Introduction
In the world of legal disputes between landlord and tenants, it is imperative to understand your rights and obligations under UK law. As of May 2022, 67% of landlords had a tenant in arrears. Connaughts specialise in dealing with these disputes, with a team dedicated to ensuring the best outcome for our clients.
Overview
In a recent case, our firm represented a tenant in a unique legal dispute which involved the usage of a Rent Repayment Order (RRO). RROs entitle tenants to reclaim up to 12 month’s rent if their landlord committed one of a few types of breach for their property. RROs were introduced in 2004 but have only recently risen to prominence. In 2018, RROs were used 73 times, increasing to 349 times by 2020. This shows the niche nature of RRO claims and demonstrates our commitment to achieving favourable results for our clients. This article delves into the details of this remarkable case, underscoring the importance of expertise and strategic negotiation in achieving positive outcomes.
In Summer 2021, our client signed an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement for a premises in Central London. Our clients resided in this property until early 2022 when they ended their tenancy and handed back the premises to the Landlord. The tenants then came to us for legal assistance. The landlord had claimed that the tenancy agreement was breached and that our clients owed a sum close to £50,000. On behalf of the defendant, our firm-initiated dialogue with the claimant’s solicitors and meticulously assessed the calculations of their exaggerated claim. Throughout this, we identified various errors in the charges. Upon further investigation, we found that there was a breach of civil obligation. As a result, we were able to file our RRO application with the First-Tier Property Tribunal, seeking to recover the rent paid during the breach period. Despite this, the claimant was unwilling to cooperate and therefore we had no alternative but to continue with the legal process.
In the fall of 2023, the claim was settled with our client paying absolutely nothing. This settlement was mutually beneficial and resulted in a walk-away position with a full and final resolution for both parties.
Conclusion
The resolution of this RRO case was an extremely favourable outcome for our client and this exemplifies our firm’s dedication to achieving outcomes for our clients that exceed their expectations. We take immense pride in our ability to advocate for our client’s rights and this case serves as a testament to our firm’s commitment of achieving justice and protecting our clients.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, we encourage you to reach out to our team, who will work tirelessly to provide you tailored situations and guide you through the complexities of the law.
Disclaimer:
The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Connaught Law and authors accept no responsibility for loss that may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please don’t hesitate to contact Connaught Law. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Connaught Law.
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