Free organisations, helplines, and regulators that exist specifically to help leaseholders and directors.
Building Trust helps you understand your lease and manage your building. But some problems need a solicitor, a tribunal, or a regulator. Knowing where to go is half the battle. These resources are all free or low-cost.
Before you spend money on a solicitor, there are free routes to resolve disputes. These include mandatory redress schemes your agent must belong to.
All managing agents in England must belong to a government-approved redress scheme. TPO handles complaints about managing agents, including service charge disputes, poor communication, and failure to carry out repairs. Your agent must cooperate or face sanctions.
tpos.co.uk →The other government-approved redress scheme. Check which one your agent belongs to. It should be on their website or letterhead. If they're not registered with either, that's itself a breach. Report it to Trading Standards.
theprs.co.uk →The specialist tribunal for leasehold disputes. Handles service charge challenges, management order applications, breach of lease claims, and right-to-manage applications. No solicitor required. Many leaseholders represent themselves. Fees are typically under £300.
gov.uk tribunal →Handles complaints about social housing landlords and registered housing providers. If your freeholder is a housing association, this is your route. Also handles complaints about managing agents appointed by housing associations.
housing-ombudsman.org.uk →Expert advice on leasehold rights, disputes, and obligations. All free, all staffed by people who know the law.
The single best free resource for leaseholders in England and Wales. LEASE provides free initial legal advice on any leasehold issue. Service charges, enfranchisement, right to manage, lease extensions, disputes. Funded by the government. Phone and email advice available.
General advice on housing rights, including leasehold issues. Particularly useful for understanding your rights when facing eviction, dealing with disrepair, or navigating benefit entitlements related to service charges. Online chat and local bureau appointments available.
Expert housing advice covering disrepair, eviction, and tenant rights. Particularly helpful if you're a subletting leaseholder with tenant issues, or if you're facing legal action. Free helpline and webchat.
Connects people who cannot afford a solicitor with lawyers willing to help for free. Useful for complex leasehold disputes or enfranchisement cases where professional legal help is needed but costs are prohibitive.
lawworks.org.uk →If you're a director responsible for a building, fire safety is a personal legal obligation. These regulators and resources will help you understand what's required.
Established under the Building Safety Act 2022. Oversees safety in higher-risk buildings (18m+ / 7+ storeys). Even if your building is below the threshold, BSR guidance sets the standard for fire safety management. Check if your building is in scope.
gov.uk/bsr →Your local fire and rescue service can provide guidance on fire risk assessments, escape routes, and building safety. In London, LFB also enforces fire safety law and can audit your building. If you're a director and unsure about your FRA obligations, start here.
london-fire.gov.uk →Free guidance documents on fire risk assessments for residential buildings, including purpose-built blocks of flats. The "Sleeping Accommodation" guide is particularly relevant for converted Victorian properties and HMOs.
nationalfirechiefs.org.uk →RICS publishes guidance on fire risk assessment for residential managing agents and directors. Their "Fire Safety in Purpose-Built Blocks of Flats" guidance note covers the responsibilities most RTM and SoF directors need to understand.
rics.org →If you're a director of a Right to Manage company, Share of Freehold company, or Residents' Management Company, these resources cover your company law obligations.
Your management company must file annual confirmation statements and accounts. Late filings can lead to fines, strikes off the register, and personal liability for directors. Check your company's status and filing deadlines here.
gov.uk/companies-house →If you're looking for a professional managing agent or want to understand what good management looks like, ARMA sets industry standards. Their member directory can help you find accredited agents if you're unhappy with your current one.
arma.org.uk →A membership body specifically for RTM companies, RMCs, and residents' associations that manage their own buildings. Provides legal advice, template documents, and practical guidance for self-managed blocks. Annual membership from £50.
fpra.org.uk →As a director holding resident data (names, addresses, occupancy, financial records), your company may need to register with the ICO. Most RTM and management companies qualify for the free tier, but you must still register. Non-registration is a criminal offence.
ico.org.uk →Sometimes you need professional legal help. These directories help you find solicitors who specialise in leasehold and property law.
Search for solicitors by specialism and location. Filter for "Landlord and tenant | residential" or "Leasehold enfranchisement" to find specialists. Always check reviews and get a fixed-fee quote before instructing.
solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk →If you're buying your freehold (collective enfranchisement) or extending your lease, ALEP members are specialists. They also include specialist valuers who can advise on the price you should expect to pay for the freehold.
alep.org.uk →Here's a simple way to think about it: understand the problem first, then decide who can help.
If you need to know what your lease says about a specific issue. Service charges, subletting, insurance, repairs. Start here.
If you need a human to talk to about your rights, your options, or what to do next. These organisations are free and know the law.
If you're a director and need to know what you're responsible for, what's overdue, and what's coming up. That's what BLOCK-iQ does.