Introduction

If you’re a director of a Right to Manage (RTM) company, you already know it’s not always easy. The idea sounds great – leaseholders take control of their block, no more dealing with an unresponsive freeholder, or managing agent who can’t seem to be bothered. The attractiveness of right to manage is that decisions stay in the hands of the people who actually live there. But the reality? Collecting service charges, balancing the books, chasing payments, and organising repairs can be overwhelming. The good news is you don’t have to do it all alone. In this blog, we’ll look at the struggles RTM directors face and why using expert support like ServiceChargeSorted.co.uk can take the stress away.

Why is self-managing service charges so stressful for RTM directors?

Because it’s a lot to juggle. You’re expected to handle demanding neighbours, issue service charge demands correctly, keep money in trust accounts, and stay on top of legal obligations. All this while doing your own day job and living your life. It’s no wonder many RTM directors feel burnt out. Broadly speaking you need to have the skills of an accountant, surveyor, landlord and tenant lawyer, company secretary and be a good politician and forever optimist too.

What are the risks of self-managing service charges—and do RTM directors have to do everything themselves?

Managing service charges isn’t just stressful, it’s risky if done incorrectly. If charges aren’t demanded properly, leaseholders can legally refuse to pay. If money isn’t kept in trust, directors could even face personal liability. On top of that, poor record-keeping can lead to disputes, tribunals, or fines—turning an already demanding role into a financial and legal minefield.

The good news? RTM directors don’t have to shoulder all this themselves. The law allows RTM companies to appoint managing agents to handle the day-to-day tasks—like issuing service charge demands, keeping funds safe, preparing accounts, and organising repairs. That way, directors retain overall control while professionals handle the complex admin. For larger blocks this is almost essential, while smaller blocks often struggle because traditional agents’ minimum fees can be prohibitive.

How can professional help make service charge management easier?

Professional managing agents or platforms like ServiceChargeSorted.co.uk bring systems and experience. They know how to issue demands correctly, keep funds safe, and prepare the accounts in line with the law. That takes the pressure off directors and reduces the risk of mistakes.

What is different about ServiceChargeSorted.co.uk is that it is the brainchild of the Ringley Group, one of London’s leading managing agents. What they have done is distilled the essentials that every block needs, however big or small it is and then used tech to digitalise this so it operates like online banking with the RTM directors fully in control of spending decisions – but without having to take on the administrative burden of demands, banking, chasing monies, reconciling the bank account, preparing the accounts, paying the invoices etc…

Is it fair to leaseholders if an RTM company uses outside help?

Yes – in fact, it’s usually fairer. Every RTM has a vision of taking control, setting the budget, plotting its future – but a RTM does not set itself up for the purpose of a few volunteer directors doing all the work and subsidising the service charge of others.

When professionals are involved, leaseholders get clearer accounts, scripted messaging, an accounts team to trace lost payments, faster responses, and proper transparency – such as the ability using a portal to put invoices online for all to see.

Directors don’t burn out, and everyone gets better value from the service charges. It also helps avoid conflicts between neighbours because the money is being managed independently.

What's the next step for RTM directors who feel stuck?

If self-managing has become a nightmare, it’s time to explore other options. That might mean appointing a traditional managing agent, or trying a modern, transparent service like ServiceChargeSorted.co.uk. Either way, you don’t have to keep struggling on your own – there really is another way.

Being an RTM director shouldn’t feel like a second full-time job. If managing the service charges is wearing you down, remember that help is out there. With the right support, you can keep the benefits of RTM while handing over the stress. That way, your block is well looked after, your neighbours are happy, and you can finally get your evenings back.

If self-managing has become overwhelming, you're not alone—and you're not out of options. Yes, you could appoint a traditional managing agent, but that often means losing the transparency and control you worked so hard to gain through Right to Manage.

That’s where ServiceChargeSorted.co.uk offers the best of both worlds.

It gives RTM directors the tools and legal support to run their block properly—without burning out. From issuing compliant service charge demands and chasing arrears (with the help of Ringley Law), to managing the books, reconciling payments, and handling Companies House filings, everything is taken care of through a simple, secure online platform.

You stay in control—but the admin, stress, and legal risk are off your plate.

Being an RTM director shouldn’t feel like a second job. With ServiceChargeSorted.co.uk, you get your evenings—and your peace of mind—back. It’s time to stop struggling and start managing smarter.