Whilst I was writing the RICS Moisture Methodology, now known as the 'Joint Position Statement' with a big fraudulent PCA logo on the front page, I worked with Craig Ross.
He's supposed to be a 'big boy' in RICS. He's an MRICS. Apparently he's been promoted to some 'Secret Security' job in the middle east for them. This is an email I wrote about the PCA involvement in the Moisture Methodology: A client wrote a letter of complaint to him about PCA involvement in his building survey - its referred to here. He brushed it off and referred it to their 'complaints team' who are about as useful as a chocolate teapot.
This is typical of the way RICS treats the public. Brush them off to a 'complaints team' who couldnt give a monkeys fart, and close ranks, spouting their 'professional ethics' - despite the total failure of all of their ethics and professional standards:
Subject: RE: Listed building concerns - recommendations by RICS surveyors to commit criminal action.
Craig:
Hope you have survived the bug so far..
I am beyond frustrated at the lack of action on this issue, and it seems that the RICS complaints process is simply a brick wall put up to protect their status quo. I am getting more and more cases of what is clearly unprofessional activity by RICS valuation surveyors, who are STILL recommending PCA timber and damp reports – which go on to propose criminal damage to listed buildings. By extrapolation these RICS Chartered Surveyors are complicit in recommending criminal damage to Listed Buildings. Clearly the RICS is doing nothing about this – and referring people to a complaints process is not good enough. The complaints process is deliberately twisted, complex, time consuming, and clearly not fit for purpose – other complaints made about this subject have just disappeared into a black hole and not been responded to. I have made numerous complaints – not one single one has ever been even acknowledged. You have responded to this letter of complaint simply by stating there is a complaints process – that’s not exactly helpful is it – clearly you, and the RICS don’t even WANT to initiate complaints – why?
You, and the rest of the management team at the RICS, together with UK finance – are well aware of this criminal activity going on – which YOU are supporting by allowing YOUR surveyors to continue to recommend PCA damp reports. We have worked long and hard to come up with an answer to this, which is just not being utilised. RICS have failed miserably to do ANYTHING with the moisture methodology. I’m sorry, but the public see this refusal to do anything as an organisation that is not fit for purpose.
From now on, I have no option but to publicise EVERY case – to name EVERY corrupt RICS surveyor who DARES to recommend a criminal organisation. I now have a growing number of Councils supporting me – Conservation Officers all over the country have had enough. We had THREE cases of RICS Chartered Surveyors recommending PCA criminals in one county alone – JUST LAST WEEK. All of those recommendations would have resulted in criminal damage to Listed Buildings if we had not intervened. The RICS is responsible for this – directly. What the hell do they think they are doing?
What are you going to do about this? What is the RICS going to do about this? And please don’t tell me their legal team will have yet another go at me, Craig – you have to stop avoiding this issue and sort it out once and for all. The solution is very simple:
1: Issue an immediate blanket RICS ban on ANY mention of PCA
2: A blanket ban on ANY recommendation of independent timber and damp surveys
3: EDUCATE all your surveyors to actually understand moisture in buildings as per the methodology.
4: Engage UK Finance immediately to issue instructions that NO mention of PCA must be made, or to timber and damp inspections in mortgage applications.
Perhaps we need an urgent meeting with all those involved to map out an action plan to stop this rubbish, once and for all. I’ve said before – I don’t want to be in conflict with the RICS, but it is bloody well unavoidable if they will not stop the PCA and educate their surveyors. I’m up for a zoom under the current situation.
Peter
Craig Ross responded thus - note the total ignorance of my request, and failure to address the issue at hand:
Pete,
I believe I have mentioned before that its not my position to respond to individual complaints about RICS members.
The complaints procedure mentioned is there for a reason. The correct process if a client wishes to complain about their surveyor is for the client to follow the surveyors complaints handling procedure first, then if necessary this can be escalated to RICS by the client. We have a team here who handle these matters and I have no place to speak for them. This process allows the firm to deal with the complaint if they can. I cannot get involved in case by case complaints.
Unfortunately however, given the tone of your email I have no option but to close this conversation with you and refrain from further engagement. I will continue to engage with RICS members on this subject but would respectfully request that you do not contact me again.
Sincerely,
Craig Ross, BSc (Hons) MRICS, MSyI
Associate Director of the Built Environment
RICS - Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Contact Centre +44 (0) 247 686 8555
E: cross@rics.org W: rics.org
Mobile: +44 (0) 7989 660 782
