For many leaseholders, 2026 is looking to be a decisive year. With reforms lifting long standing barriers, and confidence growing among residents who want greater oversight of their buildings, the right to manage has become more than a legal mechanism, it is an opportunity to reshape how your block is run.
Leaseholders in Tunbridge Wells and across Kent and the South East are exploring what it means to regain control, reduce uncertainty and secure the standards they expect using Kent block management support. With the complexities around building management evolving fast, this is a moment when clarity, expertise and the right guidance matter more than ever.
Why More Leaseholders are Considering RTM in 2026
Several shifts are prompting leaseholders to revisit how their building is managed.
Common reasons leaseholders pursue RTM include:
- Feeling disconnected from decisions on service charges, maintenance priorities or long term planning
- Wanting more transparency over financial management and contractor selection
A desire for modern, proactive management that reflects how people live today - The need for greater responsiveness, clearer communication and long term asset protection
How the RTM Process Works
While the right to manage is grounded in legislation, the practical steps are surprisingly straightforward when handled correctly. Leaseholders create an RTM company, invite fellow residents to participate, and formally notify the freeholder. Once timelines pass and the handover is confirmed, the new management structure takes effect, and leaseholders can appoint their chosen managing agent.
Key Stages Typically Include
- Appointing a management partner with the right expertise and capacity
- Obtaining legal support where required
- Forming the RTM company and securing leaseholder participation
- Serving the correct notices within statutory timeframes
- Coordinating the handover of records, accounts and ongoing works
- Establishing new communication channels, reporting standards and maintenance planning
Handled well, this transition does not just change who runs the building, it resets the culture of how the building is cared for.
Why Choosing the Right Managing Agent Matters
Taking control through RTM is not about managing the building yourselves, it is about choosing who will manage it for you. The managing agent you appoint will set the pace and effectiveness of everything that follows. That is why so many leaseholders across Kent, Tunbridge Wells and the wider region seek support from a team that understands the weight of the responsibility.
A Strong Managing Agent Will
- Provide transparent financial reporting with no hidden costs
- Plan maintenance proactively rather than reacting to problems
- Ensure compliance is always up to date
- Communicate clearly, regularly and honestly
- Create a calm, structured and well governed environment for all residents
For leaseholders considering RTM for the first time, this support often proves invaluable. It turns a legal process into a positive, well managed step forward.
How Presence & Co. Helps Leaseholders Take Control
Leaseholders pursuing the right to manage often describe the experience as both empowering and technical. We, at Presence & Co., bridge that gap with an approach that is measured, transparent and genuinely collaborative. Our role is not only to help your building transition smoothly, but to ensure the long-term management reflects your expectations and aspirations. We bring clarity to the process, structure to the handover and consistency to the ongoing stewardship of your building.
Presence & Co. Supports RTM Groups By
- Guiding leaseholders through the early stages and helping them understand what RTM means in practice
- Planning the transition from the earliest possible moment to minimise disruption
- Managing all aspects of service charge administration, contractor oversight, compliance checks and maintenance scheduling
- Establishing open communication lines so leaseholders always know what is happening and why
- Creating a long term roadmap that enhances the building’s value, condition and reputation
Whether your building is a period conversion or a modern block, our approach remains the same, organised, transparent and practical.
Where Presence & Co. Brings Particular Value is in Helping Leaseholders Visualise the Future Management of their Building in Practical Terms
- What would financial reporting look like under a new regime?
- How would maintenance cycles be established and monitored?
- What communication channels would suit the building best?
We also understand that each building has its own character. A period conversion with irregular layouts, for example, has very different management needs compared with a modern apartment block with extensive shared facilities. We, at Presence & Co., bring a sensitivity to these nuances, shaping management structures that feel genuinely appropriate for the building rather than forcing it into a generic mould. The result is an approach where leaseholders feel heard, where their building’s quirks are embraced rather than overlooked, and where management becomes a natural extension of how residents already live.
Is RTM Right for Your Building?
If you are uncertain whether your building qualifies, or if RTM could genuinely improve the way your property is run, now is the perfect moment to explore the options. Not every building needs the right to manage, but those that do often see an immediate difference in how their home feels.
Ask Yourself
- Do you want more say in how service charge funds are used?
- Are you looking for clearer financial reporting?
- Would your building benefit from more proactive maintenance?
- Are residents frustrated with communication or delays?
- Do you want a more modern, structured and transparent management approach?
If the answer to any of these is yes, then exploring the right to manage may be the most impactful decision you make for your building in 2026.
Taking the Next Step with Presence & Co.
The right to manage is more than a technical right, it is a chance to improve the way your building is cared for. Presence & Co. is here to help leaseholders across Kent and the South East make informed, confident decisions. With deep experience in Kent block management, we ensure your RTM journey is structured, positive and expertly managed. If you are ready to explore RTM, or simply want to understand what taking control could look like for your building, our team are here to guide you with genuine expertise.
