Why We Are Pursuing the Right to Manage (RTM) for Canal & Commercial Wharf

As leaseholders, we believe it is time to take greater control over the management of our homes. Currently, decisions about the running of Canal & Commercial Wharf are made by L&Q, the freeholder, with minimal input from us – the people who live here and pay for the services.

Why Now?
We have experienced a consistent lack of engagement from L&Q on key issues, including:

  • Lack of transparency: We’ve raised repeated questions about the annual service charge budgets and associated costs, but have not received satisfactory answers. We want to ensure funds are spent efficiently and with clear oversight.

  • Fairness: For years, we’ve asked why boat owners do not contribute to the service charge, yet we’ve had no meaningful response. This feels inequitable and unresolved.

  • Energy efficiency: We’ve expressed interest in exploring sustainability and energy-saving initiatives for the development, but these have not been prioritised by L&Q.

  • Ongoing repairs and short-term fixes: Instead of addressing root causes, there seems to be a pattern of patching up issues, leading to recurring breakdowns and poor value for money.

What is RTM and What are the Benefits?
The Right to Manage (RTM) is a legal right under the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002. It allows leaseholders to take over management responsibilities from the freeholder without having to prove mismanagement.

By acquiring the RTM, leaseholders:

  • Gain control over how service charges are spent

  • Choose and appoint their own managing agent

  • Set priorities that reflect the needs of residents – not the freeholder

  • Improve transparency, accountability, and communication

  • Help foster a better, more inclusive community culture

  • Have a greater say in long-term planning, including maintenance and green initiatives

How It Works

  • Because our development has two separate buildings, we are required by law to form two separate RTM companies – one for each building.

  • The current directors are interim directors, responsible solely for setting up the companies and guiding the RTM acquisition process.

  • Once RTM is acquired, we will hold an election for new directors. Any leaseholder can become a director.

  • The RTM companies will operate like any other Residents' Management Company, appointing a professional managing agent to carry out day-to-day tasks on behalf of the residents.

What’s Needed From You
To proceed, we need at least 50% of qualifying leaseholders in each building to join the RTM company. Once we reach this threshold, the legal process typically takes 5–6 months to complete.

Signing up is easy – click your flat number on this page and sign electronically.

This is an opportunity for all of us to take ownership of how our home is run – with better value, more transparency, and resident-focused priorities.

We sincerely hope you’ll support this initiative. If you have any questions, please visit the Contact Us page to get in touch.

Thank you,
The RTM Working Committee