Right to Manage (RTM) lets qualifying leaseholders take over building management in England and Wales. Use this checklist to prepare information before seeking advice or serving notices.
Check the building and leases
- Check that the premises are a self-contained building or a qualifying self-contained part. Get advice on connected buildings; independent management alone is not the test.
- At least two flats must be held by qualifying tenants, and at least two-thirds of all flats must be held by qualifying tenants. Long leases generally qualify if originally granted for more than 21 years.
- No more than 50% of the internal floor area may be non-residential, excluding common parts. This limit replaced 25% on 3 March 2025.
- Check whether a qualifying tenant's immediate landlord is a local housing authority; this prevents RTM. The resident-landlord exception concerns certain converted buildings with at most four units, including non-residential units. Usually the freeholder, or an adult family member, must have occupied a flat as their only or principal home for the past 12 months. Different rules apply after a change of freeholder. Read Schedule 6 (opens in a new tab).
- Get advice if the building already has RTM or an earlier RTM arrangement has ended.
Count membership against all flats
Before the claim notice, company members must include qualifying tenants representing at least half of the total flats. If there are only two qualifying tenants, both must join. The denominator is all flats, not just qualifying tenants.
- Identify qualifying leaseholders, including those who live elsewhere. Keep their contact details secure.
- Explain the company’s responsibilities, expected costs and proposed next steps.
- Use the prescribed RTM company articles for the relevant jurisdiction. Check the invitation, claim-notice sequence and statutory timing with an adviser.
Prepare the records
- Collect lease copies and a checked flat and leaseholder list.
- Request relevant management contracts, insurance and service charge records.
- Record unanswered eligibility questions before preparing notices.
Check director identity verification
Since 18 November 2025, new company directors must verify their identity before incorporation or appointment and supply their Companies House personal code for the filing. Existing directors follow their applicable confirmation-statement timetable; there is no single November 2026 deadline for everyone. Ordinary company members are not covered merely through membership. Check Companies House's identity-verification timetable (opens in a new tab).
Sources and scope
Checked 25 September 2026. England and Wales; this is preparation guidance, not legal advice. Recheck the rules before a claim. LEASE explains eligibility and exclusions. (opens in a new tab) Parliament confirms the 2025 threshold change. (opens in a new tab) Section 79 sets the membership test. (opens in a new tab) Welsh Government explains the Welsh articles changes. (opens in a new tab)
Using Residents Circle
Residents Circle provides document storage, newsletters and issue tracking. Use these to share preparation updates and record maintenance follow-up. Read our Right to Manage guide for more context.
To explore the tools, request a demo.