Under the Right to Manage (RTM) Regulations 2012 a tenant management organisation (TMO) can be set up by a group of tenants or leaseholders who come together to take over the management or part of the management responsibilities for at least 25 properties in a local area. This could include managing housing services, such as repairs, caretaking, grounds maintenance and rent collection from the council.
Right to manage process
The following steps can be followed by tenants interested in setting up a TMO:
- Tenants consider the options for managing services and engaging with residents and decide if tenant management is the right option for them
- A vote is held which authorises the TMO to serve a RTM proposal notice on the local authority. This notice must propose managing at least 25 homes let on secure Ealing Council tenancies, within the area set out in the notice. The properties referred to in the proposed notice must all be within TMO’s area
- Before a TMO can serve a RTM proposal notice, it must deliver a copy of the notice to every house covered by the notice, so that local residents can see what is proposed.
- The competence of the TMO is assessed by an independent approved assessor
- TMOs need to gain the community’s support and confidence and make sure they develop their priorities in consultation with residents. It is important that they follow good practice on equality and diversity and make genuine efforts to engage with people who may be considered 'difficult to reach'
- If the group is deemed to be competent, affected residents are balloted to confirm community support, ahead of detailed work by the TMO and Ealing Council to finalise arrangements for transfer
- If the TMO secures a majority to proceed, it will write to Ealing Council giving notice that it proposes to exercise its RTM.
- Within 28 days of receiving the proposal notice, Ealing Council must notify the TMO in writing whether it accepts, or refuses, the notice
- Where the proposal notice is accepted, an agreement called a modular management agreement is prepared which sets out which services the TMO will manage. This agreement is then signed and the management responsibility transfers to the TMO
- Once Ealing Council has accepted a proposal notice, the TMO should write to the council requesting support to help it take forward its plans. It can ask for any support it reasonably needs. For example, this could include premises to hold meetings, suitable equipment, training and money to pay for advice in negotiating an agreement
- Ealing Council must notify the TMO of the support it will provide within 28 days of receiving the request; and must then arrange for that support to be provided
TMO
Members of the TMO are unpaid volunteers who want to improve the quality of people’s lives by taking on more responsibility for local services.
The TMO board members are responsible for:
- service delivery
- effective control of public money
- following disability and equalities legislation in all policies and practices
- effective human resourcing issues for employers
- reflecting the views and wishes of residents
Experienced TMOs can provide valuable practical experience on issues such as governance and budget management.
South Acton Community Builders Co-Operative (SCBC)
SCBC is the TMO for the South Acton Estate.
The South Acton estate originally had almost 2,100 homes. Ealing Council took the decision in 2008 to regenerate the area. A ballot of South Acton residents was held in March 2014. Residents voted in favour of the setting up of the TMO.
A 5-year Modular Management Agreement (MMA) between Ealing Council and SCBC was signed in March 2015, and a re-ballot took place in June 2022. Residents voted to keep the TMO.
In June 2025 SCBC held a 10 years of SCBC celebration on the estate.
More information
The government has statutory guidance relating to RTM and setting up a TMO: Right to Manage guidance - GOV.UK
National Federation of Tenant Management Organisations (NFTMO) provides support to TMOs. Over 130 TMOs are members.
If you are interested in setting up a TMO, contact the resident engagement team on 020 8825 6535 or email residentinvolvement@ealing.gov.uk