Your landlord broke the law. Claim up to 24 months’ rent back.

A rent repayment order is a legal mechanism that lets you recover rent from a landlord who has broken housing law — without needing a solicitor, without a criminal conviction, and without waiting years for the courts. The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 doubled the maximum award to 24 months and added new grounds, making RROs more powerful than ever.

Landlord rents a property without a required licence (HMO or selective licensing area). One of the most common and easiest grounds to prove — RRO applications on this ground are upheld at a high rate.

Landlord unlawfully deprived you of your home — changed locks, removed belongings, cut off utilities — without a court order.

Conduct intended to cause you to leave — threats, repeated unlawful entry, interference with utilities or services.

Landlord failed to comply with an improvement notice or prohibition order issued by the council under the Housing Act 2004.

Landlord continued to rent property while subject to a banning order. Maximum award: 24 months (the full cap).

From 1 May 2026, failure to register on the Landlord Database is a new ground for an RRO under the Renters' Rights Act 2025.

From 1 May 2026, serving a section 21 notice (now unlawful) is itself a ground for an RRO.

Rent Repayment Order Guide

Up to 24 months’ rent — extended May 2026

Your landlord broke the law.

Claim up to 24 months’ rent back.

You apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). If you win, your landlord must pay. The process is designed to be accessible — and Start My Claim handles the paperwork.

Seven reasons you can apply.

Apply within 12 months of the offence

There is a 12-month time limit from the date of the last offence to apply for an RRO. If your landlord has been unlicensed for years, the tribunal can award rent for up to 24 months of that period — but you must apply within 12 months of finding out (or of leaving the property).

The RRO process — step by step.

Gather your evidence

You need: your tenancy agreement, rent payment records (bank statements), evidence of the offence (e.g. council records showing no licence, correspondence, photographs), and your landlord's identity and address.

Start My Claim prepares your application

Our process collects your details, generates a completed tribunal application (Form RRO1), drafts your witness statement, and compiles your evidence bundle — all in one session.

File at the First-tier Tribunal

The application is filed at the Property Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal. The fee is £100 (waived if you receive benefits). Your landlord is served with a copy and has 28 days to respond.

A panel of one or three members considers your evidence and your landlord's response. Hearings are usually in person but can be by video. You can attend and present your case without a solicitor.

If the tribunal upholds your application, it orders your landlord to repay between 1 and 24 months of rent. The order is legally enforceable — if your landlord does not pay, you can instruct bailiffs.

Ready to claim your rent back?

Start My Claim prepares your complete RRO application, witness statement, and evidence bundle for the First-tier Tribunal. Fixed fee £147. No solicitor needed.

Rent repayment orders — FAQ

Sources: Housing and Planning Act 2016, Part 2 (rent repayment orders) · Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (c.34), ss.18–24 (RRO extensions) · Housing Act 2004, Parts 2–3 (licensing) · First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Rules 2013 · MHCLG: The Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026

Your landlord broke the law. Claim up to 24 months&rsquo; rent back.