Private Tenant Rights in Southwark
Southwark has one of London's largest and most diverse private rental markets, spanning high-demand areas like Borough and Bermondsey through to Peckham and Camberwell, where rents have risen sharply over the past decade. The borough operates both additional HMO licensing in designated areas and selective licensing in specific wards.
A significant proportion of Southwark rentals — particularly shared houses and bedsits in Peckham and Camberwell — fall within licensing schemes that require landlords to hold a licence. Compliance among smaller landlords is patchy, and many tenants are unaware they may have grounds for a Rent Repayment Order.
Southwark also has a high student and young professional renting population, many of whom are first-time renters unfamiliar with their legal rights. This includes rights around deposit protection, which apply regardless of tenancy length or whether the tenant has moved on.
Rent Deposit Compensation in Southwark
If your Southwark landlord failed to protect your deposit within 30 days, or did not serve the Prescribed Information correctly, you can claim between 1 and 3 times the deposit amount — even if you have moved out, and even if the deposit was returned.
We check deposit protection records for Southwark tenants at no charge. Many people discover they have a valid claim they were completely unaware of.
Rent Repayment Orders in Southwark
Southwark operates: Mandatory HMO Licensing (national), Additional HMO Licensing in designated areas, and Selective Licensing in designated wards. If your landlord rented without the correct licence, you can apply to recover up to 12 months of rent paid. We check the Southwark Council licensing register for your specific address at no charge.