NEWSbeat
LEGISLATION
Localism: RICS examine how it will work
RICS has set up an independent Commission to examine how communities can shape and
manage their neighbourhoods in light of localism and the Big Society, and would like to hear evidence from those with expertise in the field. The Land and Society
Commission, to be chaired by Trevor Beattie, will comprise people drawn from the urban and rural property sectors, communities, academia and local government. It will lead a four- month investigation on how communities can embrace their new land and property roles,. RICS would like to hear from those with experience in community action, the built environment and local government. The Commission’s final report,
to be published in April, will make recommendations to government, policy makers and land and property sector bodies as to how to help empower communities to shape neighbourhoods. Oral evidence sessions will take place in February and March. Those who would like to contribute are asked to visit the Land and Society
Commission section of the RICS website and submit their responses to a series of questions. Trevor Beattie, Land and Society
Commission Chairman, said, “Localism and the Big Society present a major opportunity for communities across the country to shape their future and to create valuable new local assets. The role of this new Commission is to investigate how best to provide communities with the knowledge and resources to make the most of their new
responsibilities.” Thomas Pienaar, RICS Head of Corporate Affairs,
said, “We would be extremely interested to hear from those with expertise in community action, the built environment and local government who feel they may be able to contribute. The final report will make recommendations to government, policy makers and land and property sector bodies.” Witness sessions will be held at RICS head office in London and will focus on five key areas, community asset acquisition and management, neighbourhood planning, community housing, capacity building and valuation. To register interest logon to:
www.rics.org/ landandsocietycommission.
PORTALS
1 million downloads for Rightmove iPhone app Rightmove has
Rightmove Commercial Director
announced the landmark achievement of reaching 1 million downloads for
its iPhone app. The app, launched in August
2009 has gone on to win major consumer prizes including the Revolution Magazine award for best use of mobile, and was featured in Apple’s TV advertising campaign for the iPhone.
6 FEBRUARY 2011 PROPERTYdrum
Miles Shipside said, “This is a huge milestone for us and shows what a major part mobile now plays in home-hunting. We are seeing new patterns of consumer behaviour within the property search process with people wanting to be able to search for properties wherever they may be, and through our iPhone app, iPad app and mobile website they now can.”
From an agency perspective, the Rightmove iPhone app delivers an average of over 1,000 property leads every day to its member agents and helps mobile devices to account for over 5 per cent of all pages viewed on Rightmove. Rightmove’s iPad app, launched
in May, also received a boost following the Christmas market and has now been downloaded over 1,000 times.
INTERNATIONAL AIPPS new arbitration scheme
The Association of International Property Professionals (AIPP) is
introducing a new independent arbitration scheme to its complaints procedure. It will help resolve difficult and lengthy complaints more swiftly and efficiently whilst keeping costs lower for complainants and defendants. “The new procedure greatly
strengthens the AIPP’s ability to resolve disagreements between our members and purchasers in the international market quickly and more efficiently,” says Prof Mark Sharp, CEO of the AIPP. “Many disputes can be
resolved informally, but a handful are more complex. From now on, these disputes will be heard by an independent organisation providing a swifter, more efficient and lower cost service for all parties.” From January 2011, the
more difficult cases which cannot be resolved informally, will be referred to the AIPP’s new scheme operated by IDRS Ltd, which will produce a legally binding decision awarding costs and compensation where relevant. The scheme is designed to deal with disputes for the sum of £30,000 or less between agent and developer members of the AIPP and their clients and is a far less expensive option than pursuing the matter via legal channels. Disputes over higher sums or
between AIPP members won’t be covered by the scheme, however will be referred to ‘ad hoc’ arbitration which is still a swifter, more cost-effective avenue of dispute resolution compared to cases heard in the courts. The new scheme is similar to that operated by organisations such as ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) and will help build confidence in the international property market and notably in buying from AIPP members. News of this procedure is heading up a new marketing campaign to consumers for 2011.
The AIPP has 300 members
and seeks to improve industry standards, encourage best practice and to educate consumers on how to buy overseas property safely. Prof Mark Sharp became CEO in April 2010 and has a strong professional record in UK and international property.
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