Tenancy Tribunal Terminates Tenancy Due to Rent Arrears
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ended the tenancy of a tenant because the rent was over 21 days late. The landlord successfully proved the amount owed through rent records and a ledger.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is entitled to terminate a tenancy for rent arrears exceeding 21 days.
📖 What the law says
This section allows the Tenancy Tribunal to end a tenancy if the rent is at least 21 days overdue when the landlord applies to the Tribunal. It also covers situations where a tenant has caused or threatened significant damage to the property, or has assaulted or threatened 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 exceeding 21 days, as per the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, s 55(1)(a).
📚 Full judgment Official document
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[2025] NZTT 5221958
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. The tenancy of [NAME] and [NAME] at [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE] is terminated, and possession is granted to [COMPANY] As Agent For 16R - [NAME], immediately.
2. The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $2,319.94 (3489770-009) to [COMPANY] As Agent For 16R - [NAME] immediately.
3. [NAME] and [NAME] must pay [COMPANY] As Agent For 16R - [NAME] $1,124.82 immediately, calculated as shown in the table below:
Description Landlord Tenant Rent arrears to 28.5.25 $3,417.76 Filing fee reimbursement $27.00 Total award $3,444.76 Bond $2,319.94 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $1,124.82
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Reasons:
1. The landlord attended the hearing via remote video conference. The tenants did not attend the video hearing. Several attempts were made to contact the tenants on both telephone numbers provided with the application. All attempts were unsuccessful.
2. The landlord has applied for termination of the tenancy, rent arrears and refund of the bond.
3. 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.
4. The landlord provided rent records which prove the amount owing at the end of the tenancy. The landlord also provided an updated rent ledger confirming the current rent arrears. Having sighted this document I am satisfied that the tenants are responsible for this debt.
5. The claim for rent arrears is proven.
6. The tenants emailed the registry this morning with a selection of photographs and two short videos alleging issues with the property. In the absence of a tenant cross application these claims cannot be considered.
7. [COMPANY] As Agent For 16R - [NAME] has wholly succeeded with the claim I must reimburse the filing fee.
M Manhire
28 May 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 landlord proved that rent was at least 21 days in arrears.
- The landlord provided rent records proving the amount owing.
- The landlord showed an updated rent ledger confirming current arrears.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- The tenants did not attend the hearing and did not provide any counter-evidence.
- The tenants sent emails with photos and videos alleging issues with the property without filing a cross-application.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The Tenancy Tribunal terminated the tenancy of the tenant due to rent arrears exceeding 21 days.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about whether the tenancy should be terminated due to unpaid rent that was over 21 days late.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided to terminate the tenancy because the landlord proved that the rent was over 21 days late with rent records and a ledger.
Which laws or rules were applied?
The Residential Tenancies Act 1s 55(1)(a) was applied.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The most important argument was the proof of rent arrears exceeding 21 days, provided by the landlord.
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 could have their tenancy terminated if they fail to pay rent that is over 21 days late.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The rent records and an updated rent ledger mattered in proving the rent arrears.