# Managing agent

A business paid to manage a block of flats on behalf of whoever is responsible for it, such as the freeholder, an RTM company or a residents' management company.

Also called: property manager, block manager, managing agents.

An agent acts for its client, not for the leaseholders, although its fees are usually paid from the service charge. People often say "management company" when they mean the managing agent, which causes confusion with a [residents' management company](https://runyourblock.co.uk/glossary/residents-management-company).

## What agents usually do

Collect service charges, prepare budgets, arrange repairs and contractors, handle insurance, keep accounts, run Section 20 consultations and deal with leaseholders' questions. The company that hires them stays legally responsible.

## Rules that apply to agents

- In England, anyone doing property management work in the course of a business must belong to a **government-approved redress scheme**.
- The **RICS Service Charge Residential Management Code** sets the standard expected of anyone managing residential blocks, agents included.

## Self-managing instead

Directors of an RTM company or residents' management company can run the block themselves, hire an agent for everything, or hire one for particular jobs only (such as accounts or major works). An agent's contract lasting more than 12 months may need [Section 20](https://runyourblock.co.uk/glossary/section-20-consultation) consultation. See [Managing agent or self-manage?](https://runyourblock.co.uk/guides/running-your-block/managing-agent-or-self-manage).

## Related terms

- [Residents' management company (RMC)](https://runyourblock.co.uk/glossary/residents-management-company)
- [RTM company](https://runyourblock.co.uk/glossary/rtm-company)
- [Qualifying long-term agreement](https://runyourblock.co.uk/glossary/qualifying-long-term-agreement)
- [RICS Service Charge Residential Management Code](https://runyourblock.co.uk/glossary/rics-code)

## Sources

- [Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013, s.84 (property management work)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2013/24/section/84)
- [Redress Schemes for Lettings Agency Work and Property Management Work (Requirement to Belong to a Scheme etc) (England) Order 2014](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/2359/article/5)
- [RICS Service charge residential management code](https://www.rics.org/profession-standards/rics-standards-and-guidance/sector-standards/real-estate-standards/service-charge-residential-management-code)

---

Updated 22 October 2026. Source: https://runyourblock.co.uk/glossary/managing-agent