Menu
Right to Manage
ALEP members will be happy to give you initial advice about the Right to Manage (RTM) process.
Right to Manage (RTM)
Right to Manage (RTM) allows a ‘no fault’ opportunity to challenge the management and maintenance of the common and shared part of a building or development.
This is significantly cheaper than an outright freehold purchase since the freeholder is not being compensated for loss of the asset. Although some may see it as ‘second best’ compared with buying the freehold, where management quality is by far the biggest concern, it can be the most sensible option.
In order to exercise the right, 50% or more of the long leaseholders need to join forces and serve the Notice claiming the Right to Manage. The first step of this process is to incorporate a Right to Manage Company (‘RtM Company’). This is a company limited by guarantee, with a prescribed constitution set out under the 2002 Act. Once the company has been incorporated, all leaseholders must be invited to take part by way of a formal Notice. All participants must become members of the RTM Company.
Once this is done, a formal Notice is served on the freeholder by the company and a handover date is specified. Assuming that the process is followed correctly, the freeholder then has to hand over all management functions stipulated within the leases to the RTM Company on the handover date.
The RTM option has the advantage means that (if followed correctly) it is possible to change the management provider of your building without buying the freehold. However, the process can be open to challenge on technical grounds and it is therefore essential that expert advice be obtained.
ALEP members will be happy to give you initial advice about this process.
Find a Practitioner
ALEP was set up in 2007 in response to concerns raised by owners of leasehold properties who wanted reassurance that the people they were dealing with were reputable. Freeholders also require this reassurance.
- Where you see the ALEP logo you can be sure of a consistently high level of service.
- They must also commit to high professional standards, integrity and quality customer service.
- You can be confident that any firm that is a member of ALEP will be experienced and competent.