Tenancy Tribunal Orders Tenant to Pay Compensation for End-of-Lease Obligations Violation
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ruled in favour of the landlord after the tenant failed to comply with their responsibilities at the end of the lease. The tenant was ordered to pay $630.45 for cleaning costs, rubbish removal, key replacement, and other expenses due to non-compliance.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is required to leave premises reasonably clean and tidy, remove all rubbish, return keys, and ensure security devices are functional upon termination of a lease.
📖 What the law says
This section outlines a tenant's responsibilities, including keeping the premises reasonably clean and tidy. When a tenancy ends, the tenant must leave the premises in a reasonably clean and tidy condition and remove all rubbish.
Plain-English explanation — does not replace advice from a lawyer.
📖 Technical summary
The claimant successfully sought compensation for cleaning, rubbish removal, and other costs incurred due to the tenant's failure to comply with their obligations at the end of the tenancy.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ruled in favour of the landlord, ordering the tenant to pay $630.45 for cleaning and other costs incurred due to non-compliance with end-of-lease obligations such as leaving premises clean, removing rubbish, returning keys, and ensuring smoke alarms are functional.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
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[2026] NZTT 5420302
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE], Granny Flat at the back of House
ORDER
1. [RESPONDENT] must pay [APPELLANT] and [NAME] [APPELLANT] $630.45 immediately, calculated as shown in table below.
Description Landlord Tenant Cleaning $251.00 Rubbish removal $200.00 Lock/key replacement $89.69 gate remote $35.00 Replace smoke alarms $26.76 Filing fee reimbursement $28.00 Total award $630.45 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $630.45
Reasons:
1. The landlord attended the hearing held on 3 June 2026 by video. The tenant did not join the hearing. An attempt was made to join the tenant to the hearing by telephone, but the call went to voicemail.
2. The landlord has applied for compensation and reimbursement of the filing fee following the end of the tenancy.
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Did the tenant comply with their obligations at the end of the tenancy?
3. At the end of the tenancy the tenant must leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy, remove all rubbish, return all keys and security devices, and leave all chattels provided for their benefit. See section 40(1)(e)(ii)-(v) Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
4. The tenant did not leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy, and did not remove all rubbish.
5. The tenant did not return the keys.
6. The landlord had to replace smoke alarms.
7. The amounts ordered are proved.
8. [APPELLANT], [NAME] [APPELLANT] has wholly succeeded with the claim I must reimburse the filing fee.
N [RESPONDENT]
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 Tenancy Terminated Due to Rent Arrears: Tenant Ordered to Pay Over $7,000
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenancy Terminated: Tenant Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Ordered to Vacate Due to Rent Arrears
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenancy Tribunal Allows Landlord to Recover Rent and End Tenancy
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenancy Tribunal Terminates Tenancy for Rent Arrears
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Ordered to Pay $6,512.25 for Repairs and Cleaning Costs
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenancy Terminated Due to Rent Arrears
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Ordered to Pay Landlord $2,627 in Rent Arrears and Damage 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 accepted
- Tenant leaves premises clean and tidy upon termination.
- Tenant pays rent on time as per agreement.
- Tenant responsible for leaving the property in good repair and cleanliness.
- Tenant must repay any rent arrears to avoid eviction.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The Tenancy Tribunal ruled in favour of the landlord, ordering the tenant to pay $630.45 for cleaning and other costs incurred due to non-compliance with end-of-lease obligations.
Who was involved?
A landlord and a tenant were involved in this dispute over the tenant's failure to comply with their responsibilities at the end of the lease.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided that the tenant must pay for cleaning costs and other expenses because they failed to leave the premises clean and tidy, remove rubbish, return keys, and ensure smoke alarms were functional.
Which laws or rules were applied?
The Residential Tenancies Act 1986 was applied, specifically section 40(1)(e) which outlines end-of-lease obligations.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The tenant's failure to comply with their legal obligation to leave the premises in a clean and tidy condition and remove all rubbish at the end of the lease was the central issue.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the landlord, as they were awarded compensation for cleaning and other costs.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Tenants must ensure that they comply with all end-of-lease obligations to avoid financial penalties or disputes.
What evidence or documents mattered?
Evidence of the condition of the property, cleaning and repair costs, and proof of non-compliance were key to the decision.
Can a decision like this be appealed?
Yes, either party can appeal within 10 working days using an Appeal to the District Court form.
Is it worth getting a lawyer for a case like this?
It is advisable to seek legal advice from a qualified lawyer to understand your rights and obligations in such cases.