UNDERSTANDING THE RIGHT TO MANAGE FOR PROPERTY LEASEHOLDERS

Share:
Verified CHARTERED SURVEYOR APPROVED

The Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 gave leaseholders the right to assume responsibility for the management of their property through a specially-formed company. We take a look at what this means for tenants and for landlords.

The Right to Manage (RtM) gives leaseholders the ability and the legal right to take over the management of their property, via a Right to Manage Company. The legislation applies to any self-contained building, consisting of two or more flats or apartments which are held by ‘Qualifying Tenants’ (QTs). To be a QT they must hold a lease which was for more than 21 years at the time it was granted, and at least two-thirds of the residences must be owned by the QTs. The building must also be at least 75% residential and no less than half of the tenants must be members of the RtM company.

How it affects the landlord

If the leaseholders in a landlord’s property do decide to exercise their RtM, it is important to note that ownership of the building will not be affected. The entitlement merely applies to its management.

In order to exercise their RtM, the QTs need not demonstrate that the landlord is at fault in any way and, most importantly, landlords cannot object to the process, neither are they entitled to any financial compensation. Landlords can be members of the RtM company if they wish – they will receive at least one vote and perhaps more, depending on how many apartments they own in the building.

The leaseholders will contact the landlord after they have set up a RtM company. A ‘Right to Information’ notice will be issued, which will ask for information from the landlord to assist the tenants in their claim.

Next a ‘Notice of Claim’ will be issued, informing the landlord that the tenants intend to proceed with their RtM. It will tell the landlord the date by which they must respond and the date by which the RtM company will take over the building’s management.

Landlords can either accept the claim or dispute it. If they dispute it, they must serve a counter-notice to the RtM company stating the reasons for their objections. For example, the landlord may think that the building does not qualify for transfer, that the RtM company has failed to comply with the legal requirements or that fewer than half the residents are represented on the RtM board. The final decision will be made by a Leasehold Valuation tribunal within two months.

Finally, when the management of the building is transferred to the RtM company, the landlord will receive a notice. This means that they are required to transfer any service charge money on the ‘date of acquisition’ or as soon as possible after it.

How it affects the leaseholders

A transfer to RtM means that tenants will be ultimately responsible for the collection and management of the service charge, maintaining communal areas such as stairs and hallways, the upkeep of the structural elements of the building such as the roof, and dealing with any complaints received from leaseholders about the building. The RtM company can choose whether to continue to use the current managing agent or appoint a new one, or indeed if they wish to self-manage.

The RtM must also inform the landlord about issues such as assignment (where an apartment is sold or transferred into someone else’s name), any subletting which is taking place and any charges which the leaseholders incur. In cases where consent is required the RtM company must also inform the landlord about structural changes to the building or any changes in its use.

Many leaseholders choose to form a RtM company in order to establish more self-determination in terms of how their building is managed, and most find that it also brings more control over the standard of any work undertaken on the building and saves them money on service charges too – up to 30% on management fees in some cases.

However, this freedom also brings responsibilities. It is the RtM company’s directors’ responsibility to maintain the building as if it was their own and operate within the terms of company law. They must also make sure that the maintenance conditions of the lease are met and that Health and Safety regulations are rigorously upheld. Failure to do so may result in legal and/or financial penalties for them.

Transferring a block of residential flats to a RtM company is a fairly straightforward process and can have benefits for the tenants as well as freeing up the landlord from his or her maintenance responsibilities. If you’re a tenant who wishes to investigate the procedure further or a landlord whose tenants have put in a RtM request, and you’d like further confidential and professional advice, contact the Eddisons team to discuss your rights and responsibilities.

If the leaseholders in a landlord’s property do decide to exercise their RtM, it is important to note that ownership of the building will not be affected. The entitlement merely applies to its management.

IF YOU HAVE AN ENQUIRY PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW.

    Please note we only offer residential valuations from a limited number of our locations.
    By ticking this box you give consent to Eddisons Commercial Limited to email you in respect of news, sales and services. Where consent is not provided we will only use your information for the purposes of your enquiry. Please See our Privacy Policy for further information.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

PROPERTY ADVICE EXPERT

Paul Gagan

0161 837 7358
  • Expert Local Knowledge
  • Over 350 Talented Individuals
  • Director Led Service
  • 25+ Offices Nationwide

Whats your next step?

Contact us to find out more

EDDISONS NEWSLETTER

Our talented team of commercial property experts provide news, reports and expert insight. Join over 50,000 property managers, occupiers, landlords and investors receiving our latest insights.

OUR TEAM

We’re proud to employ more than 350 talented individuals working across a multitude of disciplines.

OFFICE LOCATOR

Eddisons is rapidly growing; emphasised by our nationwide office network which is now 25-strong.

CONTACT US TODAY

We’re ready to take your call and can quickly pass you through to the right department.

our team

We’re proud to employ more than 350 talented individuals working across a multitude of disciplines.

OFFICE LOCATOR

Eddisons is rapidly growing; emphasised by our nationwide office network which is now 25-strong.

CONTACT US TODAY

We’re ready to take your call and can quickly pass you through to the right department.