When the leaseholders at a Wallington block decided enough was enough, they turned to the Right to Manage (RTM) process.
I was proud to guide them through the journey — helping them take management powers away from the Freeholder/Managing Agent and finally put control back in their own hands.
The results have been nothing short of transformational.
Service Charges Slashed
Before RTM, residents were paying between £2,500 and £3,000 per flat each year. Once the RTM company took over, those charges dropped to around £1,200. That’s an annual saving of £1,300–£1,800 per flat.
Across the 16 flats, the collective saving is £20,800–£28,800 every single year. On top of that, leaseholders received £83,418.94 refunded from reserves, while still keeping £50,000 in the sinking fund for future works.
Exposing Inflated Section 20 Costs
One of the biggest wins came from challenging inflated or unnecessary major works projects:
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Shed Works & Asbestos – Freeholder/Managing Agent quote: £110,000. RTM actual cost: £22,560. Saving: £87,440.
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Handrail – Quoted: £5,000. Actual: £0 (regulations proved no second handrail was required). Saving: £5,000.
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Fire Doors – £69,000 spent in 2019 on doors later deemed defective and replaced free of charge. We’re now pursuing refunds of wasted surveyor and agent fees.
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Redecorations – A £50,000–£70,000 Section 20 was withdrawn after we challenged its validity under the lease.
The Results
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Annual service charge savings: £20,800–£28,800
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One-off major works savings: £232,000+ (with more expected through Tribunal recoveries)
Why This Matters
Helping the Wallington block achieve RTM was about more than just cutting costs. It was about fairness, accountability, and making sure leaseholders finally had a voice in how their homes are run.
Today, the block is managed transparently, with compliant works, proper reserve planning, and residents who feel confident about where their money is going.
For me, this case proves the power of RTM — and why I’m so committed to supporting leaseholders across the UK to take back control of their buildings.
