Header images of blackpool
Home  |  Contact Us  |  Help  |  Text Only  |  Accessibility  |  Whats New  |  Log In  |  Register
SpacerTopPics
Site Search:  
Seperator Line
A Tenant's Guide to Rent Repayment Orders
A Tenant's Guide to Rent Repayment Orders Who does it apply to?

 Only private tenants can apply for Rent Repayment Orders (RRO's) .  They are NOT available to council tenants or tenants of Housing Associations or Arms Length Management Organisations.  

What is a Rent Repayment Order (RRO)?
An RRO is an order made by a Residential Property Tribunal (RPT), which requires a landlord to pay back rent to tenants for accommodation that was not licensed but should have been.    In the first successful RRO case in October 2007, 16 students reclaimed £18,540 (50% of the rent they had paid in the nine month period before they moved out).  

How do I make a claim?
In order to make a claim, the landlord must first be found guilty in court or tribunal of committing the offence of letting licensable accommodation without a licence. These actions are taken by Blackpool Council’s Housing Licensing Officers.  

How long can I claim for?
You can claim up to 12 months. You will need to be able to prove that you actually paid the amount of rent you are claiming and who you paid it to. (Note that the period may be less if you have moved away, if the landlord has changed, or if the landlord has applied to the local council for a licence). You cannot claim for any rent paid by Housing Benefit (Local Housing Allowance) in your claim.  

What if my landlord finds out and wants to evict me?
Your landlord has no right to make you leave your home because you are applying for an RRO. The laws protecting your tenancy will still apply and there are extra legal restrictions on evictions by landlords who are running unlicensed accommodation.  

Where can I get help?
Private tenants (including former tenants) can get help from Blackpool Council (see below), a Citizens Advice Bureau or sometimes a Students’ Union or another local organisation.  

How do I know if the house I rent or recently rented should have had a licence?
All bedsits and shared houses in buildings of three storeys or more and which are occupied by five or more people in two or more households must have a licence.  

Contact us to find out if your home should have a licence.

Customer First Centre (Private Sector Housing Licensing)
Municipal Building,
Corporation Street,
Blackpool, FY1 1NF

Email: mailto:housing.licensing@blackpool.gov.uk

Telephone: 01253 477477

Website: http://www.blackpool.gov.uk/HousingLicensing  

For more information on licensing, go to: www.communities.gov.uk/housing/rentingandletting
MenuSpacer

Blackpool Council
Customer First Centre
Municipal Building
Corporation Street
Blackpool
FY1 1NF

Tel: (01253) 477477

Customer First Centre
Monday to Friday 8am-5.30pm
Saturday 9am-2pm

Customer First Telephone Line
8am-6pm Monday to Friday
Saturday 9am-2pm
Get information from this site in different languages. Download adobe acrobat pdf reader Browse Aloud Logo Browse Aloud Help