Rising to the Reform Challenge: Why Transparency, Tech and Trust Will Define the Future of Block Management
The UK’s leasehold sector is undergoing a dramatic transformation. With landmark legislation like the Ground Rent Act 2022 and the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, the expectations placed on managing agents are rising sharply. For those in block and estate management, the message is clear: delivering basic compliance is no longer enough.
This evolving landscape is bringing long-overdue improvements to leaseholder rights. Service charge transparency, improved rights to manage, and the regulation of ground rents all signal a shift toward fairer and more resident-centric property management. As we look ahead, the potential for even more sweeping changes - including a move away from leasehold altogether - is firmly on the table.
The Shift in Leaseholder Expectations
For leaseholders, the changes are about more than legislation. There is growing pressure on managing agents to communicate more clearly, act more transparently, and deliver genuine value for money. Leaseholders want to understand how their buildings are being run, where their money is going, and whether they’re being treated fairly.
The traditional model of block management - distant, opaque, and process-heavy - no longer meets the needs of today’s residents. Trust must be earned. And for managing agents, the only way forward is to raise standards and adapt.
As Rosie-May Flamson from Glide put it at UKREiiF 2025:
“We’re giving people more information – not just because you have to, but because why wouldn’t you?”
Glide’s Approach: Adapting Ahead of Reform
At Glide, we’re not waiting to be told to improve. We’ve already begun reshaping the way we deliver services to meet – and exceed – new expectations.
Our focus starts with clarity. Residents and clients deserve straightforward financial reporting, meaningful communication, and answers without delay. We provide clear service charge breakdowns, timely updates, and a commitment to openness at every stage.
We also recognise that professionalism and accountability matter more than ever. Our regional teams receive continuous training to stay ahead of both legal change and evolving client needs. By freeing up time from repetitive tasks, we ensure our staff can focus on service – building trust and responding personally to what residents’ care about most.
And importantly, we’re aligning ourselves with the spirit of the reforms, not just the letter of the law. We believe that good management means anticipating future expectations, not just reacting to current requirements.
As Matt Lewis from the FPRA noted during the UKREiiF panel discussion:
“There are companies out there – LRG is one of them – that are leaning into the reforms, looking at the consumer and adapting the way they behave accordingly.”
Looking Ahead
The leasehold model may well be phased out entirely in the years ahead. But whether that happens, the direction of travel is clear: residents will continue to demand more transparency, more professionalism, and more control.
For developers, freeholders and RMCs, now is the time to ensure your managing agent is ready for the future.
At Glide, we already are.