Tenant Must Pay for Meth Testing Costs After Illegal Drug Use
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ruled that a tenant must pay the landlord $456.50 for methamphetamine testing costs after the property was found to have been used for illegal drug consumption.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant must reimburse a landlord for methamphetamine testing costs if the property was used for illegal drug consumption.
📖 Technical summary
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to reimburse the landlord for methamphetamine testing costs.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay the landlord $456.50 for methamphetamine testing costs after the property was found to have been used for illegal drug consumption.
📚 Full judgment Official document
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[2025] NZTT 5096128
TENANCY TRIBUNAL - Palmerston North | Te Papaioea
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], Palmerston North, Palmerston North 4410
ORDER
1. [NAME] must pay Palmerston North City Council $456.50 immediately from the bond, being reimbursement of the methamphetamine testing costs.
2. The balance of the bond of $723.50 is to remain at the Bond Centre.
3. If the bond is no longer held by the Bond Centre, then the tenant must pay $456.50 to the landlord immediately.
Reasons:
1. The landlord attended the hearing. The tenant did not attend the hearing.
2. At the hearing, the landlord withdrew its application for the remediation costs for methamphetamine contamination.
3. The landlord claimed for the cost of methamphetamine testing which was positive and used in a prior successful application for termination based on the tenant using the premises for the unlawful purpose of consuming methamphetamine.
4. It is appropriate in these circumstances to award the landlord the costs incurred in having the property tested for contamination at the end of the tenancy as it was prudent for the landlord to have the tests done, given the positive proof that
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methamphetamine was consumed in the property in breach of the tenant’s obligations.
[NAME]
12 February 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 tested the property for methamphetamine contamination after the tenant was suspected of illegal drug use.
- The test results were positive, confirming the presence of methamphetamine.
- The tenant's obligation to maintain the property for lawful purposes was breached by using it for illegal drug consumption.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- The landlord's request for remediation costs for methamphetamine contamination was withdrawn during the hearing.
- There were no specific arguments presented by the tenant to challenge the testing costs or the breach of tenant obligations.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The tenant was ordered to pay the landlord $456.50 for methamphetamine testing costs.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about whether the tenant should pay for methamphetamine testing costs after the property was found to have been used for illegal drug consumption.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided that the tenant must pay the landlord for the testing costs because it was prudent for the landlord to test the property given the evidence of illegal drug use.
Which laws or rules were applied?
No specific laws or rules were mentioned in the judgment.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The most important argument was that the landlord had a valid reason to incur testing costs due to the tenant's illegal activities.
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 might also be required to pay for testing costs if their property was used for illegal activities.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The judgment does not specify the exact evidence or documents that were considered.