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Property focus: What Do Property Surveyors Do?

Written by: RICS Recruit
Published on: 4 Nov 2015

A surveyor working in the property sector can be involved in a wide variety of tasks. Although many are involved in the valuation of people’s homes, this is only a small part of what property surveyors can do. Their work can include buying, selling and renting property, negotiating insurance claims and conducting negotiations between landlords and tenants, to name a few examples.

Beyond this; planners, developers, agents, mortgage lenders, professional advisors (such as valuers), private and institutional investors and property managers are just some of the key professional figures that allow the property market to operate smoothly. Residential property aside, one of the largest professional groups within RICS is commercial property.

Working with all types of property in the business sector from small shops to large corporates in both the public and private sectors there is a tremendous variety of activities for the commercial property surveyor. This can include everything from the purchase, sale and letting of commercial property to advising on corporate real estate and landlord and tenant issues. Commercial property surveyors also perform investment appraisal and performance measurement and help failing organisations avoid administration.

The property sector employs surveyors across a wide range of specialisms covering the following areas:

Agency: providing advice on the acquisition, development, letting or disposal of property.

Consultancy: advising clients on the best solutions for their property needs.

Dispute resolution: providing advice and representation in rent reviews, lease renewals and planning disputes.

Facilities management: managing issues relating to buildings, occupiers and services.

Investment: the acquisition and disposal of property that is bought as an investment.

Property management: the day-to-day management of property, managing clients’ portfolios, finding tenants, arranging repairs and collecting rent.

Property development: the redevelopment or refurbishment of existing buildings.

Valuation: assessing the value of property, land and business assets including arts and antiques.