Dudley Joiner: Right To Manage: Truly the Way Forward?

Leasehold Life is very pleased to welcome Dudley Joiner, founder of the  Right to Manage Federation with his story of how and why the Federation was created and why he believes Right to Manage is truly the way forward.....

"Back in 2005 I provided assistance to residents at a block where my mother-in-law owned a flat.
The freeholder sought to terminate the resident warden service in order to sell the flat and recoup some cash. I led an action group to prevent this move and when all other avenues failed we used RTM and the estate became the first retirement block in the country to achieve Right to Manage. We also took the freeholder to the LVT and in a ground-breaking decision the rent for the warden’s flat was reduced to zero".

"I was subsequently invited to set up a scheme to offer RTM to the retirement sector and the RTMF was born. It has proved so successful we are now offering RTM to all leasehold flat owners from small 2 flat converted houses to purpose built multi storey blocks of 70 flats or more".

"Although we have an ever growing number of working professionals using our services for private blocks of flats we continue to be the market leader in offering RTM to retirement blocks. Due to the unique structure of our scheme, in most cases retirement leaseholders can acquire RTM at no costs to themselves. Even solicitors are turning to our services rather than handle it themselves so we must be doing something right!"

"During the early part of 2010 we worked closely with and supported CarlEX and sponsored a series of regional road shows throughout the south of England where we frequently shared the same platform with the FoPRA and the Housing Ombudsman Service in providing advice and assistance to leaseholders burdened by voracious landlords and poor standards of management from agents such as Peverel and Solitaire".

"My personal belief is that RTM can resolve 99% of all leasehold problems. Most RTM’s we handle in larger blocks do not self-manage but appoint a new managing agent by contract. If the managing agent fails to fulfil expectations the contract can be terminated, which provides the continuing incentive to perform and be competitive".

Alternatives?

"In my view enfranchisement is not really viable in the present climate. At current deferment rates it is too expensive and not worth the candle when RTM can give you management control without all the hassle of valuations and probably LVT hearings as well".

"Commonhold is a nice idea but frankly is just not achievable in its present form. Too many financial institutions and pension funds etc have invested in freeholds and you can’t just sweep it all away overnight anymore than you can do away with the stock market. So although I support commonhold as a concept I do not think it is a workable solution to current issues despite the legislative provisions".

"RTM is a real solution. It is as close as one can get to actually owning the freehold. It can become effective in just 5 months and it really works".

Dudley Joiner is the founder and chief executive of The Right to Manage Federation which  offers a comprehensive low-cost service to leaseholders seeking RTM and has already helped hundreds of leaseholders break free from landlord monopoly and choose their own management.

Tel 01892 704140 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.rtmf.org.uk