Freehold.Pro vs Blockman Which Is Better for Self Managed Blocks?
Quick comparison TLDR
Bottom Line...
When to choose Freehold.Pro..
Choose Freehold.Pro if you are an RTM company or share of freehold that runs one or a few small blocks and wants clear service charge accounting block compliance and a resident portal without the overhead of full agent software.
When to choose
Blockman..
Choose Blockman if you are a professional managing agent who runs many blocks and units for clients and needs detailed service charge accounting reporting and processes across a large portfolio.
Quick verdict...
For self managed blocks with volunteer directors Freehold.Pro is usually the better fit. For managing agents with staff and hundreds or thousands of units Blockman is closer to the tools they expect.
Freehold.Pro is easier for volunteers Blockman assumes trained property managers.
Freehold.Pro includes a leaseholder portal Blockman offers a MyBlockman owner portal.
Freehold.Pro keeps things simple for one block Blockman suits larger portfolios.
Freehold.Pro pricing is per block Blockman pricing scales with managed units.
Freehold.Pro focuses on RTM directors Blockman focuses on managing agents and staff.
Feature
Freehold.Pro
Competitor
Desktop & Mobile
Desktop and mobile.
Desktop optimised.
Noticeboard
Block noticeboard included.
Centralised info hub.
Real-time finance
Live block position.
Service charge ledgers.
Maintenance tracking
Block-level visibility.
Jobs and works orders.
Fire Check tracking
Block-level fire checks.
Not included.
Document Storage
Central block storage.
Block document packs.
Notifications
Block events, deadlines.
Jobs and alerts.
Required Expertise level
Volunteers, minimal exp.
Trained property managers.
Transparency for leaseholders
Leaseholder portal.
Owner portal.
Cancel Anytime
Per-block, cancel anytime.
Starting £250/m.
1
Compliance mistakes
Directors don’t realise they are legally responsible.
Small RTM companies often unknowingly miss fire safety checks, records, and documentation requirements. Freehold.Pro structures and logs these automatically.
2
Director workload
The admin slowly becomes a second job.
Volunteer directors end up acting as accountants, secretaries, and compliance officers. Freehold.Pro centralises everything so directors spend minutes per week, not hours.
3
Service charge transparency
Leaseholders start questioning the accounts.
Most disputes in small blocks come from unclear service charge records. Freehold.Pro gives every leaseholder visibility into spending and documents.
4
Losing control to managing agents
The only escape feels like hiring a managing agent.
Many blocks appoint managing agents just to cope with admin. Freehold.Pro lets blocks stay self-managed without losing organisation.
FAQ's
Can a managing agent use both Blockman and Freehold.Pro?
Some agents may use Blockman for broader accounting and administration while specific RTM clients use Freehold.Pro to keep block information and director workflows clear for residents. The tools then serve different audiences.
Which is easier for volunteer directors to learn?
Freehold.Pro is designed so RTM directors can learn it without a property management background. Blockman is powerful but assumes users are part of an agency team who live in the system every day.
Does Blockman give leaseholders an online view?
Blockman offers a MyBlockman portal where owners can see accounts and documents. Freehold.Pro includes a resident portal that also connects to service charge context and block compliance communication.
How does Blockman pricing compare with Freehold.Pro for one block?
Blockman pricing is based on unit bands and suits agencies who manage many units. For one or a few RTM blocks Freehold.Pro per block pricing is usually simpler to explain and approve at meetings.
Can RTM directors use Blockman directly?
Blockman can be used by RTM boards but its depth and layout are designed for managing agents with staff. Freehold.Pro is lighter and speaks more directly to RTM directors and leaseholders.
Is your building being managed properly?
Most small RTM and self-managed blocks don’t need a managing agent,
they need a simple system to stay compliant and organised.
Freehold.Pro was designed specifically for 3–10 unit buildings.
Key Differences...
Blockman is built for managing agents who handle many blocks and units. It focuses on multi block accounting RICS style reporting service charge and ground rent ledgers document packs and an owner portal. Freehold.Pro is built around the needs of RTM directors and self managed blocks. It gives them service charge accounting compliance schedules and a resident portal in a simpler block centric interface. If you run a portfolio for many clients Blockman helps you control complex accounts. If you are a small RTM board Freehold.Pro reduces admin without asking you to think like an agent.
Automation
Blockman automates recurring service charge demands ground rent billing and reporting across many blocks. It supports workflows such as issue logging works orders and communication with owners. Freehold.Pro automates block specific workflows such as schedules for inspections and fire checks service charge cycles and resident updates. Agents who manage many blocks may lean toward Blockman. Volunteer directors who want fewer moving parts will likely find Freehold.Pro easier to live with.
Compliance
Blockman supports compliance for managing agents with tools that help them stay in line with codes of practice and accounting standards and keep records for multiple client blocks. Freehold.Pro focuses on block compliance and director duties such as safety checks inspections and document evidence. It gives RTM directors a clear schedule and audit trail without them needing full agent processes. Both help with documents and history. Freehold.Pro keeps things closer to what directors need to explain to leaseholders.
Workflow
Day to day Blockman fits property managers who move between many blocks and need shared views for teams accounts and administration. Workflows revolve around jobs ledgers and client reporting. Freehold.Pro fits directors of one or a few blocks who log in less often and want a clear picture of money tasks and resident communication for their block only. Both offer portals. Blockman portals sit in the context of a managing agent. Freehold.Pro portals sit in the context of the block and its directors.
When Freehold.Pro Wins
Freehold.Pro wins when you have a small RTM or self managed block want simple block centric accounting compliance and communication and do not run a wider agency business.
When Blockman Wins
Day to day Blockman fits property managers who move between many blocks and need shared views for teams accounts and administration. Workflows revolve around jobs ledgers and client reporting. Freehold.Pro fits directors of one or a few blocks who log in less often and want a clear picture of money tasks and resident communication for their block only. Both offer portals. Blockman portals sit in the context of a managing agent. Freehold.Pro portals sit in the context of the block and its directors.
Best for Small Blocks
Freehold.Pro is ideal for small blocks where directors share tasks alongside other jobs. Blockman can serve small blocks but its depth and pricing are aimed at agents who manage many sites.
Best for Big Blocks
Blockman is comfortable with large blocks and multi site portfolios and includes deep accounting and reporting. Freehold.Pro targets smaller blocks so very large or complex portfolios may be better served by agent focused software.
Best for RTM
Freehold.Pro is designed for RTM and shared freehold with director responsibilities at the centre. Blockman can work with RTM clients but its primary audience is managing agents rather than resident directors.
Best for Landlords
Freehold.Pro is not a landlord portfolio tool. Blockman is also focused on blocks rather than individual landlord portfolios though agents may use it alongside lettings systems for their wider work.
Trusted by small blocks across the UK
The transparency that Freehold.Pro brings is it greatest feature (imo)
John Hewitt
Block Manager
BN3 1AH
Having everything in one place is an absolute gamechanger, no more searching through email threads to find important documents
Richard Harrison
Director
TCD Property Ltd
Freehold.Pro cut our admin time by half.
Jane Smith
Director
ABC RTM Ltd