Manchester’s property market and the role of Right To Manage companies
Widely recognised as one of the UK’s fastest-growing cities, Manchester and its property market has been transformed over the past decade or so. Large-scale regeneration projects, expanding neighbourhoods, and a thriving private rental sector have brought thousands of new homes to the market. Against this backdrop, the Right to Manage (RTM) process is emerging as a practical and attractive way for leaseholders to gain greater control of their buildings. This brief RTM Manchester Guide explains the role of Right to Manage in the city’s evolving residential landscape, how leaseholders can benefit, and its impact on property management in Manchester.
Under the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, qualifying leaseholders can form a Right to Manage company to take over many of the responsibilities usually held by the freeholder. This can include appointing a property managing agent, setting maintenance priorities, overseeing compliance, and ensuring service charges are used transparently.
Importantly, leaseholders do not need to prove poor management by the freeholder. If the building meets the criteria of being self-contained, with at least two flats, two-thirds on long leases, and has majority support, then residents can take forward an application to manage their own building via an RTM company.
The context in Manchester makes RTM particularly relevant for residential block management. New neighbourhoods such as New Islington, Middlewood Locks, and the Northern Gateway are seeing major investment, with high-density apartment schemes bringing hundreds of leaseholders together under shared service charge structures. These buildings often feature a mix of private ownership and rental tenure, making oversight and transparency especially valuable. In such developments, an RTM gives residents the ability to take a more active role in how their buildings are maintained and services delivered.
Beyond the city centre, areas like Chorlton, Prestwich, and Sale continue to see new blocks of apartments alongside older purpose-built flats. Here too, RTM property management offers leaseholders a chance to influence decisions, from the upkeep of communal gardens and car parks to the long-term planning of repairs and refurbishments. Whether in a new high-rise neighbourhood or a suburban block of flats, RTM offers flexibility that adapts to the type and scale of the building.
For Manchester leaseholders, there are numerous advantages to pursuing RTM. These include greater transparency and oversight, better value for money through competitive service contracts, and the ability to align building management with leaseholders’ investment priorities. Just as importantly, Right to Manage Companies in Manchester can foster community, encouraging leaseholders to collaborate on decisions that affect their shared homes.
However, greater control brings significant responsibility. Running an RTM company involves complying with health and safety regulations particularly those brought in by the Building Safety Act 2022, setting and managing budget and service charge levels, and ensuring long-term maintenance plans are in place. Many RTM groups therefore work alongside an established property management company, with broad experience in residential block management and residential estate management, to provide professional, locally based expertise, while allowing leaseholders to remain in charge.
At Rendall & Rittner, we have extensive experience working with RTM groups and leaseholder-led companies across the UK. With over 90,000 homes under management, we provide tailored property management services, transparent financial reporting, and responsive customer care. For those seeking property management in Manchester, we support RTMs through company formation, governance, and the day-to-day management of their buildings. With our proven building safety competence we are a trusted partner in keeping residents safe and ensuring RTM companies and their directors are compliant.
Both Savills and Knight Frank forecast Manchester to lead the UK regions in house price and rental growth over the coming years, with the North West projected to see increases of more than 20% by the end of the decade. As the value of homes continues to rise, having control and oversight of block management in Manchester becomes even more important. By exercising the RTM process, Manchester leaseholders can not only improve day-to-day services, but also safeguard the long-term value of their valuable asset, especially if they work with an experienced, reputable managing agent such as Rendall & Rittner.
