Tenancy Tribunal Orders Bond for Cleaning and Rubbish Removal Costs
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ruled that the bond should be split between the landlord and tenants. The landlord received $366.62 from the bond to cover cleaning and rubbish removal costs. This decision was based on the agreement reached between the parties during the hearing.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is required to pay for cleaning and rubbish removal costs upon termination of the tenancy.
📖 Technical summary
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the bond to be apportioned between the landlord and tenants, with the landlord receiving $366.62 for cleaning and rubbish removal costs.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the bond to be apportioned between the landlord and tenants, with the landlord receiving $366.62 for cleaning and rubbish removal costs. The decision was based on the agreement between the parties and the evidence presented during the hearing.
📚 Full judgment Official document
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[2025] NZTT 5022466
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. [NAME] and [NAME] to pay [COMPANY] As Agent For [NAME] $366.62 from the bond, calculated as shown in table below.
2. The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $2,260.00 (3326814-008) immediately apportioned as follows:
[COMPANY] As Agent For [NAME]: $366.62
[NAME] and [NAME]: $1,893.38 Description Landlord Tenant Cleaning $258.75 Rubbish removal $80.87 Filing fee reimbursement $27.00 Total award $366.62 Bond $366.62 $1,893.38
Reasons:
1. Both parties attended the hearing. [NAME] attended for the landlord, and [NAME] and [NAME] attended for the tenants.
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2. The landlord has applied for compensation, refund of the bond, and reimbursement of the filing fee following the end of the tenancy.
3. An initial hearing was conducted by Adjudicator King on 28 January 2025. At that hearing, the substantive matters were adjourned to allow the parties to upload photographs. The portion of the bond that was not being claimed by the landlord was ordered to be released to the tenants.
4. Having made inquiries today, I have been advised that as of today’s date the Bond Centre is still holding the full bond, as the tenants have not yet made contact with the Bond Centre.
5. This order therefore addresses the total bond of $2,260.00, and not just the portion that had been ordered to be retained by the Bond Centre.
6. The tenants can contact the Bond Centre by phoning [PHONE].
The landlord’s application
7. The landlord’s application today is for costs for cleaning, carpet cleaning, and disposal of rubbish.
8. In the course of the hearing, the parties agreed that the tenants would pay the costs of cleaning and disposing of the rubbish, and the landlord would withdraw the claim for carpet cleaning.
9. This is ordered by consent of the parties.
10. [COMPANY] As Agent For [NAME] has substantially succeeded with the claim I have reimbursed the filing fee.
[NAME]
30 April 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 tenants agreed to pay for cleaning costs.
- The tenants agreed to pay for rubbish disposal costs.
- The landlord succeeded with the claim, so the filing fee was reimbursed.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- The landlord's claim for carpet cleaning was withdrawn.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the bond to be apportioned, with the landlord receiving $366.62 for cleaning and rubbish removal costs.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about the amount the tenants owed the landlord for cleaning and rubbish removal costs after the tenancy ended.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided based on the agreement between the parties and the evidence presented during the hearing.
Which laws or rules were applied?
No specific laws or rules were mentioned in the judgment.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The argument that mattered most was the agreement between the landlord and tenants regarding the costs for cleaning and rubbish removal.
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 should ensure they have clear agreements with their tenants regarding cleaning and rubbish removal costs.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The judgment does not specify the evidence or documents that mattered.