Law firm Bishop & Sewell is hosting a webinar to give leaseholders information and advice about the Right to Manage, a statutory process which gives leaseholders a collective right to take over the management of their building and take back control of costs and expenditure. 

Delivered by Partners Mark Chick and Chris Macartney from the firm’s Landlord and Tenant team, and supported by guest expert Mark Loveday – a barrister at Tanfield Chambers – the free online webinar ‘Leasehold Question Time – Understanding the Right to Manage’ will take place on Thursday 18 April 2024 between 5pm and 6pm. 

Chick, the senior partner and head of the landlord and tenant team at Bishop & Sewell, says: “The Right to Manage is a statutory no-fault right introduced by the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, and provides a useful alternative to buying the freehold as there is no capital outlay (other than costs).  

“Exercising the Right to Manage enables leaseholders to take over management of the building – even without the agreement of the landlord – putting them in control of their own destiny as regards management expenditure.  

“However, exercising the Right to Manage is far from straightforward and the Government has recently looked at changing or reforming these rights with the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill, which is currently progressing through Parliament. The biggest proposed change is that buildings with up to half of the property in non-residential (e.g. commercial) use would now qualify for these rights. 

“This webinar – aimed primarily at leaseholders – will consider the position generally as regards the Right to Manage, including  qualification and how leaseholders can exercise the right. We will also consider the practicalities and discuss how the law may evolve as and when these proposed reforms come into effect.” 

Subjects to be covered include the Right to Manage (RTM) eligibility criteria for leaseholders and buildings; the process of establishing an RTM company, including the service of formal notices and meeting legal requirements; challenges and complexities associated with the RTM process; the roles and responsibilities of the RTM company in managing a building; and the transfer of management functions from freeholders or landlords to the RTM company.

Further information about the webinar and information on how to book a place can be found at: https://www.bigmarker.com/bishop-and-sewell-llp/Understanding-the-Right-to-Manage