UK Rent Repayment Order and How to Avoid RRO – London Landlords

If there are five people living in the property then the landlord must apply for an HMO licence.

The most common reason for receiving an RRO (especially in London where there is a high demand for rental property by tenants) is having an unlicensed HMO. Landlords who rent their property to three tenants or more in areas such as Tooting, Balham, Brixton are particularly at risk of this – especially if they don’t carry out regular checks.

That’s because in these areas the local authority Housing rules state that a property with three or more individuals renting must adhere to certain HMO guidelines. These include minimum standards with regard to:

• The size of the bedrooms in the property
• Fire safety measures
• Kitchen and toilet/bathing facilities
• Furniture and fittings
• Landlord duties

The reason it is important for the landlord to make regular checks on the property – or appoint an agent to do so – is because one of the tenants may move in a partner without letting on. As a result, the property becomes an unlicensed HMO under the local authority regulations. We can help with property services and legal advice for landlords.

Tooting, Sutton, Carshalton and Wimbledon Property Management Services London

The particular ruling of the RRO describes the offence/s as:

“having control of, or managing, an unlicensed property, under s.95 Housing Act 2004” (ie having an HMO with more than three but less than five people)

And, in the event another tenant has also moved in his or her partner/friend: 

“having control of, or managing, an unlicensed house in multiple occupation (HMO), under s.72 Housing Act 2004”

In both cases it’s not important that the landlord didn’t know about the ‘unintentional’ HMO in his or her case. The Tribunal will look at the facts ie that it happened.

Landlord Rental and Rent Refunds – Court Order and Tribunal

A Tribunal can insist that the landlord return up to a year’s worth of rent to a tenant, if found guilty of the offence. This could be housing benefit or universal credit if the tenant isn’t working and receiving government benefits.

The landlord doesn’t even need to have been convicted for an RRO to be awarded, just that the Tribunal believe an offence has occurred beyond reasonable doubt.

The landlord may also be ordered to pay the legal costs of the applicant (in addition to having pay his or her own costs of instructing a solicitor).

How the application for an RRO is made

Your tenant can apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). Although the application can also be made by the local housing authority. The application must be made within 12 months of the tenant residing in your property.

In the case of the local authority they must send the landlord a notice of intended proceedings, stating the reasons they are applying for the RRO and how much they seek to recover. They then offer the landlord an opportunity to explain the situation. Having considered the landlord’s reply, they can apply for the RRO if they feel it’s warranted. This all comes under the statutory guidance on Rent repayment orders (Housing and Planning Act 2016).

What happens during an appeal

Both sides ie applicant and landlord submit their evidence at the First-tier Tribunal. The applicant is then usually an opportunity to respond to the landlord’s comments. A hearing between a judge and two Tribunal members then takes place, and a decision made. Landlords can appeal against the RRO to the Upper Tribunal, provided there is a legal basis for doing so.

Why Appoint Next Step Estates to Let your property

Do you need a reliable letting agency / managing agent for your rental property in Tooting, Sutton, Carshalton and Wimbledon? Then here at Next Step Estates we carry out regular checks on all our tenanted properties with documented inspection reports.

We personally live in the area and have, in fact, been working as an estate agent in SW17 for the past 15 years. That means we know the area inside out. We also take pride in providing all our landlords with a highly personal service. For more information on our SW17 estate agency service call 020 8767 6181 or email us today.

The post What is a Rent Repayment Order for a Landlord in the UK? appeared first on Estate Agency and Letting Agent Tooting | Sutton | Mitcham Property Services.

Featuring fantastic schools, lots of green areas and property that’s good value for money, Sutton isn’t just up-and-coming – it’s already here.

Sutton Landlord Property Services, Renting in Carshalton as a Tenant with Letting Agents Next Step Estates

The area, which houses around 200,000 people, attracts both young professionals and couples who like the buzzing atmosphere. But young families too are keen to move here, thanks to the outstanding reputation of local schools. If you are a Landlord looking for a reputable, trusted letting agency, let’s chat today about our exclusive Property Management services in South West London.

In fact, Sutton has the fifth highest owner occupancy rate in Greater London. More than 40 per cent of working age residents have a degree level qualification or higher, while the number of residents economically active is higher than the London and national average. Of the seven districts which make up this borough, many have a lively, independent community feel.

