How the Right to Manage (RTM) Helps Residents Make Greener, More Sustainable Choices

Most leaseholders know RTM as a way to cut costs and gain control over their building — but fewer realise that taking over management can also unlock a whole range of environmentally friendly improvements.

When a freeholder or external managing agent is in charge, sustainability is rarely a priority. Decisions tend to focus on minimum compliance, lowest upfront cost, and maintaining the status quo.

With Right to Manage, residents can finally shift that mindset and make choices that reduce waste, lower carbon emissions, and create healthier, greener places to live.

Here’s how.

🌱 1. Choose Greener Energy Contracts

One of the biggest wins after forming an RTM company is the ability to switch suppliers.

External agents often use:

• bulk contracts they’ve negotiated for many buildings

• suppliers that benefit them, not residents

• outdated, expensive, non-renewable tariffs

Once residents take control, they can move to:

• 100% renewable electricity

• suppliers with clear carbon reporting

• fixed-term contracts that avoid sudden price spikes

Even small blocks can make the switch — and the impact is immediate.

🛠️ 2. Improve Energy Efficiency in Communal Areas

Communal lighting, lifts, pumps, external lighting and hallway heating can consume a huge amount of energy.

Under RTM, residents can finally approve upgrades like:

• LED lighting throughout the building

• motion sensors in corridors

• smart timers for external lights

• modern, efficient circulation pumps

• weather-based heating controls for communal areas

These upgrades typically:

• reduce electricity consumption by 30–60%

• pay for themselves within 1–3 years

• significantly reduce service charges long-term

Something that freeholders rarely bother investing in.

🔧 3. Make Sustainable Choices With Repairs & Maintenance

Without RTM, managing agents often choose contractors based on convenience — not environmental impact.

As an RTM company, residents can:

• use local contractors

• require recycled or low-carbon materials

• select suppliers who prioritise waste reduction

• specify sustainable timber, low-VOC paints, and eco-friendly cleaning products

• refurbish instead of replacing when appropriate

This gives residents direct control over both environmental footprint and maintenance quality.

🌤️ 4. Explore Solar PV or Other Renewable Installations

Solar panels are rarely considered by freeholders, because they don’t directly benefit them — but RTM companies have far more flexibility.

Possible options include:

• solar panels on the roof to power communal areas

• solar + battery for lighting and lifts

• sharing surplus energy with residents (where regulations allow)

For mid-sized blocks, communal solar can cut electricity bills by 40–70%, reduce carbon emissions, and even add value to the building.

🚮 5. Improve Recycling & Waste Management

Many estates suffer from overflowing bins and poor recycling because agents don’t want to spend the time rethinking the layout.

RTM companies can:

• redesign bin storage for easier sorting

• introduce food waste collection

• partner with councils or private contractors

• communicate recycling expectations clearly

• install more practical bin systems

This improves cleanliness, reduces pest issues, and helps the block meet local recycling standards.

🧑‍🌾 6. Create Greener Communal Spaces

Freeholders tend to maintain outdoor areas “just enough” to avoid complaints.

Residents, on the other hand, often want more vibrant, usable, greener spaces.

RTM enables projects like:

• replacing grass-only areas with pollinator-friendly planting

• adding planters, wildflower areas, or small community gardens

• improving irrigation efficiency

• choosing eco-friendly landscaping contractors

• creating biodiversity plans for the estate

These changes don’t just help the environment — they make the estate a better place to live.

🚗 7. Install Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging

Under freeholder control, EV charging is notoriously hard to get approved. It’s seen as complex, unnecessary, or something that only benefits a few residents.

RTM lets residents:

• choose the EV charging system

• apply for grants

• decide cost-sharing

• futureproof parking areas

This is one of the most common sustainability improvements after an RTM handover, and it’s a huge selling point for future buyers.

♻️ 8. Reduce Over-Specification and Waste

Managing agents sometimes replace items unnecessarily because it’s easier or more profitable for their preferred contractors.

RTM gives residents control to:

• repair instead of replace

• reuse and refurbish

• approve specifications that suit the building

• question unnecessary costs

• prioritise durability over quick fixes

The result: less waste and lower service charges.

🌍 Why Freeholders Rarely Do Any of This

Most freeholders have three priorities:

1. Maintain compliance

2. Avoid unnecessary costs

3. Protect their financial interest

Green choices usually involve:

• more resident input

• long-term thinking

• changes to existing contracts

• upfront investment

None of which appeal to absentee freeholders or agents juggling hundreds of buildings.

Residents, however, care about the environment they live in — and RTM gives them the power to act.

🏡 RTM Makes Sustainability Possible

When residents manage their own building, things change quickly:

• decisions are faster

• priorities shift toward long-term benefit

• sustainable investments become easier to approve

• savings from efficiency fund future upgrades

RTM isn’t just about control — it’s about shaping the kind of community you want to live in.

Ready to Take Control of Your Building’s Environmental Future?

Check if your block qualifies today.

👉 RTM Eligibility Checker

Or learn more about how the process works:

👉 What Is RTM?

If you want help navigating the legal side:

👉 Connect with our RTM partner firms