If landlords violate one key rule, tenants may be owed hundreds of dollars in back rent: UK Housing Law

MANCHESTER: If a landlord breaks one important guideline, tenants in the UK may be owing thousands in back rent. Under UK housing law, landlords are subject to a number of regulations, including having their homes properly licenced. (Reported by news source)

Up to a year's worth of rent may be repaid to tenants whose landlord hasn't registered the residence they're renting with the neighbourhood council. The council can determine if the property complies with the necessary requirements for multiple occupancies.

You may be entitled to a rent reimbursement order (RRO), which may be worth several thousand pounds, if your landlord failed to properly licence your rental property.

If the tribunal orders the landlord to repay the entire sum, you may be entitled to a refund for the entire year, or £9000, if the rent for your entire home is £750.

The council or the Department for Work and Pensions may be able to recoup this money from the landlord if you receive Housing Benefit for rent or have used Universal Credit to do so (DWP).