To find out how we can help you secure a quality rental at a good price then call us on 020 8767 6181. Alternatively write to us via our contact form..

Sutton Letting Agency, Rent a Flat in Carshalton, SW London

• Are you thinking of letting your property? Or are you already a private landlord looking for a new tenant? Next Step Estates offer you a personal service.

• New Landlords and first time private landlords can read our Letting FAQ here

• Tenants – View our current properties to let in South West London

Sutton Rail and Tube to Balham, Clapham, Dorking, Guildford and St Albans

London Victoria is a mere 30 minutes from Sutton Railway Station. Balham is 20 minutes and Clapham Junction 23 minutes. You can also get to Dorking, Guildford and St Albans from here. Sutton Common Railway Station has local connections, such as, Wimbledon, Farringdon and Kentish Town. There’s also talk of extending Tramlink from Colliers Wood to Sutton. Sutton is actually in Zone 5. A TfL annual rail card is £2,628, while monthly it’s £252.30 at the time of publication (November 2022)

Driving in and out of London from Sutton is pretty easy, thanks to easy access to the A232 and A217. Further out you’ll soon get to the M25 & M23, and last but not least if you are looking for a property that’s close to a London airport – Gatwick Airport is a mere 30 minutes away, and Heathrow 60 minutes.

Rental Prices  and Costs in Sutton and Carshalton, SW London

Competitive rental prices for single tenants and families – A one-bedroom flat in Sutton comes in at around £1150 to rent while a two-bedroom house is renting for £1650. A three-bedroom flat is £1800 and a four-bedroom bungalow £2,700 (November 2022)

A one-bedroom flat in Sutton comes in at around £1150 to rent while a two-bedroom house is renting for £1650. A three-bedroom flat is £1800 and a four-bedroom bungalow £2,700.

Education

Sutton’s state secondary schools regularly feature amongst the top in the country. A report by Ofsted in 2021 showed 43 per cent of the borough’s secondary schools received a rating of ‘outstanding’ – significantly higher than the London figure of 36 per cent.

And, with a total of 24 state secondary schools and 50 primaries – including five grammar schools – parents have plenty of schools to choose from in Sutton. The local colleges at Croydon and Merton both also share good educational reputations.

Green spaces and parks – Outdoor activities nearby

Sutton has 16 parks, making it one of London’s top green areas. Certainly, with more than 1,500 acres of open space in total and the largest regional park outside of central London, there’s plenty of opportunities for getting away from city living in Sutton.

Whether you want to go cycling, running, skating or wandering around formal gardens, there’s something to occupy everyone. Play tennis at the 58-hectare Beddington Park, try a round of crazy golf at Grove Park or enjoy a game of bowls at Rose Hill Park. For those keen to get plenty of exercise or wildlife watching at the weekend, they can head for two local Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty at the Surrey Hills and the Kent Downs.

Crime 

Last year the crime rate for Sutton was 62 per 1000 people. That compares favourably with the crime rate for the capital as a whole (87 per 1000 residents) and makes Sutton one of London’s five safest boroughs.

Sutton High Street and Local Shopping

Sutton High Street offers brand names while more shops can be found in the Saint Nicholas Shopping Centre, alongside a food court and multiplex cinema. For independent boutique style shopping Wimbledon Village is just 15 minutes on the train while the bright lights of London Bridge and Victoria’s shops are just 30 minutes away.

Restaurants and cafes local to Sutton and Carshalton

The Grumpy Mole, The Ginger Frog, and the quirky and dog-friendly Shinner & Sudstone are favourite family bars and restaurants. The Winning Post (formerly Red Lion pub) is also popular and lays claim to hosting the Rolling Stones in their heyday.

For Italian head to Casa Nostra, Spaghetti Tree and Zizzi. Seafood lovers will no doubt frequent The Fat Crab where, actually, your hands are the cutlery. For Chinese food there’s Heen’s restaurant.

Entertainment

Sutton Music Festival is an annual event and showcase of young talent. You’ll also find drama and live music in Nonsuch Park, including a local country show and lively 5k weekend parkrun.

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