Keeping the Record Straight

Keeping the Record Straight (28/11/2002)

The Architects Registration Board (ARB) will shortly be sending out the annual retention fee request. Included with the mailing are a number of other documents, as follows.

Change of Address

Section 11 of the Architects Act 1997 requires architects to notify ARB of any changes to their regular business address. It is vital that architects comply with this requirement. Failure to do so can have dire consequences. Many removals from the Register occur simply because ARB has been corresponding with an out of date address. Not only will architects then face a penalty payment for reinstatement to the Register, but more seriously, they may also find themselves open to prosecution for misuse of title. It is therefore in the profession’s own interests to inform ARB as soon as any changes take place.

Professional Indemnity Insurance – Compliance Certificate

As last year, architects are being asked to notify ARB of their compliance with the PII requirements. Architects are requested to complete the Compliance Certificate, and to return it to ARB by 31 March 2003.

E-mail Addresses

Last year’s market research exercise saw a majority of the profession expressing agreement with the proposal to publish e-mail addresses and telephone numbers in the Register, as well as business addresses. The retention fee mailing is being used as a means of collecting this information, but architects can, if they prefer, indicate that these particulars are for ARB’s use only, and not for general consumption. Once ARB has the addresses, architects can elect to receive information and updates from ARB via e-mail.