Freehold.Pro and using a managing agent are two ways to run a block in the UK. A managing agent takes over day to day management for a fee. Freehold.Pro is built forsmall blocks and RTM companies that want to keep control with service charge accounting compliance and a resident portal without outsourcing to an agent.
Freehold.Pro is built for small blocks (3–10 flats) and RTM.Service charge accounting compliance scheduling resident portal and per-block pricing with no per-user fees.
A managing agent is a professional service that runs the block for you including accounts compliance and resident communication. You pay a management fee and hand over day to day control to the agent.
Bottom Line...
For RTM companies and small blocks that want to stay in control Freehold.Pro is the better fit. For blocks that prefer to outsource management to a professional a managing agent may suit.
Choose Freehold.Pro if you are an RTM company or share of freehold that wants to keep control of block management with service charge accounting compliance and a resident portal without paying a managing agent to run the block for you.
Choose a managing agent if you prefer to outsource day to day block management to a professional and are happy to pay a management fee and hand over control of accounts compliance and resident communication.
For self managed blocks that want to stay in control Freehold.Pro is usually the better fit. For blocks that prefer to delegate to a professional managing agent is the traditional option.
Directors don't realise they are legally responsible.
Small RTM companies often unknowingly miss fire safety checks, records, and documentation requirements. Freehold.Pro structures and logs these automatically.
The admin slowly becomes a second job.
Volunteer directors end up acting as accountants, secretaries, and compliance officers. Freehold.Pro centralises everything so directors spend minutes per week, not hours.
Leaseholders start questioning the accounts.
Most disputes in small blocks come from unclear service charge records. Freehold.Pro gives every leaseholder visibility into spending and documents.
The only escape feels like hiring a managing agent.
Many blocks appoint managing agents just to cope with admin. Freehold.Pro lets blocks stay self-managed without losing organisation.
Most small RTM and self-managed blocks don't need a managing agent, they need a simple system to stay compliant and organised. Freehold.Pro was designed specifically for 3–50 unit buildings.
Get started freeA managing agent is a professional who runs the block for a fee. They handle accounts compliance resident communication and often use their own software and processes. Freehold.Pro is software that lets RTM directors and boards run the block themselves with service charge accounting compliance and a resident portal. If you want to outsource and have one point of contact an agent fits. If you want to keep control and visibility in house Freehold.Pro gives you the tools without handing the block to a third party.
A managing agent uses their own systems and staff to run accounts compliance and communication. Freehold.Pro automates block workflows for directors so they can run service charge cycles compliance schedules and resident updates themselves. Both reduce chaos. An agent does the work for you. Freehold.Pro gives you the tools to do it and stay in control.
A managing agent is responsible for helping the block stay compliant and often holds records and schedules. Freehold.Pro gives directors their own compliance schedules reminders and audit trail so they can see what is due and what is done. Both support compliance. With an agent you rely on their processes. With Freehold.Pro you keep the evidence and schedule in your block workspace.
Day to day a managing agent handles enquiries accounts and compliance and reports to the board. Freehold.Pro lets directors and the board see money tasks and resident communication in one block centric view. Both keep the block running. An agent adds a layer between directors and the block. Freehold.Pro puts directors in direct contact with the data and residents.
Freehold.Pro wins when you want to keep control of block management have the capacity to use software and prefer not to pay ongoing management fees or hand the block to an agent.
A managing agent wins when you prefer to outsource block management to a professional and are happy to pay a fee and delegate day to day control.
Freehold.Pro is ideal for small blocks where directors are willing to use software and want to stay in control. A managing agent can suit small blocks that prefer to delegate and have budget for fees.
Both can work. Freehold.Pro scales to a few blocks. Larger or more complex blocks may choose an agent for dedicated resource and expertise.
Freehold.Pro is designed for RTM and shared freehold with director control at the centre. RTM companies can use an agent but then delegate the very control RTM was set up to take back.
Freehold.Pro is not a landlord portfolio tool. A managing agent typically manages blocks not individual landlord portfolios though some agents do both.
The transparency that Freehold.Pro brings is it greatest feature (imo)
John Hewitt
Block Manager
BN3 1AH
Having everything in one place is an absolute gamechanger, no more searching through email threads to find important documents
Richard Harrison
Director
TCD Property Ltd
Freehold.Pro cut our admin time by half.
Jane Smith
Director
ABC RTM Ltd
