How to Run a Small Block (Under 30 Flats) Without a Managing Agent

Managing agents charge £3,000–£8,000 a year for a small block — and plenty of directors feel they end up doing the work anyway. For blocks under thirty flats with willing volunteers, self-management can save money and improve responsiveness. But only if you are organised.

What you still need professionally

• An accountant for year-end accounts and service charge reconciliation.
• A solicitor for lease issues, Section 20 notices and company filings.
• Qualified contractors for gas, electrics, lifts and fire safety.
• Buildings insurance arranged through a broker who understands leasehold.

What directors can do themselves

• Day-to-day communication with residents.
• Arranging routine maintenance and getting quotes.
• Running votes on works and expenditure.
• Keeping records: minutes, accounts, insurance and contracts.
• Forwarding contractor emails into resident updates.

The self-management stack

You do not need expensive software. You need: one place for announcements, one for votes, one for documents, and a company bank account. That is it. The blocks that fail at self-management usually fail on communication, not competence.

Built for small self-managed blocks

CommonCouncil is free during early access and designed for blocks exactly like yours — 20 to 60 flats, volunteer directors, no appetite for enterprise software. Set it up in minutes and run your building from your phone.