London Tenant Services

What is a rent repayment order? (RRO)

Overview

A legal process that allows tenants to reclaim up to 24 months’ rent when the landlord has not met certain housing rules.

From working with council data, we’ve identified Barking & Dagenham as a hotspot.

When Can You Claim an RRO?

You may be eligible if, while renting privately, your landlord:

Rented out an unlicensed HMO (house in multiple occupation)
Harassed or illegally evicted you
Failed to comply with a formal improvement notice
Violated a banning order or committed other serious offences
Rented out a property without the required Selective or Additional licence

How Much Rent Can I Claim Back?

You can claim up to 24 months’ worth of rent, even if you’ve moved out.

There are many legalities that determine the precise amount that we can help you with. As a rough example:

If you live in a household of 5, all paying £900/month and lived there 24 months, your household may be eligible for up to £108,000 back.

How Long Does It Take?

The full process can take 3 to 6 months depending on the case and whether your landlord settles or disputes the claim.

Landlords are not contacted without your permission.

Do I Need a Lawyer?

Not always. But to be successful, RRO claims need to be legally prepared properly. Depending on your case, this usually involves:

Checking whether your property may have required a licence
Gathering the right evidence
Preparing a clear tribunal application (despite likely not needed because almost all cases are resolved via settlement instead)
Communicating and negotiating with your landlord or agent (Landlords are not contacted without your permission)

How LTS Helps You

LTS gives you practical, step-by-step support without unnecessary legal jargon or high solicitor fees.

Cost to tenant

Service scope

Legal Support

Common Fees

London Tenant Services

No upfront fees Only if you win

End-to-end support (forms, letter\s, tribunal guidance)

Guidance within legal limits (no reserved activities)

London Tenant Services

No upfront fees. Only if you win

End-to-end support

RRO specialists (no reserved activities)

Do it yourself

Free (high effort & risk)

You handle every thing

None

Housing Charity (e.g. JFT)

Moderate / High

Medium

Slow

30%

Private Solicitor

Very high

High

30%+

Local Council

Low

Low /

Low (unlikely full payout)

Free

What Makes LTS Different?

RRO Focused

Not general legal advice, not landlord work — just tenants like you.

No win, no fee

We only charge if you succeed. And we charge less than most legal services.

You’re not alone

We guide you through every form, deadline, and conversation — even if it goes to tribunal.

Free Eligibility Checker

Check If You’re Eligible

Answer 6 questions to see if your household qualifies.