Right to Manage (RTM): Claim Notice, Step by Step

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Quick answer: Right to Manage lets qualifying leaseholders take over the management of their building from the landlord — without proving fault and without paying for it — by forming an RTM company and serving a claim notice under the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002.

If you’re frustrated with how your block is managed, RTM is the no-fault route to control services, maintenance and the managing agent — collectively, through an RTM company.

What is Right to Manage?

A statutory right for leaseholders of flats to acquire the landlord’s management functions via a special “RTM company”. No wrongdoing by the landlord need be shown.

Who qualifies & when

The building must be a self-contained block (or part) where at least two-thirds of the flats are let to qualifying long leaseholders, and non-residential parts are within limits.
Membership of the RTM company must reach the required threshold of qualifying leaseholders before the claim.

Deadlines & key rules

Form an RTM company (with the prescribed articles) and recruit members.
Serve a claim notice on the landlord stating the acquisition date (allowing the statutory minimum periods).
The landlord may serve a counter-notice disputing entitlement; disputes go to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).
Management transfers on the acquisition date if unchallenged or once entitlement is confirmed.

How to claim it — step by step

Check the building and leaseholders qualify.
Set up the RTM company and sign up enough qualifying members.
Give any required invitation notices, then serve the claim notice on the landlord/manager.
Deal with any counter-notice (Tribunal if needed) and take over on the acquisition date.

How Chris helps

Tell Chris about your building and Chris drafts your RTM claim notice and supporting documents to a high, professional standard — you check, sign and serve. Not a law firm.

See it done — an RTM claim notice, drafted in minutes

A Right to Manage claim notice, drafted to a high, professional standard — Chris builds it from your building’s details in minutes. Scroll the sample below.

DRAFTED BY CHRIS · sampleSCROLL ↓

NOTICE OF CLAIM TO ACQUIRE THE RIGHT TO MANAGE

(Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, section 79)

To: Sample Estates Ltd (the landlord)

Given by: Maple Court RTM Company Ltd

1. The RTM company claims to acquire the right to manage the premises known as Maple Court, 1–24 Maple Road, Sampletown.

2. The qualifying tenants who are members of the RTM company are listed in the schedule to this notice.

3. The RTM company intends to acquire the right to manage on 1 October 2026.

4. The landlord may respond by counter-notice by 5 August 2026.

Signed for and on behalf of Maple Court RTM Company Ltd ………………

Illustrative sample with fictional names and details. Chris drafts yours from your own facts; you check, sign and submit.

Draft your claim →

Last reviewed: June 2026 · England & Wales · CIC No. 16566612 — not a law firm.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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