# RTM handover: getting information, contracts and money from the old manager > The law gives an RTM company three handover rights. The old landlord or managing agent must tell contractors and the RTM company about existing management contracts (s.92); must provide the information and documents the company reasonably needs to manage, within 28 days of a request, though not before the acquisition date (s.93); and must pay over the service-charge money it holds that isn't needed for its own period's costs (s.94). Separately, the outgoing responsible person must hand over the building's fire safety information. **Key facts** - s.92: the old manager must give notices about existing contracts to the contractors and to the RTM company. - s.93: ask in writing for the information you need; it must be provided within 28 days of the request, but not before the acquisition date. - s.94: uncommitted service-charge money, including reserves, must be paid on the acquisition date or as soon as reasonably practicable. - Fire Safety Order art 22A: the outgoing responsible person must pass on relevant fire safety information. - Disputes over the amount of money can go to the First-tier Tribunal; failures to comply can lead to a tribunal order. ## Contracts: section 92 Existing contracts between the old manager and contractors, such as cleaning, gardening, lift or fire alarm maintenance, are "management contracts" (s.91). They **don't transfer** to the RTM company. Instead, the old manager must: - give each contractor a **contractor notice**, telling them the RTM company is taking over; and - give the RTM company a **contract notice** with details of each contract. These are due on the date the claim becomes undisputed (or as soon as reasonably practicable after it), and for any new contract, when it's made (s.92). Use the contract notices to decide which services to continue under your own contracts from the acquisition date. ## Information and documents: section 93 The RTM company can ask, by notice, for any information it reasonably needs to manage the building, and to inspect and copy documents (s.93). The old manager must comply within 28 days of the notice, but can't be made to do so before the acquisition date. So send your request early. ### What to ask for > **Note** > > A good request is specific. List the documents you want and ask for them in a usable form (for example, spreadsheets as files, not printouts). **Leases and leaseholders** - copies of every lease, and any deeds of variation or licences for alterations; - each leaseholder's name, correspondence address and address for service; - notices of sale, sub-letting and mortgage received in the last few years. **Money** - the service-charge accounts for recent years, the current budget and the latest statement for each flat; - a statement of the money held on the acquisition date, including any reserve fund; - any written notices given under the [18-month rule](https://runyourblock.co.uk/glossary/18-month-rule); - unpaid supplier invoices for the period before takeover. **The building** - the current **fire risk assessment** and its action plan, fire alarm and emergency lighting records; - the asbestos register or survey, electrical inspection reports (EICR), lift and other test certificates; - the buildings insurance policy, schedule, claims history and latest reinstatement valuation; - plans, drawings, warranties and guarantees, the health and safety file for past works; - details of any Section 20 consultation in progress, and outstanding repairs. **Practical** - keys, fobs, codes and access arrangements; - utility accounts and meter numbers for communal supplies; - contact details of current contractors. ## The money: section 94 On the acquisition date, or as soon as reasonably practicable after it, the old manager must pay the RTM company its [accrued uncommitted service charges](https://runyourblock.co.uk/glossary/accrued-uncommitted-service-charges): everything leaseholders paid (including reserves), with any investments and interest, less what's needed for costs incurred before the takeover. Keep a simple record: what you expected, what they said they'd pay, what arrived and when. Either side can ask the tribunal to decide the amount if you can't agree (s.94(3)). Arrears from before the takeover stay with the old manager. Don't chase leaseholders for them. ## Fire safety records Fire safety duties pass to the RTM company as the new [responsible person](https://runyourblock.co.uk/glossary/responsible-person) for the common parts. The outgoing responsible person must share the **relevant fire safety information** with you (Fire Safety Order, art 22A). Ask for the fire risk assessment, the record of actions taken, and any information given to residents. If you don't receive an assessment, commission one straight away. ## If things go wrong Most handovers go smoothly when requests are clear and early. If they don't, write formally, citing the sections, and keep copies. Since 3 March 2025, orders requiring someone to comply with their obligations under the right to manage legislation are made by the tribunal (s.107). --- This is general information, not legal advice. Every building and lease is different. For free initial advice, contact LEASE (The Leasehold Advisory Service): ## Frequently asked questions ### When should we send the section 93 request? Send it well before the acquisition date, so the old manager has time to gather everything. It can't be made to comply before the acquisition date, and it then has 28 days from your request, so in practice the information is due on the later of the acquisition date and the end of that period. ### Do existing contracts with cleaners or the lift company transfer to us? No, not automatically. The old manager must tell each contractor about the change (s.92). You then decide whether to make your own contracts with the same firms or different ones. Make sure essential services and insurance don't lapse on the day. ### What if the old manager won't hand over the money or documents? Write and remind them of their duties under ss.93 and 94. If that fails, either side can ask the First-tier Tribunal to decide the amount of money due (s.94(3)), and a tribunal can order a person to comply with their obligations (s.107). ## Sources - [Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, s.91 (notices relating to management contracts)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/15/section/91) - [Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, s.92 (duties to give notice of contracts)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/15/section/92) - [Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, s.93 (duty to provide information)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/15/section/93) - [Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, s.94 (duty to pay accrued uncommitted service charges)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/15/section/94) - [Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, s.107 (enforcement of obligations)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/15/section/107) - [Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, art 22A](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/1541/article/22A) ## Related guides - [The RTM acquisition date: what happens on the day and after](https://runyourblock.co.uk/guides/right-to-manage/acquisition-date-and-after) - [Your first 90 days running the block](https://runyourblock.co.uk/guides/running-your-block/first-90-days) - [Fire safety duties for a block of flats](https://runyourblock.co.uk/guides/running-your-block/fire-safety) - [Buildings insurance for a self-managed block of flats](https://runyourblock.co.uk/guides/running-your-block/buildings-insurance) --- Last reviewed 22 October 2026 by Phil, founder. This is general information, not legal advice. For free, independent advice on leasehold law, contact LEASE: https://www.lease-advice.org/ Source: https://runyourblock.co.uk/guides/right-to-manage/handover-from-the-old-manager