The local authority may apply to the RPTS for a ‘rent repayment order’ allowing it to reclaim any housing benefit that has been paid during the time the property was without a licence up to a maximum of 12 months.
A tenant living in a property may also make an application to claim back any rent they have paid during the unlicensed period, up to a maximum of 12 months, if the landlord has been convicted of operating a licensable HMO without a licence, or has been required by a rent repayment order to make a payment to the local authority in respect of housing benefit on the property.