--- title: "Living Under Management: What It Actually Means for Your Block" url: https://manage.management/blog/living-under-management-what-it-actually-means-for-your-block description: "What living under management means for leaseholders: who the freeholder and managing agent are, what you pay for, and the rights you hold." author: "Franklin Baeza" published: 2026-01-02T11:31:00.000Z updated: 2026-10-29T12:30:05Z categories: ["Block Life","Governance & Compliance"] publisher: Manage.Management language: en-GB --- # Living Under Management: What It Actually Means for Your Block What living under management means for leaseholders: who the freeholder and managing agent are, what you pay for, and the rights you hold. When you buy a leasehold flat in England or Wales, you're not just buying a home you're entering into a legal relationship with a freeholder (landlord) and, in most cases, a managing agent who looks after the building on the freeholder's behalf. ## Key takeaways - Owning a leasehold flat means a legal relationship with a freeholder and, usually, a managing agent who runs the building for them. - Your lease sets out what the landlord must maintain and what you pay towards through the service charge. - Service charges must be reasonable, and you have statutory rights to information and to challenge costs at the First-tier Tribunal. - If management is poor, Right to Manage or buying the freehold can put leaseholders in control. **What Does 'Living Under Management' Mean?** In practical terms, "living under management" means: • Someone else is responsible for maintaining the structure and common parts of your building (roof, walls, hallways, lifts, gardens) • You pay service charges to fund these services • You must follow the terms set out in your lease • A managing agent acts as the day-to-day operator, handling repairs, insurance, accounts, and resident queries The freeholder legally owns the building, but the managing agent does the actual work think of them as the block's operational team. **What Services Does Your Managing Agent Provide?** A good managing agent should: • Arrange regular maintenance (cleaning, gardening, lift servicing) • Organise major works (roof repairs, redecorating) • Manage building insurance • Manage and Collect service charges and maintain a reserve fund • Manage and Respond to resident concerns and emergencies • Ensure fire safety and legal compliance • Hold annual meetings and provide transparent accounts In reality, quality varies enormously. Some agents are responsive and fair; others are slow, expensive, or difficult to reach. **Where Does Your Money Go?** Your service charge covers: • Routine services (cleaning, gardening, utilities for common areas) • Planned maintenance (lift servicing, gutter cleaning) • Major works reserves (future roof or facade work) • Buildings insurance • Management fees (the agent's fee for running everything) You're entitled to see a breakdown of costs. If something looks wrong, you have the right to challenge it first with your agent, then via a First-tier Tribunal if needed. **What Rights Do You Have?** As a leaseholder, you have legal rights: • Right to information: You can request service charge accounts, insurance details, and contractor quotes • Right to consultation: For major works over £250 per flat, your landlord must consult you before proceeding • Right to challenge: If charges seem unreasonable, you can apply to a tribunal • Right to Manage: If you're unhappy with your freeholder's management, you and your neighbours can take over by forming an [RTM company](https://rightto.manage.management) **When Living Under Management Goes Wrong** Common frustrations include: • Poor communication (unanswered emails, no updates on works) • High or unexplained charges • Slow response to repairs or safety issues • Lack of transparency in accounts • Major works with no consultation If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Many leaseholders feel powerless—but there are solutions. **You Have Options** If you're dissatisfied with your current management: 1. Talk to your neighbours. Collective concerns carry more weight. 2. Request information. Get the accounts, contracts, and service charge breakdowns. 3. Challenge unreasonable charges at a First-tier Tribunal. 4. Consider Right to Manage. If enough leaseholders agree, you can take control without needing the freeholder's permission or buying the freehold. Living under management doesn't mean living without control. Understanding how the system works and what your rights are is the first step to improving it. **What's Next?** If you're interested in learning more about taking control of your building's management, explore our guides on [Right to Manage](https://rightto.manage.management) and how modern digital platforms like Manage.Management can help resident-led communities run their blocks efficiently and transparently. Last reviewed: 29 October 2026 by Franklin Baeza, Manage.Management. This article is general information for England and Wales, not legal advice. Check the current position with a qualified adviser before acting. --- Source: [Living Under Management: What It Actually Means for Your Block](https://manage.management/blog/living-under-management-what-it-actually-means-for-your-block) on the Manage.Management blog.