Tenancy Terminated for Rent Arrears Over 21 Days
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ended the tenancy of a tenant because they failed to pay rent for over 21 days. The landlord showed proof of the unpaid rent, and the tenant did not show up to the hearing.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant's failure to pay rent for at least 21 days can lead to termination of the tenancy.
📖 What the law says
This rule states that the Tenancy Tribunal must end a tenancy if the landlord applies and can show that the rent was at least 21 days late when the application was made. It also covers situations where a tenant has caused significant damage or assaulted 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 the tenant due to rent arrears of at least 21 days. The landlord provided proof of the arrears, and the tenant did not attend the hearing.
📚 Full judgment Official document
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[2025] NZTT 5114868
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA
APPLICANT: [redacted] [NAME]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: Unit/[ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. The tenancy of [NAME] and [NAME] at Unit/[ADDRESS], [POSTCODE] is terminated, and possession is granted to [COMPANY] As Agent For [NAME], at 11.59 am on Thursday 6 March 2025.
2. The [COMPANY] is to pay the bond of $2,800.00 (5241137-022) to [COMPANY] As Agent For [NAME] immediately.
3. [NAME] and [NAME] must pay [COMPANY] As Agent For [NAME] $13,217.00 immediately, calculated as shown in the table below:
Description Landlord Tenant Rent arrears $15,990.00 Filing fee reimbursement $27.00 Total award $16,017.00 Bond $2,800.00 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $13,217.00
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Reasons:
1. The landlord attended the video hearing.
2. The tenants did not attend the hearing by Teams video link. Telephone calls to the tenants were not answered.
3. The landlord has applied for termination of the tenancy, rent arrears and refund of the bond.
4. 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.
5. The landlord provided rent records which prove the amount owing at the end of the tenancy is $1,5990.00.
6. As [COMPANY] As Agent For [NAME] has wholly succeeded with the claim I must order the tenants to reimburse the filing fee.
S Young
03 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 tenancy was terminated because the rent was overdue by at least 21 days when the application was filed.
- The landlord proved the amount of rent owing with provided rent records.
- The tenants were ordered to reimburse the filing fee because the landlord fully succeeded with the claim.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- The tenants did not attend the hearing, so their arguments were not heard.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The tenancy was terminated because the tenant did not pay rent for over 21 days.
What was the dispute about?
The landlord claimed that the tenant owed rent arrears for over 21 days.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided to terminate the tenancy because the landlord proved the rent arrears, and the tenant did not attend the hearing.
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 landlord's proof of rent arrears for over 21 days was the key argument.
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?
If a tenant fails to pay rent for over 21 days, the landlord can terminate the tenancy.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The landlord provided rent records showing the arrears.