A Rent Repayment Order (RRO) entitles tenants to a maximum of 12 months rent repayment if their landlord has committed an offence whilst they are renting the property. For example:
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your landlord has rented out a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) without a licence
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your landlord has failed to control or manage an unlicensed HMO
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your landlord has failed to comply with enforcement action (eg an improvement notice, prohibition notice, civil penalty or breach of a banning order - for more information, see ‘What are enforcement actions?’ below)
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you have been evicted illegally or been harassed by your landlord
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your landlord has used violence to secure entry to the property
What are enforcement actions?
Enforcement actions are given by local authorities where they identify a hazard on inspection of a property. Enforcement actions include:
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Improvement notices - these are orders for the landlord to carry out specified remedial action on the property to reduce hazards to the occupants (eg house fire or collapse).
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Prohibition notices - these are orders to prevent or limit the occupation of a hazardous property.
Failure to comply with these notices can result in a civil penalty order, which is a fine of up to £30,000 and potentially a banning order, prohibiting the landlord from renting out the property altogether.
Can a tenant claim back housing benefit / universal credit through an RRO?
A tenant who receives housing benefit or universal credit cannot claim this money back through an RRO - this will be claimed by their local authority.