So That You Can Take Control of Your Building

🔎 Why Your Service Charges Feel Like a Bad Joke (But You’re the One Paying the Punchline)

Ever feel like you're shelling out thousands a year in service charges and in return, getting little more than the occasional hedge trim and a communal hallway that smells vaguely of damp regrets? You're not alone.

Across the UK, leaseholders are increasingly frustrated with managing agents who promise the world and deliver a wobbly mop and a questionable invoice. In 2025, with new legislation tightening around leasehold reform and the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill on the horizon, now is the time to reassess who really holds the keys to your building’s future.

⚠️ The Core Problem: You're Paying Premiums, But You're Not in Control

If you're living in a leasehold flat, chances are you're paying a third-party managing agent to maintain the building. But here's the kicker: many agents are appointed by the freeholder—not you. That means:

  • You have little say over what services are provided
  • You can't easily contest rising costs
  • Decisions about your home are made by people who may have never set foot in it

It’s like being billed for champagne while being served tap water—and not even the cold kind.

📈 What the Data Says

According to the Leasehold Knowledge Partnership, over 57% of leaseholders surveyed in the UK reported being unhappy with their managing agent. And complaints to the Property Ombudsman about poor property management rose by 11% in 2024 alone.

With the upcoming reforms aiming to make Right to Manage (RTM) more accessible, more leaseholders are realising they can stop being passive customers and start acting like stakeholders.

💡 So, What Is Right to Manage (RTM)?

RTM is your legal right, as leaseholders, to take control of the management of your building—without needing to prove mismanagement or buy the freehold. It allows you to:

  • Choose your own managing agent (or self-manage)
  • Control how your service charges are spent
  • Improve maintenance standards and communication
  • Potentially lower costs by shopping around for better service

✅ Real-Life Example: The House of Cracks and Creeping Mould

A block of 14 leaseholders in South London were paying over £300/month each in service charges. Common areas were rarely cleaned. Repairs took months. And when a resident slipped on mouldy stair tiles, the agent blamed the weather.

Enter RTM. With guidance from Neon Property Services, they formed an RTM company, appointed a new managing agent, and within 3 months:

  • Reduced service charges by at least 25%
  • Got the roof leak fixed in a week
  • Introduced a transparent budgeting system with quarterly reviews

As one leaseholder said, “It finally feels like we live in a place where someone actually cares.”

⚡ Actionable Steps: How to Take Control Without Losing Your Mind

1. Rally the Troops

  • You need at least 50% of leaseholders in the building to agree to form an RTM company
  • Don’t worry—it’s easier than organising a neighbourhood BBQ

2. Appoint a Service Partner

  • Working with a professional like Neon Property Services means you don’t have to be the legal or logistical expert. They guide you through every step

3. Serve Notice

  • A formal notice is served to the freeholder. They can’t refuse it, but they can challenge it on technical grounds—which is why getting expert support is crucial

4. Celebrate With Real Champagne (Optional but Recommended)

✨ Why Neon Property Services?

At Neon, we’ve helped hundreds of leaseholders break free from the cycle of expensive, sub-par property management. Our RTM support packages are designed to:

  • Handle the legal and procedural side
  • Provide strategic advice and communication materials to win leaseholder support
  • Connect you with trusted managing agents who actually show up

We’re not just here for the switch—we’re here to help you thrive long after the takeover.

🙌 Ready to Stop Paying for Disappointment?

You deserve better. Whether you’re curious about RTM or ready to make a move, let’s talk. Book a free 15-minute discovery call with our RTM advisors today and get a clear path forward.

→ Schedule Your Call

→ Check: "Is Your Block Ready for RTM?" and take the first step toward control, clarity, and actual value.

Neon Property Services
Helping leaseholders raise the bar (and lower the service charges).