Tenancy & Housing
Tenancy & Housing judgments from New Zealand courts and tribunals, with a plain-English summary, the legal holding and frequently asked questions.
Tenant Ordered to Pay Rent and Water Rates Arrears After Non-Compliance
In this case, the Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay rent and water rates arrears after they failed to leave the property clean and tidy as required by law. The landlord received partial compensation for their losses.
Claimant Wins Levy Recovery Case Against Unit Owner
In this case, a a person successfully recovered unpaid levies and interest from a a person who failed to pay on time. The Tenancy Tribunal ruled that the a person must also cover a person's collection costs.
Tenancy Tribunal Terminates Tenancy for Rent Arrears
The Tenancy Tribunal terminated a tenancy because the tenant was behind on rent payments by more than 21 days when the landlord filed an application for termination under the Residential Tenancies Act. The tenant must vacate the premises immediately.
Landlord's Claim Dismissed: Tenants Not Liable for Rubbish Bin Costs
In this case, the Tenancy Tribunal ruled against a landlord's request to be compensated for emptying Council rubbish and recycling bins after tenants moved out. The decision was based on whether the property was left in a reasonable state of cleanliness at the end of the tenancy.
Landlord’s Claim Dismissed: Importance of Proper Documentation Highlighted
In this case, the Tenancy Tribunal dismissed a landlord's claim against a tenant for possession and damages due to insufficient evidence. The tribunal highlighted the importance of landlords providing proper documentation and being fully prepared before filing an application.
Tenancy Tribunal Dismisses Tenant's Claim Due to Absence
The Tenancy Tribunal dismissed a tenant’s claim for non-attendance at the hearing and ordered the bond of $2,160 to be returned due to lack of landlord's counterclaim. The decision highlights the importance of attending hearings as required by law.
Tenancy Tribunal Orders Tenant to Compensate Landlord for Damage
In a dispute between a tenant and landlord over cleaning costs and replacement expenses after a tenancy ended, the Tenancy Tribunal ruled in favour of the landlord. The tenant must pay for damages beyond normal wear and tear.
Tenant Wins Compensation for Loss of Amenities
A tenant won compensation for loss of amenity and received work orders from the Tenancy Tribunal after the landlord did not properly maintain the property, failing to meet Healthy Homes Standards.
Tenants Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears and Current Rent
The Tenancy Tribunal ruled that tenants must pay their landlord for unpaid rent and the current month's rent or face eviction. The decision includes a conditional termination order if payments are missed.
Tenant’s Tenancy Terminated Due to Partner’s Disruptive Behaviour
A landlord successfully ended a lease because the tenant’s partner repeatedly disrupted their neighbors with loud arguments and dangerous behavior. This decision was based on the Residential Tenancies Act, which allows landlords to terminate tenancies for breaches that are serious or repetitive.
Tenant's Tenancy Terminated for Rent Arrears
The Tenancy Tribunal at Kaikohe terminated a tenancy because the tenant stopped paying rent for over 21 days and methamphetamine testing was positive on the premises. The landlord received possession of the property immediately and the tenant had to pay $5,454.64.
Tenancy Tribunal Dismisses Claim Due to Non-Compliance
The Tenancy Tribunal dismissed the tenant's case because they missed an important meeting (Case Management Conference) without giving any notice. The Tribunal follows strict rules about attending these meetings and following their instructions.
Tenancy Tribunal Ends Lease for Unpaid Rent
The Tenancy Tribunal ended a lease and ordered tenants to pay $7,425.00 in unpaid rent after determining that at least 21 days of rent were overdue when the landlord filed for termination under New Zealand's Residential Tenancies Act.
Tenant Ordered to Pay Landlord $2,627 in Rent Arrears and Damage Costs
In this case, the Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay the landlord $2,627 for rent arrears and repairs to a broken window that occurred during their tenancy. The tenant did not attend the hearing, and the claimant provided evidence of non-payment and property damage.
Landlord's Compensation Claim Rejected in Tenancy Dispute
A landlord's request for compensation from a tenant for property damage was denied because there wasn't enough proof that the damage happened while the tenant lived there or that they were responsible. The Tenancy Tribunal ruled in favour of the tenant based on the evidence presented at the hearing.
Tenants Ordered to Pay Water Rates in Tenancy Dispute
In this Tenancy Tribunal case, the landlord successfully claimed that the tenants owe $5,622.91 for water rates based on a fair division of costs between units sharing a meter. The tenants were absent from the hearing and missed their chance to contest the claim.
Tenancy Tribunal Rejects Tenant’s Compensation Claim
A tenant applied to the Tenancy Tribunal for compensation due to unexpected renovation works but was denied because their tenancy agreement was only for three months. The decision emphasised the importance of written agreements in establishing expectations and obligations between tenants and landlords.
Tenancy Tribunal Reduces Rent Increase After Fair Market Assessment
In a case before the Tenancy Tribunal, the judge decided that the landlord's rent increase from $720 to $820 per week was not justified as it exceeded fair market value. The tenant won the case, with the rent being reduced back to $720.
Tenancy Terminated Due to Rent Arrears
The Tenancy Tribunal ended a tenant's lease because they were behind on rent by more than 21 days. The tribunal granted possession to the landlord and ordered the tenant to pay overdue rent and fees.
Tenancy Tribunal Orders Tenant to Pay Rent Arrears and Damages
The Tenancy Tribunal ruled that a tenant must pay rent arrears, cleaning costs, and compensation for property damage beyond fair wear and tear. The claimant successfully recovered $1,838.13 from the tenant after proving the amount of rent owing and the extent of damages.