Tenancy & Housing
Tenancy & Housing judgments from New Zealand courts and tribunals, with a plain-English summary, the legal holding and frequently asked questions.
Tenancy Terminated for Rent Arrears
Tenant ordered to pay rent arrears and filing fee under conditional termination order
Tenant Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears and Damages
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay rent arrears, power bills, and damages for ranch slider handle. The landlord successfully proved the tenant's responsibility for these costs under the Residential Tenancies Act.
Tenancy Terminated for Rent Arrears Over 21 Days
The Tenancy Tribunal ended the tenancy of a tenant because they were over 21 days late on rent payments. The landlord showed proof of the overdue rent and the tenant did not show up to the hearing.
Tenancy Tribunal Dismisses Landlord's Rent Arrears Claim Due to Procedural Non-Compliance
The Tenancy Tribunal dismissed the landlord's application for rent arrears because the landlord failed to attend the scheduled hearing and did not follow the necessary procedures outlined in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
Tenant ordered to pay $16,214.57 for rent arrears and bond
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay $16,214.57 to the landlord for rent arrears and a bond after the premises were deemed abandoned on 27 April 2026. The tenant did not attend the hearing.
Conditional Termination Order for Rent Arrears
Claimant wins rent arrears case at Tenancy Tribunal
Tenant Wins Rent Arrears Case at Tenancy Tribunal
Tenancy Tribunal Rejects Termination, Orders Rent Payment
Tenancy Terminated for Significant Rent Arrears
The Tenancy Tribunal ended the tenancy of a tenant due to significant unpaid rent, despite the tenant's claims about issues with the rental property. The Tribunal ruled that the amount of unpaid rent was too large to be offset by the tenant's complaints.
Tenancy Terminated for Rent Arrears Over 21 Days
The Tenancy Tribunal ended the tenancy of the tenant because the rent was overdue by more than 21 days. This decision was based on the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
Rent Arrears Lead to Conditional Termination Order in Tenancy Case
The Tenancy Tribunal at Christchurch issued a conditional termination order for a tenant who owed rent arrears. The tenant must pay the debt by a specific deadline or face immediate termination of the tenancy.
Tenant ordered to pay $15,020 in rent arrears and other charges
Body Corporate Can Recover Cleaning Costs from Unit Owner
Tenancy Tribunal Terminates Tenancy Due to Abandonment and Rent Arrears
Tenant Successfully Recovers Interest, Costs, and Filing Fees from Landlord
In a recent Tenancy Tribunal case, a tenant successfully recovered interest, costs, and the filing fee from a landlord for unpaid levies. The court ruled in favour of the tenant based on the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
Tenant Held Liable for Damaging Kitchen Benchtop
The Tenancy Tribunal decided that a tenant must pay to fix a chipped kitchen benchtop caused by accidentally dropping a barbecue plate while cleaning. The Tribunal determined that this constituted careless damage under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.