Rent Arrears Lead to Termination of Tenancy
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ended a tenant's lease because they were behind on their rent payments by at least 21 days. The landlord showed proof of these missed payments, resulting in the termination of the tenancy.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant's tenancy can be terminated if rent is at least 21 days in arrears.
📖 What the law says
This rule states that the Tenancy Tribunal must end a tenancy if a landlord applies and can show that the rent was at least 21 days late when the application was made. It also allows for termination if the tenant has caused or threatened significant damage to the property, or has assaulted or threatened the landlord or their family/agent.
Plain-English explanation — does not replace advice from a lawyer.
📖 Technical summary
The tenancy was terminated due to rent arrears.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal terminated the tenancy of a tenant due to rent arrears of at least 21 days. The landlord provided proof of the arrears, leading to the termination order under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
📚 Full judgment Official document
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[2025] NZTT 5152011
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT CHRISTCHURCH | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA KI ŌTAUTAHI
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: Unit/[ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. The tenancy of [NAME] at Unit/[ADDRESS], [POSTCODE] is terminated, and possession is granted to [COMPANY], at 11.59pm on Friday 28 March 2025.
2. The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $356.00 (3138044-011) to [COMPANY] immediately.
3. [NAME] must pay [COMPANY] $1,032.13 immediately, calculated as shown in the table below:
Description Landlord Tenant Rent arrears to 28 March 2025 $1,361.13 Filing fee reimbursement $27.00 Total award $1,388.13 Bond $356.00 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $1,032.13
Reasons:
1. The landlord’s representatives attended the hearing. The tenant did not attend.
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2. The landlord has applied for termination of the tenancy, rent arrears, and refund of the bond.
3. Rent was at least 21 days in arrears on the date the application was filed. The tenancy is terminated. See section 55(1)(a) Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
4. The landlord provided rent records which prove the amount of rent owing as of today.
5. As the application is successful, the tenant must pay the landlord’s Tribunal filing fee.
J Greene
28 March 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 landlord's application for termination and arrears was successful because the tenant's rent was overdue by at least 21 days.
- The landlord successfully proved the amount of rent owed by providing rent records.
- The landlord was awarded the filing fee because their application was successful.
- The tenancy was terminated, and possession was granted to the landlord.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- The tenant did not attend the hearing, which meant their arguments were not presented.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The tenancy was terminated due to rent arrears of at least 21 days.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about whether the tenant's arrears justified terminating the tenancy.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided to terminate the tenancy because the landlord proved that the rent was at least 21 days in arrears.
Which laws or rules were applied?
The Residential Tenancies Act 1986, specifically section 55(1)(a), was applied.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The argument that mattered most was the landlord proving that the rent was at least 21 days in arrears.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was against the tenant who brought the case.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone in a similar situation could face termination of their tenancy if they fall behind on rent payments by at least 21 days.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The rent records provided by the landlord mattered in proving the amount of rent owing.