning, new partnerships and more
✅ Member Benefits – Free plant analysis (non-native invasive species)
✅ Meet the Council – New faces and fresh ideas
✅ Complaints Resolution – Handling issues like a pro
✅ Verify a Surveyor – New feature with a photographic profile
If you have not received a copy, please email info@rpsa.org.uk and we will be happy to forward one to you.
At their Surveyor Open Day in Swindon last week, the Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA) announced that they have selected
As part of our commitment to delivering better advice to consumers when they need it most, the RPSA have launched new Technical and Affiliate membership grades for those individuals and firms who want to demonstrate that they work to the highest professional standards.
For the first time, snagging, inventory, energy assessment, dilapidations, insurance adjusters, timber and damp and other practitioners can be part of a single "trust mark" of quality for all residential surveying professionals.
Join Alan Milstein, RPSA Chairman in this (45 minute-ish) video explaining how this new membership programme will benefit surveyors, surveying firms and, most important of all, consumers.
Check out the video HERE
ONE VOICE - ONE BADGE - ONE CLEAR TRUST MARK FOR CONSUMERS
2nd March 2022
The RPSA have today announced a major expansion of its membership programme to create the biggest and most comprehensive residential surveying community in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
From 28th March 2022, the Residential Property Surveyors Association will welcome applications for its new Technical and Affiliate levels from individuals and firms meeting the criteria for membership.
Technical membership is open to those with level 3 "non-investigative" qualifications, while Affiliate membership is for firms with more than 50% of relevant active surveyor members of the RPSA. Read the new membership details HERE
This new membership programme sets the course for the RPSA to become the leading professional association for ALL residential specialists whether they offer pre-purchase surveys, snagging inspections, energy assessments, inventories, timber and damp reports, schedules of dilapidations, insurance assessments etc.
Consumers will have a clear signpost to the very best practitioners who adopt the professionalism, conduct and quality of the association that sets the standards in the residential sector.
Surveyors will have the strongest representation at national and Government levels, ensuring that they speak with one clear voice to champion quality and recognition of their skills and services.
Read more about the new membership levels and our FAQ's HERE
