0151 665 0320A deposit that wasn’t protected is one of the most common reasons tenants take action – but it is far from the only one. If your landlord cut corners, there may be more than one claim against a landlord open to you. This guide covers three powerful but less well-known routes: Rent Repayment Orders, housing disrepair claims, and claims for unlawful eviction or harassment. Knowing they exist is the first step to getting what you are owed.
Why look beyond the deposit?
Landlords who get the deposit rules wrong often fall short elsewhere too – on licensing, on repairs, or on how they treat tenants. The law gives renters several distinct remedies, and they can sometimes be pursued alongside a deposit claim. Each is a separate claim against a landlord with its own rules, time limits and tribunal or court. Here are the three worth knowing.
1. Rent Repayment Orders – reclaim up to 24 months’ rent
A Rent Repayment Order (RRO) lets a tenant reclaim rent they have already paid where the landlord has committed certain offences. Under the Housing and Planning Act 2016 – as strengthened by the Renters’ Rights Act 2026, which doubled the maximum from 1 May 2026 – you can apply for up to 24 months’ rent back for offences including:
- Operating an unlicensed HMO or unlicensed property (a landlord licensing failure);
- Illegal eviction or harassment of an occupier;
- Breach of a banning order.
Applications go to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), and there is a 12-month time limit from the date of the offence – much shorter than the six years you get for deposits, so this is one to act on quickly. The Renters’ Rights Act 2026 has strengthened the RRO regime, making it an increasingly important tool for tenants.
Is your property licensed?
Many tenants don’t realise their house should have been licensed. Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) and, in many areas, ordinary rented homes under “selective licensing” schemes need a council licence. If your landlord didn’t have one when required, a landlord licensing failure may open the door to an RRO. Your local council can usually confirm whether a property needed a licence.
2. Housing disrepair – claim for a home that wasn’t kept up
If you reported damp, mould, a broken boiler, leaks, or other serious problems and your landlord failed to put them right in a reasonable time, you may have a housing disrepair claim. Under section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, landlords have a legal duty to keep in repair the structure and exterior of your home and key installations such as heating, water, gas, electricity and sanitation.
A disrepair claim can seek:
- An order requiring the landlord to carry out the repairs;
- Compensation for the inconvenience, discomfort and any harm to health caused by living in disrepair;
- Compensation for damaged belongings.
The key tests are usually that you told the landlord (or they otherwise knew) about the problem and that a reasonable time to fix it passed. Keep your reports, photos and any medical evidence – they make a real difference.
3. Unlawful eviction and harassment
Your landlord cannot simply throw you out, change the locks, or make life unbearable to force you to leave. Doing so can be a criminal offence and may also give you a civil claim. Unlawful eviction and harassment include:
- Changing the locks or physically removing you without a court order;
- Cutting off gas, electricity or water to drive you out;
- Threats, intimidation, or persistent interference with your right to live peacefully in your home.
Since 1 May 2026, the Renters’ Rights Act 2026 has abolished Section 21 “no-fault” evictions. Landlords must now use Section 8 grounds and follow the proper legal process. A landlord who ignores that process and evicts you informally is acting unlawfully – and, as noted above, illegal eviction and harassment are also offences that can support a Rent Repayment Order.
How these claims compare
| Claim | What you can recover | Where it goes | Time limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deposit claim | 1x-3x deposit per breach, plus deposit back | County Court | 6 years |
| Rent Repayment Order | Up to 24 months’ rent | First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) | 12 months from the offence |
| Housing disrepair | Repairs plus compensation | County Court | Varies (take advice) |
| Unlawful eviction / harassment | Compensation; may support an RRO | Court / Tribunal | Take advice promptly |
Can I bring more than one claim?
Sometimes, yes. A landlord who failed to protect your deposit, never licensed the HMO, and ignored a leaking roof may have exposed themselves on several fronts at once. The claims have different rules and time limits, so the order and combination matter – which is exactly the sort of thing a solicitor sorts out for you. Our overview of how the claims process works explains the practical steps, and if you are weighing up court action generally, see our guide on taking legal action against your landlord.
Act quickly on the short deadlines
The one message to take away: while deposit claims allow six years, a Rent Repayment Order must usually be brought within 12 months of the offence. If you suspect an unlicensed property or an illegal eviction, don’t sit on it. A quick check now can preserve a claim that would otherwise expire.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Rent Repayment Order in plain English?
It is an order from the First-tier Tribunal requiring your landlord to pay back up to 24 months’ rent (the maximum was doubled from 12 months by the Renters’ Rights Act 2026) because they committed a relevant offence, such as renting out an unlicensed property or illegally evicting you.
How do I know if my home needed a licence?
HMOs and, in many council areas, ordinary rented homes need a licence. Your local council can confirm whether the property required one. A licensing failure can support a Rent Repayment Order.
Do I have to move out to bring a disrepair claim?
No. You can claim for disrepair while still living in the property, and seek both repairs and compensation, provided you reported the problem and gave a reasonable time to fix it.
Can I claim for a deposit and something else together?
Potentially. Several remedies can apply to the same tenancy. A solicitor can review everything and advise on the best combination and order, mindful of each claim’s deadline.
This article is general information, not legal advice. For advice on your own situation, contact Cook Legal Solicitors for a free deposit check.
You may be owed more than your deposit. Cook Legal Solicitors can review your whole situation on a no-win-no-fee basis, with our success fee capped at 25% of any compensation. Start with a free deposit check by calling 0151 665 0320.