Tenancy Tribunal Orders Tenants to Pay Expenses and Filing Fee
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ruled that tenants must pay a balance of expenses and a filing fee to the landlord. The tenants had previously agreed to release the bond to cover most of their debt but still owed $328.26 for the landlord's expenses.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is required to pay the landlord for incurred expenses and the filing fee.
📖 Technical summary
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered tenants to pay a balance of expenses and a filing fee to the landlord.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenants to pay a balance of expenses incurred by the landlord and a filing fee. The tenants had agreed to release the bond to cover most of their debt but still owed $328.26 for the landlord's expenses.
📚 Full judgment Official document
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[2025] NZTT 5214291
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENTS: [redacted]
Tenants
TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
[NAME] and [NAME] must pay [COMPANY] as agent for [COMPANY] c/o [NAME] $355.26 immediately, calculated as shown in the table below:
Description Landlord Balance of expenses incurred by the tenants $328.26 Filing fee reimbursement $27.00 Total award $355.26
Reasons:
1. The hearing was conducted remotely on Microsoft Teams.
2. [NAME], the property manager, attended for the landlord.
3. The tenants did not attend. The hearing proceeded in their absence.
4. The tenants incurred expenses to the landlord during the tenancy. The tenants have agreed to the bond being released to the landlord which has accounted for most of their debt, but not a balance of $328.26.
5. I am satisfied that the tenants still owe the landlord $328.26 for the landlord’s expenses. The Tribunal orders the tenants to pay the outstanding amount.
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6. The tenants must also reimburse the landlord for the filing fee.
7. I add, it probably in the tenants’ best interests that they pay the amount the Tribunal has ordered without delay because otherwise it is likely they will incur significant further costs for the landlord’s enforcement proceedings.
[NAME]
04 June 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 0800 836 262 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 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 release the bond to the landlord, covering part of their debt.
- The landlord incurred expenses during the tenancy that the tenants still owe.
- The tenants did not attend the hearing, allowing the case to proceed in their absence.
- The landlord is entitled to reimbursement for the filing fee.
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 tenants to pay a balance of expenses and a filing fee to the landlord.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about the tenants owing the landlord for expenses incurred during the tenancy and the filing fee.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided that the tenants must pay the outstanding amount because they had agreed to release the bond to cover most of their debt but still owed $328.26 for the landlord's expenses.
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 that the tenants had agreed to release the bond to cover most of their debt but still owed $328.26 for the landlord's expenses.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the landlord.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone in a similar situation should ensure they pay any outstanding amounts to avoid further costs and potential enforcement actions.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The judgment does not specify the evidence or documents that mattered.