Rent Repayment Orders
An occupier or the local authority can apply for a rent repayment order (RRO) requiring a landlord who has committed an offence to repay rent, housing benefit or universal credit.
Tenants and former tenants can reclaim up to 2 years rent with a rent repayment order (RRO) if the landlord has committed a housing-related offence. You can find mor information from Shelter.
Offences for which an RRO can be made
- Illegal eviction or harassment (s.1 Protection from Eviction Act 1977)
- Offences relating to unlicensed HMOs (s.72 Housing Act 2004)
- Offences relating to unlicensed houses (s.95 Housing Act 2004)
- Using or threatening violence for securing entry into premises (s.6 Criminal Law Act 1977)
- Failure to comply with improvement notice (s.30 Housing Act 2004)
- Failure to comply with prohibition order (s.32 Housing Act 2004)
- Breach of banning order (s.21 Housing and Planning Act 2016)
- Knowingly or recklessly misusing a possession ground (s.16J(1) Housing Act 1988)
- Breach of rules on letting or marketing property (s.16J(2) Housing Act 1988)
- Continuing breaches of tenancy reform (s.16J(3) Housing Act 1988)
How much can I reclaim?
The maximum amount you can reclaim is the rent paid over a period of up to two years ending on the date of the offence. The Tribunal will decide the amount based on the severity of the offence.
Time limits
You have two years from the date of the offence to apply for an RRO. However, it is still best to act quickly, as evidence can become harder to gather over time.
Rent paid through housing benefit or universal credit
You cannot apply for an RRO for any rent (or portion of rent) paid through housing benefit or universal credit. However, the Council can reclaim this rent back so it is still worth contacting us in these cases.
Further advice on RRO
If council officers have inspected your property then they may be able to provide you with a letter to assist your RRO application. We may also be able to confirm if an HMO licence application has been received and if so the date when it was submitted.