Protecting Professional Integrity: The Role of Non-Disclosure Agreements in RICS Practice

In the world of property and surveying, information is arguably the most valuable asset. A Chartered Surveyor, bound by the standards of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), is privy to some of the most sensitive data a client or company possesses. From commercially sensitive valuation figures to private building defects, the information handled by RICS professionals is the bedrock of high-stakes transactions, legal disputes, and strategic planning.

This is where the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) becomes more than just a legal formality; it becomes a critical tool for upholding professional and ethical standards.

An NDA, also known as a confidentiality agreement, is a legally binding contract between two or more parties. It outlines confidential material, knowledge, or information that the parties wish to share with one another for a specific purpose, but wish to restrict from access by third parties. For an RICS member, the NDA is the formal expression of the trust a client places in them.