A society run by its members
The Halden Society of Building Surveyors (sample) sets the standard for building surveying in the county, trains the people who meet it and answers to the public who rely on it.
Founded by twelve surveyors in 1952
After the war, a group of surveyors met in a room above the Corn Exchange to agree how a house should be inspected and reported on (sample). Their notes became our first standard.
Today the society has around 1,200 members in four grades. It is a not-for-profit body: fees pay for the rooms, the library, the CPD programme and the register.
How the society is run
Members elect the council; the council appoints the committees. Every member from Member grade up has one vote.
Council
Twelve Members and Fellows, elected for three years at the annual general meeting. Meets monthly and confirms new Members.
Standards board
Writes our practice notes and the code of conduct. Half its members are from outside the profession.
Education committee
Plans the CPD programme, the annual conference and the professional review.
Conduct panel
Hears complaints about members. Its decisions are published in the bulletin.
Chapters
Local groups in Springfield, Old Halden and Eastmoor run evening talks and site visits (sample).
Seventy years in five dates
1952
The society is founded
Twelve surveyors adopt a shared standard for house inspections (sample).
1974
The first CPD scheme
Members agree to log twenty hours of learning a year, long before it was usual.
1998
A public register
The register of members is opened to the public, first in print and from 2004 online.
2012
Chapters outside Springfield
Old Halden and Eastmoor start their own evening talks and site visits.
2025
Student bursaries
Ten bursaries a year help students from the county with fees and equipment.
The rooms on Guild Row
Our rooms hold the library, a meeting room for twenty and the hall where evening talks take place. Members book the meeting room free of charge.
- Library of practice notes, standards and old survey reports
- Meeting room for twenty with a screen
- Step-free entrance from Guild Row
Thinking of joining?
Tell us where you are in your career and we will tell you which grade fits and what to send.