Merton Council has approved a new property management model, adopting a Corporate Landlord Model to oversee its extensive property portfolio. This strategic shift, confirmed at a Cabinet meeting on Monday, September 21, 2026, aims to ensure the council's assets are safe, fit for purpose, and strategically planned for future organisational changes.
The Corporate Landlord Model centralises the ownership and responsibility for managing the council's approximately 563 freehold titles. These include both operational and non-operational assets, many of which are ageing and facing increasing maintenance needs and rising costs for compliance and energy efficiency.
Previously, property management was decentralised across various directorates, leading to fragmented data, accountability issues across departments, and reduced opportunities for effective risk management. The new model addresses this by consolidating data into a single, centrally held source, ensuring a complete understanding of the portfolio's performance and enabling strategic decisions. This will reduce the Reduced opportunity for effective management of risk.
Under the new model, individual service directorates will effectively become occupiers, or tenants, of the corporate landlord. This means there must be a clear, evidenced case for the properties they need to deliver their services. This structure is expected to streamline property management, enhance efficiency, and provide a comprehensive and reliable dataset held centrally.
The implementation of the Corporate Landlord Model is anticipated to deliver productivity gains and efficiencies in property management. It is also expected to deliver cost savings and capital receipts through surplus assets
and create clear governance
and a better understanding of investment opportunities
.
Property budgets, maintenance, staff, and funding will be transferred to a centralised corporate property team within the Housing & Sustainable Development Directorate. A detailed plan for implementation will be prepared in accordance with the Council's HR procedures. The full Property Asset Strategy, which includes the Corporate Landlord Model, will be presented to Cabinet in Winter 2026. However, the report notes that it is unlikely to generate large transfer of budgets or staffing to the host directorate.
While the model proposes the consolidation and transfer of staff and budgets, there may be insufficient funding for property to be financially viable without some growth. Any changes to service delivery or property management functions will be managed through the Council's organisational procedure.
The Corporate Landlord Model also aims to ensure the property portfolio is safe, fit for purpose and ensure the portfolio is effectively planned taking account of future organisational changes
. A strategic asset review will be formally commenced, with ongoing reports to be prepared for Member consideration.
Further details on the meeting's proceedings can be found in the Minutes of Previous Meeting, the Agenda frontsheet, the Public reports pack, and the Decisions.