Overview

Right to Manage gives flat owners the legal right to control the management of their building.  This process provides a relatively inexpensive and speedy solution for resolving the existing management issues/disputes that frequently arise.  It is important to note that the right to manage is a no-fault procedure and often a pragmatic way forward for

In this section you will find lots of guidance, commentary and explanation about the Right to Manage.  This is enhanced by a collection of useful downloads providing you with the template documents you need to start on the right to manage process.  If you still have questions or require further clarification, don’t forget to contact us, comment on an article or leave a comment in our forum.

Can you say no to your tenant? Yes, if you're reasonable

Karen Albany says imposing conditions or refusing consent in response to a Licence to Assign is not straightforward for a Landlord.There have been many cases on refusal to consent (whether to assignment or underlet) all turning on what is "reasonable". The Landlord must show reasonableness in refusing consent to an assignment (Landlord and Tenant Act 1988). But what is reasonable is decided by the courts. Two recent cases have established new and helpful principles.

What happens after you have acquired the Right to Manage?

Once the Right to Manage has been acquired by a block of flats the hard work really begins. As the Right to Manage process has usually been instigated as a result of unsatisfactory management of the building, it is not uncommon to find the flat owners apathetic towards Managing Agents in general due to previous bad experiences.

Qualifying for the Right to Manage

Jennifer Ellis explains why a claim to exercise the Right to Manage (RTM) can only be made when the block and the lessees satisfy a number of different tests.

How to avoid your Right to Manage claim being rejected

Technically there is no need for leaseholders to prove mismanagement by a landlord. The right to manage is available, whether the landlord’s management has been good, bad or indifferent. But let us face facts, the only real reason for leaseholders replacing their management company is because they are not happy with the current situation. Often, there is history of mis-management or service charge complaints – and so the Right To Manage process can be somewhat adversarial.

Is Right to Manage the route for you?

As a leaseholder there may be various reasons to take control of the management of the building, e.g. dissatisfaction with consistently high service charges, or a poor standard of repair. There are ways of addressing these problems without taking control of the management but sometimes it makes sense for the landlord or its managing agents to be replaced with a more efficient regime. There are three main ways of going about this. The best option for you will depend on your circumstances, and those of the other leaseholders in the building.

Have you considered your Right to Manage?

The Right to Manage is a useful legal mechanism for flat owners to take control of their building where it has previously been mismanaged. The special In Depth feature in Issue 47 will explore the Right to Manage procedure, the role of the surveyor, and, importantly, life after the Right to Manage has been acquired.

Is Right to Manage the route for you?

Simon Painter compares RTM with some other options for flat owners. As a Leaseholder there may be various reasons to take control of the management of the building, e.g. dissatisfaction with consistently high service charges, or a poor standard of repair. There are ways of addressing these problems without taking control of the management but sometimes it makes sense for the landlord or its managing agents to be replaced with a more efficient regime.

BBC Working Lunch - News On The Block Appears Live On Television To Provide Help To Thousands Of Leaseholders

On 19th November 2009, BBC Breakfast News reported about the recent CARLEX campaign concerning complaints retirement flat owners have about the way their buildings are owned and managed. The show was followed by a report on BBC Working Lunch, following which Nicolas Shulman, founder of News on the Block, the leading independent publication providing help and advice to leaseholders, was invited to the studio to provide further guidance to worried flat owners. He explained that leaseholders have various options depending on whether they are acting alone or collectively with their fellow flat owners.

Should your block call in a project manager?

Manuel Aparicio considers the importance of specialist project management for major projects.

Are things looking up for property management?

In this exclusive interview, News on the Block meets the founders of a new and exciting property management company called 'Preside'.

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RMG wins £400k of Business in North

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