In short

We charge an annual management fee per building, set out in writing with the full scope, plus VAT. Services outside the core scope are listed and priced in the same proposal, and technical work that needs a qualified specialist is appointed separately. We do not take commissions from contractors, and any payment connected with insurance is disclosed in writing.

How the fee is set

After an initial call, and a visit where appropriate, we look at what the building needs and agree the level of service with the board. The fee is set out in the management agreement, reviewed annually, and is never a percentage of what the building spends.

What affects the fee

Number of flats	Much of the work is per building rather than per flat, so small buildings usually cost more per flat.
Building services	Lifts, communal heating, fire alarm systems, gates and plant add inspections, contracts and compliance checks.
Height and complexity	Taller and mixed-use buildings carry extra fire safety and, in some cases, Building Safety Act duties.
Condition and history	Arrears, disputes, missing records or overdue safety actions mean more work in the first year.
Level of involvement	How many inspections, board meetings and reports the directors want.

Included, extra or specialist

Included in the management fee	Priced separately, agreed in advance	Separately appointed specialists
Budget, demands, collection and credit control before the formal legal stage Supplier payments, client account reconciliation and preparation for year-end accounts Regular inspections and day-to-day repairs Compliance register: checks booked and tracked Buildings insurance renewal through several brokers First notification and routine coordination of insurance claims Service contracts such as cleaning, gardening and lift maintenance Quarterly director report and monthly financial tracker Leaseholder enquiries and complaints	Major works coordination and Section 20 consultation Management of substantial insurance claims Sale packs (LPE1), normally paid by the selling leaseholder Lease consents, normally paid by the leaseholder applying Formal legal recovery of arrears, charged to the leaseholder where the lease allows Additional board meetings or AGMs beyond those agreed	Building surveyor or engineer: surveys, design, specification, contract administration and certification Fire risk assessor, asbestos surveyor and other compliance specialists Independent accountant for certification of year-end accounts Solicitors for legal advice and proceedings Valuer for reinstatement cost assessments

Specialist costs are building costs, paid through the service charge where the lease allows, and are recommended to the board before anyone is appointed.

What we never do

Charge the core management fee as a percentage of your annual service charge spending.
Take commissions or referral fees from contractors.
Receive insurance-related payments without disclosing them in writing.
Add charges that were not set out in the agreement or approved in advance.

How this compares

Fees published by London managing agents commonly fall somewhere between about £200 and £500 per flat per year plus VAT for a standard block, and more for small or complex buildings. Our guide on how much block management costs explains how to compare quotes like for like. Often the bigger saving is not the management fee but better tendering of insurance, cleaning and maintenance contracts.