Tenancy Tribunal Dismisses Tenant's Claim Due to Absence
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal dismissed a tenant’s claim for non-attendance at the hearing and ordered the bond of $2,160 to be returned due to lack of landlord's counterclaim. The decision highlights the importance of attending hearings as required by law.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant’s application is dismissed if they do not attend the hearing as required by the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
📖 What the law says
This section allows the Tenancy Tribunal to make various orders when dealing with a claim. These orders can include declaring the status of premises or agreements, clarifying the rights or obligations of parties, ordering a party to give possession of premises to another, or ordering a party to deliver specific items.
Plain-English explanation — does not replace advice from a lawyer.
📖 Technical summary
The Tenancy Tribunal dismissed a tenant's claim for non-attendance and ordered the bond to be returned due to lack of landlord's counterclaim.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal dismissed a tenant’s claim for non-attendance at the hearing and ordered the bond of $2,160 to be returned due to lack of landlord's counterclaim under section 22B(2) of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Dismissed
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[2026] NZTT 5369482
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT NORTH SHORE | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA KI ŌKAHUKURA
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Tenant
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Landlord
TENANCY ADDRESS: Unit/Flat 1/404, [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. The [COMPANY] is to pay the bond of $2,160.00 (BN-17536056) to [NAME] and [NAME] immediately.
2. The remaining claims by the tenants are dismissed for non-attendance.
Description Landlord Tenant Total award Bond $2,160.00
Reasons:
1. The landlord attended the hearing. There was no appearance by the applicants.
2. The applicants did not attend the hearing at the scheduled time, request an adjournment, or notify the Tribunal the matter has settled. See sections 78(1)(i) and 92(1) Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
3. The application is dismissed for non-attendance.
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4. The tenants have applied for refund of the bond. The landlord has not filed a counterclaim with Tenancy Services.
5. Section 22B(2) Residential Tenancies Act 1986 provides that, where a tenant applies for refund of the bond, and the landlord seeks payment from the bond, the landlord must file an application setting out the details of the counterclaim. Because the landlord has not filed a counterclaim the bond is refunded in full to the tenant.
6. The tenancy ended on 13 July 2025. Notwithstanding the tenant’s non- attendance today, and in the absence of an application by the landlord against the bond, I find that it is appropriate to return the bond in full to the tenants.
7. The tenant’s application has otherwise been dismissed and therefore I do not grant their request for name suppression. I also do not reimburse the filing fee.
M [NAME]
03 June 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 Ordered to Pay $6,512.25 for Repairs and Cleaning Costs
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenancy Terminated Due to Rent Arrears: Tenant Ordered to Pay Over $7,000
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- Tenancy Tribunal Tenancy Tribunal Orders Tenant to Pay Compensation for End-of-Lease Obligat…
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Ordered to Vacate Due to Rent Arrears
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Successfully Claims Bond Refund from Landlord
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenancy Terminated: Tenant Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears and Repair Costs
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Ordered to Repay Rent Arrears to Avoid Eviction
A snapshot of this collection — not a prediction of your case's outcome.
⚖️ What tends to weigh in cases like this
❌ Tends to be rejected
- The tenant did not attend the hearing as required by the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The Tenancy Tribunal dismissed a tenant’s claim for non-attendance and ordered the bond refund.
Who was involved?
A tenant and a landlord were involved in the dispute over a tenancy bond.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided that the tenant's application was dismissed due to their non-attendance at the hearing as required by law.
Which laws or rules were applied?
Sections 78(1)(i) and 22B(2) of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 were applied.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The tenant's non-attendance at the hearing as required by law was the central reason for dismissal.
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 should ensure they attend all scheduled hearings to avoid having their claims dismissed.
What evidence or documents mattered?
No specific evidence or documents were mentioned as crucial; attendance at the hearing was key.
Can a decision like this be appealed?
Yes, decisions can generally be appealed within 10 working days to the District Court.
Is it worth getting a lawyer for a case like this?
It is advisable to seek legal advice from a qualified lawyer for specific guidance on your situation.
