International Property Measurement Standards
The International Property Measurement Standards Coalition (IPMSC) is a group of more than 80 professional and not-for-profit organisations working to develop international standards for measuring property. It was formed during a meeting at the World Bank in Washington in May 2013.
On 26 September 2016, the coalition published the International Property Measurement Standards (IPMS): Residential Buildings, the second in a series of global, open-source standards, the first being the International Property Measurement Standards (IPMS): Office Buildings, published in November 2014.
The coalition intends to develop additional standards for industrial buildings and retail buildings. Other classes of property may also benefit from the development of standards, such as schools, hospitals, hotels and student accommodation.
The standards are intended to establish a consistent approach to measuring buildings, particularly important given the growth of cross-border property investment and the expansion of global corporations.
Research by JLL has revealed that measurement of a property’s floor area can vary by as much as 24% depending on the method used. Some methods include lift shafts and communal hallways, others include off-site parking or swimming pools, and so on. The creation of International Property Measurement Standards helps establish a more transparent marketplace, resulting in stronger investor confidence.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Area.
- Beneficial occupation.
- BOMA International.
- Case notes for rating valuation (Garton V Hunter).
- Choice of method for rating valuation.
- Contractor’s basis for rating valuation.
- Conversion of material volumes.
- Gross external area.
- Gross internal area.
- Measurement.
- Metric system.
- Net internal area.
- Occupant capacity of a building or space.
- Profits method of rating valuation.
- Rating valuation.
- Rental method of rating valuation.
- Statutory formulae for rating valuation.
- Total useful floor area.
- Units.
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
The heritage of nuclear and conventional power stations.
New measures to stop people being ripped off
Government to protect families from cowboy builders and aggressive bailiffs.
New Futurebuild showcase brings an innovation-first approach.
National Planning Policy Framework
Understanding the 2026 changes.
ECA's public affairs priorities
Member consultation opens to shape priorities for 2027 to 2030.
Dutyholder responsibilities from 1 July 2026.
Where performance meets practice
The Building Envelope Stage at UKCW Birmingham.
CIAT publishes briefing on planning reforms.
Leaders in Learning for Practice Network
Call for conservation leaders in learning to register interest in new network.
The importance of early engagement
Construction lessons from the Trillium HealthWorks Experience Centre.
Mayors are to be given planning call in powers
Mayors across England will be able to make the most important planning decisions.
The Master Builder: William Butterfield and his times. Book review.