Communication & negotiation

Question 1

What skills do you need to communicate effectively?

Answer 1

Clarity and conciseness, active listening, adaptability, confidence and professionalism, written proficiency.

Question 2

What is clarity and conciseness in communication?

Answer 2

Ensuring messages are direct and easy to understand.

Question 3

What is active listening?

Answer 3

Understanding client needs and responding appropriately.

Question 4

What does adaptability mean in communication?

Answer 4

Tailoring communication to the audience (e.g., lay clients vs. professionals).

Question 5

Why is confidence and professionalism important in communication?

Answer 5

Maintaining credibility and authority.

Question 6

What is written proficiency?

Answer 6

Ensuring reports and emails are clear, structured, and professional.

Question 7

How do you ensure that the frequency of communication is acceptable?

Answer 7

Establishing client expectations, agreeing on reporting intervals, adapting based on client preferences.

Question 8

What are the different ways you can communicate with clients?

Answer 8

Written: Email, reports, letters; Verbal: Face-to-face meetings, phone calls, video conferencing; Visual: Drawings, photographs, presentations, infographics.

Question 9

When would you choose to use written communication over verbal communication?

Answer 9

When providing formal instructions, requiring an audit trail, or summarising agreed actions after meetings.

Question 10

What barriers to effective communication have you come across?

Answer 10

Technical jargon, cultural or language differences, poor technology or connectivity.

Question 11

How can you overcome technical jargon in communication?

Answer 11

By simplifying language.

Question 12

What is your negotiating style?

Answer 12

Collaborative and principled, fact-based, professional and ethical.

Question 13

Why is negotiation important?

Answer 13

Helps achieve fair market terms, strengthens client relationships, ensures win-win outcomes.

Question 14

What is principled negotiation?

Answer 14

A method focusing on separating people from the problem, focusing on interests, generating options for mutual gain, and using objective criteria.

Question 15

What can be a barrier to negotiating effectively?

Answer 15

Emotional bias, lack of preparation, unrealistic expectations.

Question 16

What would be a good way to facilitate negotiations?

Answer 16

Preparation, clear communication, building relationships.

Question 17

Why do you consider discussing matters in person might be effective?

Answer 17

Allows for non-verbal cues and better engagement, immediate clarification of concerns.

Question 18

What are the alternatives to in-person discussions?

Answer 18

Video calls, emails, formal letters, phone calls.

Question 19

Why can these alternatives present challenges?

Answer 19

Emails lack tone and clarity, phone calls provide no written record, video calls depend on internet reliability.

Question 20

How do you communicate effectively using social media?

Answer 20

Keeping posts professional and factual, avoiding disclosing confidential information.

Question 21

What do RICS set out as best practice for the use of social media?

Answer 21

Be honest, transparent, and professional; do not share confidential or misleading information.

Question 22

What RICS guidance is this best practice set out within?

Answer 22

RICS Social Media Guidance Note.

Question 23

How do you use visual media to communicate with clients?

Answer 23

Demonstrating project progress, providing clear comparisons, ensuring images are accurate and date-stamped.

Question 24

What forms of communication are you aware of?

Answer 24

Verbal, nonverbal, written, graphical.

Question 25

What are the barriers to effective communication?

Answer 25

Prejudice, bias, jargon.

Question 26

What is your approach when negotiating in challenging circumstances?

Answer 26

Start with detailed research, arrange a meeting, use SWOT analysis, develop a partnering approach, ensure project success.

Question 27

What makes a successful negotiation?

Answer 27

Preparation, giving every side a voice, working together, swift confirmation in writing, confirming next steps.

Question 28

What are the key steps when preparing for a negotiation?

Answer 28

Internal research and preparation, organisation of meeting.

Question 29

What happens during a negotiation meeting?

Answer 29

Both parties present their side, all should remain professional, the meeting should be calm.

Question 30

Please provide an example of when you had to handle difficult negotiations.

Answer 30

During the acquisition of 94 Mostyn Street, I negotiated a price reduction and asbestos removal.

Question 31

What was the initial asking price during the acquisition of 94 Mostyn Street?

Answer 31

The initial asking price was £300,000.

Question 32

What was the final negotiated price for the acquisition?

Answer 32

The final negotiated price was £220,000.

Question 33

What is an example of your oral communication skills?

Answer 33

I have provided a number of professional presentations.

Question 34

What are your thoughts on using email as a form of communication?

Answer 34

Emails carry the same legal value as a letter and must be used carefully.

Question 35

How do you conduct yourself in negotiations?

Answer 35

I adopt a professional and fact-based approach. I use market evidence and comparable data to support my position. I ensure transparency and fairness in all discussions.

Question 36

How do you ensure good communication?

Answer 36

I use clear and concise reporting, active listening, regular updates, and tailor my communication style for different stakeholders.

Question 37

What is an example of when you have negotiated effectively?

Answer 37

In a recent lease renewal in the Victoria Centre, I secured a rent increase for the client by demonstrating market upturn evidence.

Question 38

What is an example of when you have communicated effectively?

Answer 38

I produced a detailed internal valuation report for 10 Mostyn Street, ensuring clear structure and rationale, which was well received by the client.

Question 39

Give an example of when you have communicated using a complex written report.

Answer 39

During the acquisition of 94 Mostyn Street, I prepared a detailed valuation report that provided a clear, evidence-based recommendation, ensuring my client made an informed investment decision.

Question 40

What was your negotiation strategy for Unit 33b and how did this help you agree on new rent?

Answer 40

I used comparable rental evidence to justify a revised rent and highlighted market trends to persuade the tenant of a fair deal.

Question 41

Why are guarantors used?

Answer 41

Guarantors are used to reduce financial risk for landlords and ensure liability for rent and damages if the tenant defaults.

Question 42

Why did you advise the guarantor could be removed?

Answer 42

The tenant demonstrated strong financial standing and had a long trading history with good covenant strength.

Question 43

Did you provide your director and tenant with evidence to justify the new rent? If so, what evidence?

Answer 43

Yes, I provided comparable lease transactions, market trends, and economic conditions.

Question 44

How does a break penalty work?

Answer 44

A break penalty is a financial or time-based penalty imposed if a tenant exercises a break clause early, which could involve rent forfeiture, additional notice periods, or compensatory payments.

Question 45

What are the risks of having a startup company lease a unit?

Answer 45

The risks include a higher risk of default due to lack of financial history, an unproven business model, and limited covenant strength.

Question 46

How would you source covenant information?

Answer 46

I would source covenant information by reviewing company accounts via Companies House, checking credit ratings from agencies like Experian or Dun & Bradstreet, and seeking landlord references.