Right to Manage, from first questions to handover.

What Right to Manage is intended to do

Right to Manage allows qualifying leaseholders to take over certain building-management responsibilities from the landlord through a statutory process. You do not have to prove poor management or obtain the landlord’s agreement, but the building, participating leaseholders and claim must meet the statutory requirements.

RTM transfers specified management functions to the RTM company. It does not transfer ownership of the freehold. The important starting point is understanding which responsibilities would change and what that would mean for your building. An interest in improving communication or maintenance is useful motivation, but the process also brings practical work and decisions for the company taking on management.

For an independent introduction, read GOV.UK’s overview of Right to Manage.

Understand your current management structure

Before deciding on a route, identify the freeholder, any intermediate landlord, any existing residents’ company and the managing agent. A development can involve more than one building, shared facilities or different arrangements for different parts.

Gather the relevant leases and available plans, alongside a description of how management currently operates. This gives the review a factual basis. Names appearing on a bill do not always explain the complete structure or every party’s responsibilities.

Eligibility needs a current, building-specific review

The building and leaseholders must meet the current Right to Manage qualification requirements. That assessment should use current rules and the actual documents; it should not rely on an old online checklist or an assumption that neighbouring buildings have identical circumstances.

Useful starting information includes the building address, approximate number of flats, any commercial areas, shared facilities and whether the development has several blocks. We can discuss the support required to establish the position before formal steps are taken.

An RTM company is also an ongoing responsibility

The company is central to the process and to management after acquisition. Leaseholders considering involvement should understand the distinction between participating in the company and helping direct its work. It is useful to discuss how decisions and communication will be organised early.

A managing agent can provide practical support, but the appointment should be understood alongside the company’s responsibilities. A successful transition requires a workable arrangement for decisions, reporting and the management tasks that continue after the initial process.

Organise information before progressing notices

There is a formal process to follow. In practical terms, preparation includes understanding the building, gathering the necessary information, coordinating interested leaseholders and obtaining appropriate support for the company and notices.

The exact requirements and dates need to be established for the claim rather than copied from another building’s timeline. Our project pages demonstrate the value of explaining steps clearly, but a previous project’s schedule is not a timetable for every new enquiry.

How the formal stages fit together

1. Set up the company: establish the vehicle that will claim and exercise the right to manage.
2. Invite participation: the formal invitation stage gives the relevant leaseholders the opportunity to join.
3. Make the claim: the claim notice and any counter-notice form part of the statutory process.
4. Prepare for acquisition: organise the management arrangements, records and communication needed for the transition.

This is an orientation to the process, not a notice-service checklist. Membership, wording, recipients and deadlines need careful current review. The Leasehold Advisory Service provides a detailed step-by-step guide.

Read the Leasehold Advisory Service process guide

Separate process costs from the cost of running the building

When discussing RTM, distinguish work involved in the initial process from ongoing building expenditure and future management arrangements. These are different budgets and should be explained separately. Professional support, information gathering and any disputed issues can affect the work required.

We do not publish a universal RTM price. We first understand the building, what stage you have reached and the support required. Any proposed work, its scope and costs should be clear before it is agreed.

Plan for the first months of management

Think about continuity as well as the acquisition itself. Records, financial information, existing contracts, maintenance issues and communication arrangements need attention. Residents should understand where to report a problem and how they will receive relevant updates.

This is also the point to establish a considered maintenance plan and ongoing block management and reporting. RTM is a route to different management arrangements; the day-to-day work of running the building continues and needs an organised approach.

What to tell us when you first get in touch

Explain your role, where the building is, approximately how many flats are involved and whether the discussion is at an early stage or a company or claim already exists. Mention any known complications, but do not worry if you do not yet have every document.

You can ask a focused question before committing to a wider service. We will discuss how we may be able to help and what information would be useful next. This overview is general information; formal eligibility and notice advice need current, case-specific review.

To discuss your building privately, send an RTM enquiry and choose Right to Manage as your starting point.