As a tenant in the UK, you have certain rights and protections under the law. One of these is the right to live in a property that meets certain standards for health and safety. If your landlord fails to meet these standards, you may be able to take legal action against them, including applying for a Rent Repayment Order (RRO).
What is a Rent Repayment Order?
A Rent Repayment Order is a legal order that requires a landlord to repay rent to a tenant if they have breached their legal obligations. In most cases, an RRO is sought where the landlord has failed to obtain the necessary licenses for a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) or has failed to meet the minimum standards for health and safety in the property.
Who can apply for a Rent Repayment Order?
In the UK, tenants in certain types of accommodation can apply for an RRO if they believe their landlord has breached their legal obligations. To apply for an RRO, you must be:
- A tenant or former tenant in a property that is an HMO
- A tenant or former tenant in a property that should have been licensed as an HMO but was not
- A tenant or former tenant in a property where the landlord has breached health and safety regulations
- A tenant or former tenant in a property where the landlord has committed an offense under the Immigration Act
To be eligible for an RRO, you must be able to demonstrate that your landlord has breached their legal obligations and that you have suffered a financial loss as a result.
How do you apply for a Rent Repayment Order?
To apply for an RRO, you will need to make an application to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). You can do this online or by completing a paper form and sending it to the Tribunal. You will need to provide evidence to support your application, including details of the rent you have paid and any evidence of the landlord’s breach of their legal obligations.
The Tribunal will consider your application and will hold a hearing to determine whether an RRO should be granted. If the Tribunal finds in your favour, it will issue an RRO requiring the landlord to repay some or all of the rent you have paid.
What are the consequences of an RRO for landlords?
If a landlord is ordered to pay an RRO, they will be required to repay the tenant(s) the amount of rent specified in the order. The amount of rent repaid can be substantial and can include up to 12 months’ worth of rent.
In addition to repaying the rent, landlords may also face a fine of up to £30,000 per offence. In some cases, landlords may also be required to repay any housing benefit paid to them in respect of the property.
As well as the financial implications, an RRO can also damage a landlord’s reputation and make it more difficult for them to obtain finance in the future. Landlords who are found to have breached their legal obligations may find it harder to attract tenants and may be viewed as a higher risk by lenders and investors.
Conclusion
Rent Repayment Orders are an important tool for tenants in the UK who are seeking to hold their landlords accountable for breaching their legal obligations. If you believe that your landlord has failed to meet the necessary standards for health and safety or has failed to obtain the necessary licenses for an HMO, you may be eligible to apply for an RRO.
Applying for an RRO can be a complex and time-consuming process, and it’s essential to seek professional advice before taking any legal action.
