In short
Fees published by London managing agents in 2025–26 commonly fall somewhere between about £200 and £500 per flat per year plus VAT for a standard residential block, with smaller buildings often paying more per flat or a minimum annual fee, and blocks with lifts, concierge or complex compliance paying more. The fee alone tells you little: what matters is what it includes.
Typical fees
There is no official price list, and published ranges vary widely. The main drivers are:
- Number of flats: much of the work is per building, so small blocks cost more per flat.
- Complexity: lifts, communal heating, mixed-use elements, taller buildings and Building Safety Act duties all add work.
- Condition and history: buildings with arrears, disputes or overdue works need more attention.
- Scope: how many inspections, meetings and reports are included.
How fees are structured
Residential management fees are normally a fixed annual fee, usually expressed per flat, and the RICS Service Charge Residential Management Code expects fees to be agreed and transparent rather than a percentage of whatever the building spends. Be cautious of percentage-based management fees on routine spend: they reward higher costs. Major works project management is different, and is often priced as a percentage of the contract or a fixed fee agreed for the project.
What should be included in the core fee
- Budgets, service charge demands, collection and year-end accounts preparation.
- Paying suppliers and reconciling the client account.
- Regular inspections and handling day-to-day repairs.
- Managing the compliance register: fire risk assessment, water, electrical, lift and other checks.
- Arranging buildings insurance renewal.
- Service contracts such as cleaning and gardening.
- Reporting to directors and dealing with leaseholder enquiries.
What is usually charged extra
- Major works project management and Section 20 consultation.
- Sale packs (LPE1) for conveyancing, usually paid by the selling leaseholder.
- Lease consents, legal recovery of arrears and tribunal work.
- Additional meetings beyond those agreed, and out-of-hours attendance.
Ask every agent for a written list of additional charges. A low headline fee with long lists of extras can cost more than a higher all-in fee.
Comparing quotes
- Compare the same scope: inspections, meetings, reporting and what is included in major works.
- Ask about commissions from insurers, brokers or contractors, and how they are disclosed.
- Check client money protection and redress scheme membership, and ask to see the certificates.
- Look at the total service charge, not just the management fee: better tendering of insurance and contracts often saves more than the fee difference.
Our managing agent health check and 12 questions to ask help with the comparison.
How EKIN prices
We quote a fixed annual management fee per building, set out in writing with the list of what is included and what is priced separately. We start by reviewing your current agreement and service contracts: our aim is a better-run building without paying more overall.
Last reviewed 2026-09-23 against the sources listed. This page is general information about England and is not legal advice; the lease for your building always comes first.