A landlord has been cleared of wrongdoing after a Rent Repayment Order (RRO) claim was filed against him, despite his compliance with all licensing requirements. The First-tier Tribunal ruled that the landlord had met all obligations but was impacted by administrative failures at Southwark Council.
The landlord, applied and paid for an HMO licence in December 2018. However, Southwark Council failed to process his application correctly, leading to errors in their records. When the landlord provided proof of payment and application, Southwark’s own licensing department confirmed he had remained compliant.
Tenant Claims Found Inconsistent
Despite this confirmation, Justice for Tenants proceeded with the case. The tribunal later found inconsistencies in the tenants’ claims, stating that their complaints were minor and unsubstantiated. Allegations about property conditions were also exaggerated.
Tribunal’s Decision
Following the ruling, Taylor criticized the process, stating the landlord was wrongfully pursued. The tribunal also noted Southwark Council’s record-keeping failures, which contributed to misinformation forming the basis of the tenants’ claim. The case serves as a warning for landlords facing RRO claims to seek legal advice before responding.