About RTMF and the RTM process

3 Oct

RTMF has an unsurpassed record in achieving RTM in properties ranging from converted houses with just a

few flats to purpose built multi-block estates comprised of hundreds of apartments with onsite

facilities such as gymnasiums and swimming pools. To date RTMF has acquired RTM for more than

1000 buildings and about 20,000 properties, including top- end luxury apartments, retirement blocks

and purpose built student accommodation. We have successfully represented hundreds of

leaseholders in the Lands Tribunals, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

The RTM process

Right to Manage (RTM) is the legal right of leaseholders of flats to acquire the management of their

property and either manage it in-house or appoint a professional management company to manage on

their behalf. RTM is made available under the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002. It is not

necessary to prove fault by your landlord or managing agent. It is intended to put control back in the

hands of leaseholders, who collectively hold the greatest financial interest in the property. Parliament’s

objective is to improve the standard of leasehold management and prevent exploitation by unscrupulous

managers and freeholders.

✓ If your premises meet the following criteria then you should be able to acquire the Right to Manage

your premises: -

✓ The premises must be a structurally detached building or self-contained part of a building.

✓ The premises must have two or more flats and if four or less the freeholder of the premises does

not occupy a flat as his or her principal home.

✓ At least two-thirds of the flats in the premises must be owned by ‘qualifying tenants’ with leases

granted for a term of 21 years or more.

✓ Any non-residential parts of the premises must not collectively exceed 50% of the total floor area,

excluding common parts.

✓ At least half of the qualifying tenants must be members of the RTM company.

✓ The local housing authority must not be the landlord of any qualifying tenant.

In 2016 the Court of Appeal determined that an RTM Company can only manage one building or part of a

building. In consequence multiple block estates where the buildings are not structurally connected will

require one RTM company per detached block. If all blocks wish to appoint a single management company

this can be implemented by inter-company agreements, post RTM.

AI Consultant and Trainer