Is RTM only for leasehold flats?

GixerKate

I'm on a not-so-new estate with a terrible management company and I've been told that we could use the RTM option to wrestle control of the management company to the residents.  All of my research however seems to imply that RTM is only applicable to leasehold flats.  Does anyone know if we could go down the RTM route if its a number of residents who are house owners with the freeholds as usual?

Mark_d

Yes RTM is only for leasehold.  If you have freehold houses, there's nothing stopping from a few of you teaming up and getting one company to mow everyone's lawns

eddddy

Mark_d said:

If you have freehold houses, there's nothing stopping from a few of you teaming up and getting one company to mow everyone's lawns

I imagine the OP is concerned about the management (e.g. cutting grass) of the communal areas - as opposed to everyone's 'private' lawns.

GixerKate said:

Does anyone know if we could go down the RTM route if its a number of residents who are house owners with the freeholds as usual?

As freehold house owners, RTM isn't applicable.

Unfortunately, there is currently no specific legislation that helps you in your situation - just standard contract law. So it's probably a case of reading the Deed you signed, to see if the management company are breaching the terms in any way (e.g. charging you for things that the deed doesn't allow them to charge you for).


When it comes into force, the Freehold and Leasehold Reform Act will give freehold house owners more rights to challenge unreasonable estate management fees.