Leaseholders Achieve Right to Manage at South West London’s 633-Flat Wimbledon Stadia Development

Wimbledon Stadia, completed in 2021 by Galliard Homes alongside AFC Wimbledon’s 9,300-seat stadium, includes nearly 30% affordable housing delivered through Peabody’s shared ownership scheme. Residents have long sought greater transparency and accountability from management. 

Adam Clifford, leaseholder and RTM director, said:

“Developer Galliard Homes initially appointed its own management company when the site opened in 2021. Over time, many leaseholders felt their feedback wasn’t being taken seriously. Service charges rose sharply, and while we understand broader market pressures, leaseholders hoped for more openness and collaboration.”

In time for the handover, the RTM companies—one for each block—appointed new managing agent, Ringley, to align services more closely with residents’ needs. Mary-Anne Bowring, Managing Director at Ringley, said:

“We were delighted to support Wimbledon Stadia leaseholders in claiming their Right to Manage. The recent change in the law (March 2025) has undoubtedly helped these leaseholders—and thousands more—move forward without the burden of the freeholder’s legal costs. This is only fair, as RTM is a no-fault process, yet there have been too many cases of freeholders blocking claims with spurious counterarguments, which are extremely costly to defeat.
This is one of the largest RTM claims in the country—and particularly unique, given the proximity to AFC Wimbledon, the mix of tenures, shared services, and investor-owned blocks. The law could still be improved to ensure sites like this don’t have to form multiple RTM companies just to proceed.
Our teams have been on-site, reviewing services, identifying savings, addressing any overdue maintenance, and tackling housekeeping issues. Team Ringley is excited to continue building strong stakeholder relationships with Galliard and Merton Council to resolve remaining issues and fully support the RTM board.”

Right to Manage is a legal right under the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, allowing leaseholders to take over building management without buying the freehold. It gives residents the power to make decisions about maintenance, services, and repairs. Reforms introduced earlier this year under the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 made the process more accessible and affordable, something that empowered Wimbledon Stadia leaseholders to act earlier this year. 

The successful takeover was driven by a core group of residents and the Wimbledon Stadia Peabody Residents’ Association (WSPRA), supported by Ringley Law. The three RTM companies were formed with Ringley guiding the group through the legal process that ultimately handed control to those who live there. 

Lee Harle, Partner at Ringley Law, said:

“I’m very pleased we were able to get this over the line. The scale and layout of this development presented some challenges, but with the support of the resident directors, we found practical solutions. It’s always rewarding to help leaseholders gain control of the management of their buildings. Hopefully, legislation will be amended in the near future to make the process even easier for leaseholders.

Sebastian Budner, Chair of WSPRA and RTM director, added:

“RTM represents a significant step forward for our community. Residents came together with real energy and commitment, and we’re now well-placed to make decisions that reflect the needs of our buildings. By taking control, we aim to build a more efficient, cleaner, and happier environment for everyone. We look forward to working closely with AFC Wimbledon and Merton Council to strengthen this unique south west London community.

This milestone at Wimbledon Stadia is a compelling example of collective action driving meaningful change, offering inspiration to leasehold communities across London and beyond.