Bond Released Despite Tenant Signature Discrepancies
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal decided to release the bond to the landlord even though there were differences in the signatures on the bond release form. This decision was based on the tenant's actions and agreements.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant's consent to release the bond can be inferred from their actions and agreements, even if signatures differ.
📖 Technical summary
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the bond to be released to the landlord despite discrepancies in signatures.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the release of the bond to the landlord despite discrepancies between signatures on the bond lodgement and release forms. The Tribunal found that the tenant's consent was evident through their actions and agreements.
📚 Full judgment Official document
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[2025] NZTT 5204352
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT NAPIER | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA KI AHURIRI
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenants
TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. [COMPANY] is to pay the bond of $2,500.00 (6026819-008) to [COMPANY] as Agent for [NAME] immediately.
Reasons:
1. The landlord attended the hearing. The tenants did not attend.
2. The tenancy ended on 22 February 2025.
3. The landlord notified the tenants of the compensation sought by the landlord comprising:
a. cleaning - $747.50
b. lawn and garden work - $112.50
c. carpet cleaning - $370.30
d. repairs - $770.80
e. laminate floor replacement - $1119.00.
4. The landlord confirmed that it would accept the bond in satisfaction of those claims.
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5. [NAME] had signed the bond lodgement form. [NAME] confirmed his agreement to the bond being released and returned to the landlord the bond release form signed by [NAME].
6. The landlord was concerned that [NAME]’s signature on the bond release does not exactly match her signature on the bond lodgement form and so sought an Order from the Tribunal. There are differences in the signatures.
7. Having heard the evidence I find it more likely than not that the bond release form provided to the landlord by [NAME], is signed by [NAME] and represents the tenants’ consent to the bond being paid to the landlord.
8. The evidence provided from the end of tenancy inspection report, invoices, quote and insurance confirmation, shows that release of the bond to the landlord is appropriate. An Order an order is made accordingly.
9. No order is made in respect of the filing fee.
B King
16 April 2025
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Please read carefully: Visit justice.govt.nz/tribunals/tenancy/rehearings-appeals for more information on rehearings and appeals.
Rehearings You can apply for a rehearing if you believe that a substantial wrong or miscarriage of justice has happened. For example: • you did not get the letter telling you the date of the hearing, or • the adjudicator improperly admitted or rejected evidence, or • new evidence, relating to the original application, has become available.
You must give reasons and evidence to support your application for a rehearing. A rehearing will not be granted just because you disagree with the decision. You must apply within five working days of the decision using the Application for Rehearing form: justice.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Forms/TT-Application-for-rehearing.pdf
Right of Appeal Both the landlord and the tenant can file an appeal. You should file your appeal at the District Court where the original hearing took place. The cost for an appeal is $260. You must apply within 10 working days after the decision is issued using this Appeal to the District Court form: justice.govt.nz/tribunals/tenancy/rehearings-appeals
Grounds for an appeal You can appeal if you think the decision was wrong, but not because you don’t like the decision. For some cases, there’ll be no right to appeal. For example, you can’t appeal: • against an interim order • a final order for the payment of less than $1000 • a final order to undertake work worth less than $1000.
Enforcement Where the Tribunal made an order about money or property this is called a civil debt. The Ministry of Justice Collections Team can assist with enforcing civil debt. You can contact the collections team on [PHONE] or go to justice.govt.nz/fines/civil-debt for forms and information.
Notice to a party ordered to pay money or vacate premises, etc. Failure to comply with any order may result in substantial additional costs for enforcement. It may also involve being ordered to appear in the District Court for an examination of your means or seizure of your property.
If you require further help or information regarding this matter, visit tenancy.govt.nz/disputes/enforcing- decisions or phone Tenancy Services on [PHONE].
Mēna ka hiahia koe ki ētahi atu awhina, kōrero ranei mo tēnei take, haere ki tenei ipurangi tenancy.govt.nz/disputes/enforcing-decisions, waea atu ki Ratonga Takirua ma runga [PHONE] ranei.
https://www.justice.govt.nz/tribunals/tenancy/rehearings-appeals https://www.justice.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Forms/TT-Application-for-rehearing.pdf https://www.justice.govt.nz/tribunals/tenancy/rehearings-appeals/ https://www.justice.govt.nz/fines/about-civil-debt/ https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/disputes/enforcing-decisions https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/disputes/enforcing-decisions http://www.tenancy.govt.nz/disputes/enforcing-decisions/
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A manaomia nisi faamatalaga poo se fesoasoani, e uiga i lau mataupu, asiasi ifo le matou aupega tafailagi: tenancy.govt.nz/disputes/enforcing-decisions, pe fesootai mai le Tenancy Services i le numera [PHONE].
Reasons:
⚖️ What tends to weigh in cases like this
✅ Tends to be accepted
- The tenant's actions and agreements inferred her consent to release the bond.
- Differences in signatures do not necessarily invalidate the tenant’s consent.
- Evidence from inspection reports, invoices, quotes, and insurance confirm the appropriateness of releasing the bond.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- The landlord's concern about a signature discrepancy preventing bond release was not upheld.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the release of the bond to the landlord despite discrepancies in signatures.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about whether the bond should be released to the landlord given discrepancies in signatures on the bond release form.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided to release the bond to the landlord because the tenant's consent was evident through their actions and agreements.
Which laws or rules were applied?
No specific laws or rules were cited in the decision.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The argument that mattered most was that the tenant's consent could be inferred from their actions and agreements.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the landlord who brought the case.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone in a similar situation might have their bond released even if there are discrepancies in signatures if their consent can be inferred from their actions.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The evidence included the bond lodgement form, the bond release form, and an end of tenancy inspection report.