In Opara v Olasemo [2020], the Tribunal confirmed that RRO cases must meet the criminal standard of proof — but tribunals can’t reject claims just because of vague or minimal doubt.

In a historic ruling, Hackney tenants were awarded £263,000 in Rent Repayment Orders after their landlord, John Christodoulou, operated unlicensed HMOs. Learn about the case and its implications for UK renters.

In Wilson v Campbell [2019], a tenant who knowingly stayed in an unlicensed HMO to boost their Rent Repayment Order (RRO) was awarded just £1. Find out why tribunals look at fairness, not just the rules.

In Rakusen v Jepsen [2023], the Supreme Court ruled tenants can only apply for Rent Repayment Orders against their immediate landlord — not the superior landlord in rent-to-rent setups.

In Vadamalayan v Stewart [2020], the Tribunal ruled that Rent Repayment Orders should start at 100% of the rent paid, with reductions only allowed under specific legal considerations.

In Sharma & Subramani v Chun Kwok Lau [2019], the Tribunal confirmed tenants must apply for Rent Repayment Orders within 12 months of the offence date — not the tenancy end date.

In Kumar v Kolev [2024], the Tribunal confirmed that Rent Repayment Orders (RROs) can only be made against immediate landlords — not superior landlords — aligning with the Supreme Court’s ruling in Rakusen v Jepsen

In Goldsbrough & Swart v CA Property Management [2019], the Tribunal ruled that tenants can claim RROs from rent-to-rent companies or property managers — not just the property owner.

“Disclaimer:Tenant Support UK is not a law firm and does not provide regulated legal advice. All content on this website is for general informational purposes only, based on publicly available legal guidance and personal experience. If you need legal advice tailored to your situation, please consult a qualified solicitor or a trusted housing advice service.“…

Find out how Ms. Leibel won £5,382 back from her landlord in the Leibel v Baird case. If your landlord rents out an unlicensed shared house, you could claim up to 12 months’ rent back too. Know your rights today!