Landlord's Application Dismissed for Not Showing Up
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal dismissed the landlord's application because the landlord didn't show up for the scheduled hearing and didn't communicate with the Tribunal.
⚖️ Legal holding
A landlord's application to the Tenancy Tribunal is dismissed if they fail to appear and communicate during the scheduled hearing.
📖 What the law says
This section outlines the types of orders the Tenancy Tribunal can make. These include declaring rights or obligations, ordering possession of premises, or ordering payment of money.
This rule states that if a party is properly notified of a hearing but does not attend, the Tribunal can still proceed with the case, dismiss it, or postpone it.
Plain-English explanation — does not replace advice from a lawyer.
📖 Technical summary
The claimant's application was dismissed due to non-appearance and lack of communication.
📜 Headnote Official document
In a Tenancy Tribunal case, the landlord's application was dismissed because they failed to appear at the scheduled hearing and did not communicate with the Tribunal.
📚 Full judgment Official document
__________________________________________________________________________________ 5429628 1
[2026] NZTT 5429628
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA
APPLICANT: [redacted] [COMPANY] As Trustees For [COMPANY]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. The application is dismissed.
Reasons:
1. The landlord’s application was due to be heard by video conference at 2pm on 15 June 2026. The landlord did not join the call at that time but in case there had been technical difficulties an attempt was made to reach the landlord on the number provided without success.
2. A request for an adjournment had not been made or a notification to the Tribunal the matter has settled. See sections 78(1)(i) and 92(1) Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
3. The other party did not attend the hearing.
__________________________________________________________________________________ 5429628 2
J Robson
15 June 2026
__________________________________________________________________________________ 5429628 3
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/
__________________________________________________________________________________ 5429628 4
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 landlord did not request a delay or inform the Tribunal that the matter had been resolved.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The landlord's application was dismissed because they did not attend the scheduled hearing and did not communicate with the Tribunal.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about the landlord's application to the Tenancy Tribunal, which was supposed to address a tenancy issue.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided to dismiss the application because the landlord failed to appear at the scheduled hearing and did not communicate with the Tribunal.
Which laws or rules were applied?
Sections 78(1)(i) and 92(1) of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 were applied.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The most important argument was that the landlord failed to appear at the scheduled hearing and did not communicate with the Tribunal.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was against the landlord who brought the case.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone in a similar situation should ensure they attend all scheduled hearings and communicate with the Tribunal as required.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The judgment does not specify any particular evidence or documents that mattered.