Your browser is out of date or unsupported. As a result, some elements of this website may not be fully functional. For the best possible user experience, it is recommended that you use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge.
TV Edwards Solicitors Logo
Call us on: 020 3440 8000
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Awards and Accreditations
    • Corporate and Social Responsibility
    • Cybercrime and Fraud Warning
    • Make a Secure Payment
    • Our London Offices
    • Pricing
    • What Our Clients Say
    • Case Studies
  • Services
    • You & Your Family You & Your Family
      • Community Care Solicitors
      • Court Of Protection Solicitors
      • Criminal Defence Solicitors
      • Dispute Resolution Solicitors
      • Family Law
      • Personal Injury Claims
      • Wills And Probate Solicitors
    • You & Your Property You & Your Property
      • Housing Solicitors
      • Property Disputes
      • Residential Property
    • You & Your Business You & Your Business
      • Alcohol & Entertainment Licensing
      • Business Crime Solicitors
      • Commercial Litigation for Complex Cases
      • Commercial Property Solicitors
    • _
  • Our People
    • Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing
    • Community Care
    • Court of Protection
    • Criminal Defence
    • Dispute Resolution
    • Family Law
    • Housing
    • Partners and Management Team
    • Personal Injury
    • Property
    • Wills and Probate
  • News and Blogs
  • Careers
TV Edwards Solicitors Logo
  • Welcome to TV Edwards Solicitors
  • You & Your Family
    • Family and Children Law
    • Wills And Probate Solicitors
    • Personal Injury Claims
    • Dispute Resolution Solicitors
    • Mental Health Solicitors
    • Court Of Protection Solicitors
    • Community Care Solicitors
    • Criminal Defence Solicitors
  • You & Your Property
    • Residential Property
    • Property Disputes
    • Housing Solicitors
  • You & Your Business
    • Commercial Property Solicitors
    • Commercial Litigation for Complex Cases
    • Business Crime Solicitors
    • Alcohol & Entertainment Licensing
  • About Us
    • Our London Offices
    • What Our Clients Say
    • Pricing
    • Make a Secure Payment
    • Awards and Accreditations
    • Case Studies
  • Our People
    • Community Care
    • Court of Protection
    • Criminal Defence
    • Dispute Resolution
    • Family Law
    • Housing
    • Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing
    • Mental Health
    • Partners and Management Team
    • Personal Injury
    • Wills and Probate
    • Property
    • Support Team
  • News and Blogs
  • Careers
Call us on: 020 3440 8000
×
  • Divorce Solicitors
    • Divorce process
    • Finances
    • Civil partnerships
    • Child arrangements
  • Child Law Solicitors
    • Child arrangements
    • Social services
    • Adoption Solicitors
    • Special guardianship
    • Child Relocation Solicitors
    • Child Abduction Solicitors
  • Modern Parenting
    • Surrogacy
    • Fertility
    • Donor conception
    • Co-parenting
    • Adoption Solicitors
  • Unmarried couples
    • Pre nups, post nups and pre partnership agreements
    • Cohabitation agreements
    • Separation
    • Finances for children
  • Domestic abuse
    • Domestic abuse
    • Forced marriage
    • FGM
×

Start typing to search.

    ×
    TV Edwards Solicitors Logo

    020 3440 8000

    enquiries@tvedwards.com

    Our Offices

    TV Edwards Solicitors Logo

    020 3440 8000

    enquiries@tvedwards.com

    Our Offices

    Contact Us

    Please enter your first name(s).
    Please enter your surname.
    Please enter a valid email address.
    Please enter your contact number.
    Please select an option.
    Please enter a message.

    We’ll only use this information to handle your enquiry and we won’t share it with any third parties. For more details see our Privacy Policy.

    TV EDWARDS SOLICITORS LLP

    Understanding Rent Repayment Orders in England & Wales

    Tenants can reclaim rent for illegal actions, but landlords can avoid this by staying compliant and maintaining their properties.

    Back to News & Blogs 14th March 2025

    Abigail Williams
    Abigail Williams
    Solicitor

    Blog Dispute Resolution

    Rent Repayment Orders (RROs) are an important mechanism for protecting tenants in England and Wales, ensuring that landlords adhere to their legal obligations and promoting fair rental practices. Here, we will explore what rent repayment orders are, how they operate, and provide insight on how landlords can avoid facing these orders.

    What is a Rent Repayment Order?

    A Rent Repayment Order is a legal provision that allows tenants to reclaim rent, that has been paid, in specific circumstances. This will be where a landlord has been convicted of a specific criminal offence, or where the applicant (the tenant or local housing authority) can prove that an offence has been committed (to the criminal standard of proof). This could be due to, for example, rent collected when a property is unlicensed (where licensing is required).

    These orders were introduced under the Housing Act 24 and expanded under the Housing and Planning Act 2016, and they empower tenants to seek reimbursement of rent paid during periods where they were ineligible to be charged such rent (due to the landlord’s illegal actions).

    How Do Rent Repayment Orders Operate?

