Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is an independent, representative professional body which regulates property professionals and surveyors in the United Kingdom and other sovereign nations.

RICS provides education and training standards, protects consumers with strict codes of practice and advises governments and business.

The motto of RICS is "Est modus in rebus" (which translates into English as: "There is measure in all things").

History

The institution was founded in London as the "Institution of Surveyors" after a meeting of 49 surveyors at the Westminster Palace Hotel on 15 June 1868. The inaugural chairman was John Clutton (who founded Clutton's estate agency, still one of the largest estate agents in the UK). It has occupied headquarters on the corner of Great George Street and Parliament Square since then. The institution received its Royal Charter in 1881 and in 1921 was granted Royal Patronage by George V.

The Institution of Surveyors became the "Institution of Chartered Surveyors" in 1930. In 1946 the institution became a royal institution entitled to add "Royal" to its name and, thereby, achieved its present name.

Global spread

RICS is headquartered in London with 14 regional offices in the United Kingdom.

In 2009, RICS was represented or had affiliates in more than 146 countries and had a worldwide membership of more than 159,000. The majority of members are still based in the United......
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