How to Take Control of Your Building: The Step-by-Step Guide to the Right to Manage (RTM)
- Jon Buckley
- Nov 12
- 2 min read
If you’re tired of high service charges, poor maintenance, and feeling powerless over how your building is run, you’re not alone. Thousands of leaseholders across the UK are discovering the Right to Manage (RTM) — a legal process that allows residents to take control of their building’s management from the freeholder or managing agent.
The good news? You don’t have to prove bad management or go to court. You just need to meet a few criteria and follow the correct steps.
Here’s a clear, plain-English guide to how it works.
Step 1: Check if Your Building Qualifies
The RTM process only applies to certain buildings, mainly blocks of flats. To qualify:
At least two-thirds of the flats must be owned by leaseholders (not tenants).
At least half of the leaseholders must agree to take part.
The building must be self-contained (not part of another larger block).
Not sure if yours qualifies?
Use our RTM Eligibility Checker to find out in minutes.
Step 2: Set Up an RTM Company
Once you know your building is eligible, you’ll need to create a special type of limited company — an RTM company.
It’s free or very low cost to set up (usually under £100).
All participating leaseholders become members.
You’ll appoint directors to handle management decisions.
If this sounds daunting, don’t worry — it’s just a formality. You can even use our partner firms to guide you through setup.
Step 3: Serve the Notice of Claim
Your RTM company must serve a formal Notice of Claim to the freeholder. This tells them you intend to take over management.
The freeholder then has a short period (usually one month) to respond. If there’s no valid objection, your company will automatically gain the right to manage after a short handover period.
If there’s a dispute, it’s resolved through the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) — but most claims are straightforward.
Step 4: Take Over Management
Once your claim succeeds, the RTM company officially takes over management responsibilities. You can:
Hire your own managing agent
Control service charge budgets
Decide on repairs, insurance, and contracts
Most leaseholders appoint a professional managing agent — but now you choose them, not the freeholder.
Step 5: Enjoy Transparency, Savings, and Control
With RTM, your building is run for the benefit of residents — not developers or outside agents.
You’ll have visibility into every cost, can tender contracts competitively, and ensure maintenance is actually done.
Typical results:
10–25% lower service charges
Better communication and maintenance
Higher property satisfaction
Ready to Get Started?
Taking control of your building starts with a simple check.
Or read more about What RTM is and how it works.
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