Surveyors seek change in property services

Towards increasing awareness and adoption of technology in the real estate and built environment sectors, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Nigeria Group, has reiterated the need for estate surveyors to embrace change in the industry.

Speaking at its annual conference in Lagos, the Chairman, Mr. Yinka Omotosho said, “it is imperative that as the world and the real estate sector is changing, we do as well but with utmost awareness of the evolution taking place.”

“These changes have been instrumental in the forward movement in the real estate sector in an evolving world and business cycle. This can be brought home to our real estate and construction sector that is changing as the world does,” he added.

The event had it theme as ‘Embracing Change in the Property Services’. He attributed the changes to emerging technology and the breed/generation of clients as well as stakeholders in the sector.

Omotosho further explained that change as an essence could most times depict progress. “It is a key tool required in taking strides. Through varying centuries, there have been several disruptors such as information and technology, which has led to changes and influenced the curse of the society,” he stated. 

Also, the Head of Property, Nigeria and West Africa, Standard Chartered Bank, Mrs. Anne Rinu, who spoke on the topic, ‘Change: Why Change? said: “In recent times, we have seen changes across all spheres in the real estate world. These changes are largely decided by clients who we all represent as service providers in various spheres of real estate services (landlords, developers and tenants),” she said.  

According to Rinu, there have been changes in the quality of space delivered into the market by landlords / developers as well as changes in space requirements by respective tenants / occupiers.She urged estate surveyors to be aware that changes come as a result of inherent challenges, adding that the solution to some of these challenges brings about the desired changes.