Tenancy Terminated for Rent Arrears and Water Rates
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ended a tenancy because the tenant didn't show up for the hearing and had not paid rent for over 21 days. The tenant also owed money for water rates.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant's failure to attend the hearing results in the termination of their tenancy for rent arrears.
📖 What the law says
This rule states that the Tenancy Tribunal must end a tenancy if the landlord applies and the rent was at least 21 days overdue when the application was submitted. It also allows termination for substantial damage caused or threatened by the tenant, or for assault or threatened assault against the landlord or their family/agent/other occupier.
Plain-English explanation — does not replace advice from a lawyer.
📖 Technical summary
The tenancy was terminated due to rent arrears and water rates.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal terminated the tenancy of a tenant due to rent arrears and water rates after the tenant failed to make themselves available for the hearing. The termination was based on the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, section 55(1)(a).
📚 Full judgment Official document
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[2025] NZTT 5136629
TENANCY TRIBUNAL - Remote Location
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. The tenancy of [NAME] and [NAME] at [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE] is terminated, and possession is granted to [COMPANY], at 5pm on 23 February 2025
2. [COMPANY] is to pay the bond of $3,120.00 (5789767-004) to [COMPANY] immediately.
Description Landlord Tenant Rent arrears up to 23 February 2025 $3,690.00 Water rates up to 23 February 2025 $966.78 Filing fee reimbursement $27.00 Total award $4,683.78 Bond $3,120.00 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $1,563.78
Reasons:
1. The tenant failed to make themselves available for the hearing.
2. The landlord has applied for termination of the tenancy, rent arrears and refund of the bond.
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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 owing at the end of the tenancy.
5. Water rates were also in arrears.
6. The tenancy is terminated as at 23 February 2025 as sought.
S Munro
19 February 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 request for termination of the tenancy was granted.
- The landlord provided records that proved the amount of rent owed.
- The landlord was awarded the amount for water rates that were in arrears.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- The tenant failed to attend the hearing, which led to the tenancy being terminated.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The Tenancy Tribunal decided to terminate the tenancy due to rent arrears and water rates.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about unpaid rent and water rates that led to the termination of the tenancy.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided to terminate the tenancy because the tenant failed to attend the hearing and had significant rent arrears.
Which laws or rules were applied?
The Residential Tenancies Act 1986, section 55(1)(a) was applied.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The most important argument was the tenant's failure to attend the hearing and the proof of rent arrears.
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 tenancy terminated if they fail to pay rent on time and do not attend the hearing.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The rent records and proof of water rates in arrears were crucial pieces of evidence.