Claimant wins rent dispute: Tenant ordered to pay $7,856.15
📌 In brief
In this case, the tenant did not attend the hearing, allowing the landlord to prove that rent was owed. As a result, the Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay $7,856.15 for unpaid rent and a filing fee reimbursement, while also returning the bond.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is entitled to recover unpaid rent and a refund of the bond if they can prove non-payment by evidence.
📖 Technical summary
The claimant was awarded rent arrears and filing fees, while the bond was returned.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal awarded the claimant $7,856.15 for unpaid rent and a filing fee reimbursement, while ordering the bond to be returned. The decision was based on evidence provided by the claimant regarding non-payment of rent.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
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[2026] NZTT 5502047
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. [RESPONDENT] must pay [APPELLANT] and [APPELLANT] $7,856.15 immediately, calculated as shown in table below.
2. The [COMPANY] is to pay the bond of $1,440.00 (5171781-004) to [NAME] [APPELLANT] and [APPELLANT] immediately.
Description Landlord Tenant Rent arrears to 11/05/2026 $9,268.15 Filing fee reimbursement $28.00 Total award $9,296.15 Bond $1,440.00 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $7,856.15
Reasons:
1. The applicant attended the hearing. The respondent did not.
2. The applicant tells me the tenancy concluded on the 11th of May 2026 by way of landlord notice.
3. The landlord has applied for rent arrears and has provided rent records which show the amount owing. I am satisfied these records are correct.
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4. Because the applicant has been successful in their application I have awarded the application filing fee.
[NAME] 29 May 2026
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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, or the failure to make an order, where the amount in dispute on appeal is
less than $1000 • a final order to undertake work, or the failure to make an order, where the value of the
work in dispute on appeal is 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:
📊 How courts decide similar cases
Among 12 similar decisions in this collection:
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant's Non-Appearance Leads to Landlord's Possession Order
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Must Pay Rent Arrears or Face Eviction
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenancy Tribunal Orders Tenant to Pay Rent Arrears and Damages
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenancy Terminated Due to Rent Arrears
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenancy Tribunal Rules: Tenant Must Clean Premises Before Leaving
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant's Failure to Return Constitutes Abandonment
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Must Tidy Lawns or Pay $1,000 - Tenancy Tribunal
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears and Damages
A snapshot of this collection — not a prediction of your case's outcome.
⚖️ What tends to weigh in cases like this
✅ Tends to be accepted
- Tenant provided evidence of non-payment to support their claim.
- Tenants are generally required to comply with tenancy obligations including rent payment and property condition.
- Landlords must provide valid notices and attend hearings for possession claims.
- Tenants must leave the premises in a reasonable state, removing all rubbish.
- Disputes over bond refunds between tenants are not typically within the tribunal's jurisdiction.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The claimant was awarded rent arrears and a refund of their filing fee, with the tenant's bond returned.
Who was involved?
A landlord (claimant) and a tenant (respondent).
How did the court decide, and why?
The claimant provided evidence showing rent arrears, leading to an award in their favour.
Which laws or rules were applied?
No specific laws were cited in this decision.
What was the argument that mattered most?
Evidence of unpaid rent and non-attendance by the tenant at the hearing.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the claimant.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
If you can prove that rent is owed and the other party doesn't attend, you may be successful in recovering unpaid rent.
What evidence or documents mattered?
Rent records showing arrears were crucial.
Can a decision like this be appealed?
Yes, but only if there was a substantial wrong or miscarriage of justice occurred.
Is it worth getting a lawyer for a case like this?
It is advisable to seek legal advice from a qualified professional.