    To pursue a Rent Repayment Order, tenants will need to apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). The process usually involves the following steps:

    1. Gathering Evidence: The tenant will need to collect all relevant documentation as evidence of their claims. This may include payment receipts, tenancy agreements, and correspondence with the landlord.
    2. Filing an Application: The tenant must submit their application to the First-tier Tribunal, detailing the circumstances leading to the claim for a Rent Repayment Order, including the amount of rent being sought.
    3. Tribunal Review: The Tribunal will review the application and the accompanying evidence. If the case meets the necessary criteria (i.e. essentially proving that the landlord has been convicted of a specific criminal offence, or where the applicant can prove that an offence has been committed to the criminal standard of proof), they may issue a rent repayment order in favour of the tenant.
    4. Enforcement: Should the landlord fail to comply with the order to repay the specified amount, further enforcement actions can be initiated by the tenant (such as seeking a County Court judgment, which is done by way of the tenant filing a Tribunal decision with the county court for this to be recognised as a County Court Judgment).

    How Can Landlords Avoid Rent Repayment Orders

    Landlords can take several proactive steps to mitigate the risk of being issued a Rent Repayment Order, which includes as follows:

    1. Understanding Their Legal Obligations: Landlords should familiarise themselves with their responsibilities under the Housing Act 2004, the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), and other applicable regulations. A well-informed landlord is less likely to violate any tenant rights.
    2. Ensuring Proper Licensing: For properties that are in relevant designated areas, ensure that appropriate licenses are obtained to avoid penalties. This is crucial for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) or other regulated rental properties.
    3. Maintaining Habitable Conditions: Regularly inspect and maintain rental properties to ensure that they meet health and safety standards, and address any repair issues promptly to stay compliant.
    4. Complying with Deposit Protection Schemes: If taking a security deposit, ensure that it is protected in a government-approved scheme and that the tenant(s) receive the prescribed information regarding their deposit rights.
    5. Open Communication: Maintain open lines of communication with tenants regarding any issues or concerns. A responsive landlord can resolve many issues before they escalate to legal disputes.

    By understanding the framework surrounding Rent Repayment Orders and taking proactive measures, landlords in England and Wales can protect themselves from potential claims while fostering positive relationships with their tenants. Ultimately, adhering to the legal requirements not only minimises financial risks but also enhances the overall experience of renting for everyone involved.

    How we can help

    If you are a landlord and need advice on a rent repayment order or to mitigate your risk of being issued one, our highly experienced Disputes Resolution team who specialise in Property Litigation are here to help. Contact us on 0203 440 8000 or email disputes@tvedwards.com.

    Related Services:

    Dispute Resolution Solicitors
    Landlord and Tenant Dispute Solicitors

    More Articles

    Article Image

    A fond farewell to our Senior Partner, Jacky Starling

    28th May 2025
    Article Image

    TV Edwards secures reversals of local authority decisions to reduce a package of care

    27th May 2025
    Article Image

    TV Edwards named one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2025

    23rd May 2025
    Article Image

    Promotion Announcement: Alpa Ghelani

    20th May 2025
    Article Image

    Don’t DIY Your LPA – Here’s why ?

    19th May 2025
    Article Image

    International Family Day: Our family law commitment to you

    15th May 2025
    All Articles 

    Contact Us

    020 3440 8000|enquiries@tvedwards.com|Our Offices

    020 3440 8000
    enquiries@tvedwards.com
    Our Offices
    Contact Us

    The Legal 500 2025 Leading Firm
    Chambers 2025 Top Ranked
    The Sunday Times best place to work 2025 logo
    The Times Best Law Firms 2025
    Cyber Essentials Accreditation Logo
    Lexcel Logo
    Lexcel Logo

    © 2025 TV Edwards LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (465533) and is a Limited Liability Partnership registered in England and Wales number OC325696. Details of the SRA Code of Conduct can be found at sra.org.uk. Registered name: TV Edwards LLP. Registered Office: 35-37 Mile End Road, London, E1 4TP.

    TV Edwards Solicitors Logo

    Contact Us

    Call us on: 020 3440 8000

    Our Offices


    • Quick Links
      • Pricing
      • Pay Online
      • Careers with TV Edwards
    • Insights
      • Blogs
      • Case Studies
    • Regulatory
      • Legal Disclaimer
      • Terms of Business
      • Accessibility
      • Privacy Policy – Website Users
      • Privacy Policy – General
      • Cookies
      • Complaints Procedure

    Find us on:


    TV Edwards Solicitors Logo
    © 2022 TV Edwards LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (465533) and is a Limited Liability Partnership registered in England and Wales number OC325696. Details of the SRA Code of Conduct can be found at sra.org.uk. Registered name: TV Edwards LLP. Registered Office: 35-37 Mile End Road, London, E1 4TP.
    Use of Cookies

    Our website requires the use of cookies. Enabling all cookies makes sure the website works as smoothly as possible, and also helps us to improve it. Some cookies are activated by default but tracking cookies aren't switched on without your consent.

    For our full policy, visit our cookies page.


    Using this tool will set a cookie on your device to remember your preferences.

    Necessary

    Necessary cookies enable core functionality of the website, including security, SRA Regulationand reCAPTCHA form verifications. It is possible to disable these cookies in your browser settings, but this could affect the functionality of the website.


    Recommended
    Off On

    Recommended cookies improve your experience of our site by helping to display our latest client reviews and embedded maps of our office locations. You can find full details on Google's privacy policy here.


    Analytics
    Off On

    We'd like to use analytics services provided by Google Analytics, Microsoft Clarity and Ruler Analytics to collect anonymous information from our visitors. The data we collect will help us to improve our website and services. Learn more about how we use these services and our commitment to safeguarding data in our Cookie Policy.

    Settings Save & Close
    020 3440 8000