RICS has launched a new edition of its UK Residential Property Standards, the ‘Blue Book’.

The Blue Book is now aligned with the global Real Estate Agency and Brokerage Standards and for the first time it includes a section on property management to complement the RICS Residential Service Charge Code.

The Blue Book, which has been developed in consultation with consumer groups and industry bodies, seeks to provide residential sales, letting and management professionals with best practice advice to enhance the quality of service provided.

RICS views the latest edition as being the most comprehensive guidance yet published, providing best practice guidance across the sector against which all redress schemes can judge an agent’s performance.

High street letting agents, estate agents and managing agents who practice in accordance with the Blue Book will able to become Associate members of RICS through the Residential Estate Agency route.