Many block directors start withExcel or Google Sheets for service charges, contacts, and meeting notes. Freehold.Pro is built specifically forsmall blocks and RTM companies with a resident portal, compliance reminders, and block-centric workflows. Here's how upgrading from spreadsheets compares.
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.
Spreadsheets are flexible and low-cost but offer no resident portal, no built-in compliance reminders, and no block-specific automation. You track everything manually.
Bottom Line...
For RTM companies and self-managed blocks that want less admin and better transparency, Freehold.Pro is the better fit. Spreadsheets can work for very simple blocks if you are happy with manual tracking and no portal.
Choose Freehold.Pro if you run one or a few small blocks (e.g. 3–10 flats), are an RTM company or share-of-freehold, and want service charge accounting, compliance scheduling, and a resident portal without the manual workload of spreadsheets.
Choose spreadsheets if your block is very simple, you are comfortable maintaining formulas and dates yourself, and you do not need a resident portal or compliance reminders.
For self-managed blocks and RTM directors who want less admin and better transparency, Freehold.Pro is the better fit. Spreadsheets can suit minimal setups where manual control is acceptable.
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 freeSpreadsheets are flexible and familiar: you design your own layout for service charges, contacts, and deadlines. Freehold.Pro is built around the block and the leaseholder: service charge accounting, compliance, and resident communication are designed for small blocks and RTM. With spreadsheets, reminders and fire-safety dates depend on you; Freehold.Pro schedules and reminds. Spreadsheets have no resident portal; Freehold.Pro gives leaseholders a single place to see block information.
Spreadsheets do not automate workflows: you enter data, set reminders yourself (or in calendar apps), and chase updates manually. Freehold.Pro automates block-specific workflows: compliance and fire-safety scheduling, resident communications, and document storage tied to the block. For a single block, Freehold.Pro removes much of the manual repetition that spreadsheets require.
RTM directors carry legal responsibilities for fire safety, inspections, and records. With spreadsheets you must track deadlines and store documents yourself. Freehold.Pro is designed to support that: scheduling, reminders, and an audit trail for block compliance. If a fire inspection is due, Freehold.Pro flags it; with spreadsheets you rely on your own system.
Day to day, spreadsheets suit those who like full control and are happy to update sheets and send emails themselves. Freehold.Pro fits directors of one or a few blocks: everything is organised by block and resident, so issuing a service charge, logging a repair, or posting an update stays in one place. Both can track contractor invoices; Freehold.Pro ties them to the block and resident in a structured way.
Freehold.Pro wins when you are an RTM company or self-managed block, want service charge and compliance built for blocks, need a resident portal, and prefer less manual admin than spreadsheets.
Spreadsheets win when your block is very small and simple, you want zero or minimal cost, and you are happy to maintain everything yourself without a portal or compliance automation.
Freehold.Pro is built for small blocks (3–10 flats) with block-centric accounting, compliance, and resident access. Spreadsheets can be used for any size but offer no block-specific structure or portal.
Neither is aimed at very large blocks; Freehold.Pro targets small blocks. Spreadsheets become hard to maintain as complexity grows; Freehold.Pro keeps structure in one system.
Freehold.Pro is designed for RTM companies and share-of-freehold: service charges, compliance, and director responsibilities are central. Spreadsheets are generic; you build what you need.
Freehold.Pro is for block management and leaseholders, not buy-to-let landlords. Spreadsheets are sometimes used by landlords for rent tracking; that is a different use case.
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
