property services

Work Description

Job holders within this unit group manage shopping centres, residential areas and private estates, and arrange for the sale, purchase, rental and leasing of property on behalf of clients and employers.

Qualification

There are no formal academic requirements, although entrants usually possess a BTEC/SQA award, a degree or equivalent qualification. Apprenticeships are available in some areas. Many employers expect the attainment of membership to a relevant professional body.

Job Tasks

determines staffing, financial, material and other short- and long-term requirements; manages general upkeep, maintenance and security of the estate’s amenities; makes sure that the amenities meet health and safety standards and legal requirements; advises on energy efficiency; discusses client’s requirements and may advise client on the purchase of property and land for investment and other purposes; conducts or arranges for structural surveys of properties and undertakes any necessary valuations of property or agricultural land, and deals with grant and subsidy applications; negotiates land or property purchases and sales or leases and tenancy agreements and arranges legal formalities with solicitors, building societies and other parties; maintains or arranges for the maintenance of estate accounts and records and produces financial forecasts; acts as arbiter in disputes between landlord and tenant and ensures that both fulfil their legal obligations; examines and assesses housing applications, advises on rent levels, investigates complaints and liaises with tenants’ association and social workers to resolve any family problems.

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Work Description

Architects plan and design the construction and development of buildings and land areas with regard to functional and aesthetic requirements.

Qualification

Entrants require a professional qualification in architecture that will encompass an accredited degree and postgraduate qualification, and at least two years practical experience.

Job Tasks

liaises with client and other professionals to establish building type, style, cost limitations and landscaping requirements; studies condition and characteristics of site, taking into account drainage, topsoil, trees, rock formations, etc.; analyses site survey and advises client on development and construction details and ensures that proposed design blends in with the surrounding area; prepares detailed scale drawings and specifications for design and construction and submits these for planning approval; monitors construction work in progress to ensure compliance with specifications.

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Work Description

Town planning officers direct or undertake the planning of the layout and the co-ordination of plans for the development of urban and rural areas.

Qualification

Entrants usually possess either an accredited degree or postgraduate qualification and must have completed at least two years’ work experience in town planning before gaining professional status.

Job Tasks

analyses information to establish the nature, extent, growth rate and likely development requirements of the area; consults statutory bodies and other interested parties to ensure that local interests are catered for and to evaluate competing development proposals; drafts and presents graphic and narrative plans affecting the use of public and private land, housing and transport facilities; examines and evaluates development proposals submitted and recommends acceptance, modification or rejection; liaises with national and local government and other bodies to advise on urban and regional planning issues.

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Work Description

Quantity surveyors advise on financial and contractual matters relating to, and prepare bills of quantities for, construction projects and provide other support functions concerning the financing and materials required for building projects.

Qualification

Entry is through professional training and membership of an appropriate professional organisation. Entry to professional examinations will require GCSEs/S grades and A levels/H grades, a BTEC/SQA award, a degree or equivalent qualification. Candidates usually undertake a period of probationary training and professional assessment.

Job Tasks

liaises with client on project costs, formulates detailed cost plan and advises contractors and engineers to ensure that they remain within cost limit; examines plans and specifications and prepares details of the material and labour required for the project; prepares bills of quantities for use by contractors when tendering for work; examines tenders received, advises client on the most acceptable and assists with preparation of a contract document; measures and values work in progress and examines any deviations from original contract; measures and values completed contract for authorisation of payment.

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Work Description

Chartered surveyors conduct surveys related to the measurement, management, valuation and development of land, natural resources, buildings, other types of property, and infrastructure such as harbours, roads and railway lines.

Qualification

Entrants usually possess an accredited degree, equivalent qualification and/or postgraduate qualification. Entrants must also have successfully completed a probationary training period and professional assessment. Entry requirements to professional bodies vary.

Job Tasks

surveys, measures and describes land surfaces to establish property boundaries and to aid with construction or cartographic work; surveys mines, prepares drawings of surfaces, hazards and other features to control the extent and direction of mining; surveys buildings to determine necessary alterations and repairs; measures shore lines, elevations and underwater contours, establishes high and low water marks, plots shore features and defines navigable channels.

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Work Description

Chartered architectural technologists provide architectural design services, negotiate construction projects and manage the development of projects from conception to completion.

Qualification

Chartered status requires an accredited degree and membership of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists. Professional practice also entails structured Continuing Professional Development.

Job Tasks

develops construction project briefs and design programmes; advises clients on methods of project procurement and forms of contract; advises on environmental, regulatory and legal requirements and assesses environmental impact; prepares and presents design proposals and manages and coordinates design team; monitors compliance with design, statutory and professional requirements, undertakes stage inspections; administers contracts and certification and manages project handover; evaluates and advises on refurbishment, recycling and deconstruction of buildings; manages health and safety and carries out design stage risk assessments.

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Work Description

Job holders in this unit group manage and oversee major construction and civil engineering projects and major building contracts for quality of work, safety, timeliness and completion within budget; forecast travel patterns and develop strategies for managing the impact of traffic-related demand.

Qualification

Entrants normally possess a degree in a relevant subject or equivalent qualification and/or substantial work experience at an appropriate level. Further Continuing Professional Development is available in some areas.

Job Tasks

draws up budgets and timescales for new construction projects based on clients’ requirements; briefs project team, contractors and suppliers; assembles information for invoicing at the end of projects; plans work schedules for construction projects based on prior discussion with architects, surveyors etc.; hires and may supervise site staff, establishes temporary site offices, takes delivery of materials; regularly inspects and monitors progress and quality of work, ensures legal requirements are met; identifies defects in work and proposes corrections; records, monitors and reports progress; forecasts the impact on traffic and transport of new developments (e.g. shopping centre); assesses schemes to manage traffic such as congestion charging and parking controls; examines accident ‘blackspots’ to improve road safety; writes reports for funding bids and planning authorities and acts as expert witness.

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Work Description

Estate agents and auctioneers arrange for the valuation, sale, purchase, rental and leasing of property on behalf of clients.

Qualification

There are no formal academic entry requirements although entrants to professional training via the National Federation of Property Professionals (NFOPP) will normally possess GCSEs/S grades, an NVQ/SVQ and/or relevant experience. Off- and on-the-job training is possible, and apprenticeships are available in some areas.

Job Tasks

discusses client’s requirements and may advise client on the purchase of property and land for investment and other purposes; conducts or arranges for structural surveys of properties and undertakes any necessary valuations of property or agricultural land; advises vendors and purchasers on market prices of property, accompanies clients to view property; markets the property on behalf of the vendor, prepares written information and press advertisements; negotiates land or property purchases, sales, leases or tenancy agreements and arranges legal formalities with solicitors, building societies and other parties; makes inventories of property for sale, advises vendor of suitable reserve price, issues catalogues, conducts auction, notes bids and records sale.

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