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Right to Manage Companies

Asked by Neil Duncan-JordanLabourMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 27 April 2026UIN 128154

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department has issued to resident management companies on steps to take when a national service maintenance provider (managing agent) refuses to vacate a site following a lawful notice of termination.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook

It is unacceptable for a managing agent to refuse to vacate a site when it loses a contract to another agent. Landlords may seek legal advice on possible courses of action when such circumstances arise. These may include making a formal complaint to the relevant redress scheme or seeking an injunction in the County Court. Leaseholders, including resident directors, can also seek guidance and free initial legal advice from the government-funded Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE).

The previous government’s Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 contains no provisions designed to prevent managing agents using subsidiary, sister, or associated organisations to deliver services.

The draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill contains no provisions relating to embedded management companies. We await the conclusions of the pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Bill being undertaken by the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee and will review the feedback received before publishing a substantive Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill.

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