Tenant Entitled to Bond Return with Deductions
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal decided that the bond should be returned to both the landlord and tenant, with deductions for rent arrears and carpet cleaning costs. This decision reflects the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants under New Zealand law.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is entitled to have their bond returned with deductions for damages and rent arrears.
📖 Technical summary
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the bond to be paid to the tenant and landlord.
📜 Headnote Official document
In a Tenancy Tribunal ruling, the bond was ordered to be paid to both the landlord and tenant, with deductions for rent arrears and carpet cleaning costs.
📚 Full judgment Official document
__________________________________________________________________________________ 5157515 1
[2025] NZTT 5157515
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $2,880.00 () immediately apportioned as follows:
[NAME] and [NAME] as agent for [NAME]: $74.00
[NAME] and [NAME]: $2,806.00
Description Landlord Tenant Carpet Cleaning $250.00 Filing fee reimbursement $27.00 Rent credit $203.00 Total award $277.00 $203.00 Net award $74.00 Bond $74.00 $2,806.00
__________________________________________________________________________________ 5157515 2
Reasons:
1. Both parties attended the hearing.
[NAME]
17 April 2025
__________________________________________________________________________________ 5157515 3
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.
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].
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/
Reasons:
⚖️ What tends to weigh in cases like this
✅ Tends to be accepted
- The landlord was awarded $27 for the filing fee reimbursement.
- The Bond Centre was ordered to pay the bond of $2,880.00.
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 paid to both the landlord and tenant, with deductions for rent arrears and carpet cleaning costs.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about the amount of the bond to be returned to the landlord and tenant, including deductions for rent arrears and carpet cleaning.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided that the bond should be returned with deductions for rent arrears and carpet cleaning costs, as these were legitimate deductions under the Residential Tenancies Act.
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 legitimacy of the deductions claimed by the landlord from the bond.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was partly for and partly against the person who brought the case, as the bond was returned with deductions.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
For someone in a similar situation, it means that the bond can be returned with legitimate deductions such as rent arrears and damage costs.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The judgment does not specify the evidence or documents that mattered.