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AllowedTenancy Tribunal·

Tenant Must Pay Rent Arrears or Face Eviction

Case No. [2026] NZTT 5475490

📌 In brief

The Tenancy Tribunal ruled that a tenant must repay $1,138 in unpaid rent and continue paying regular rent to avoid eviction from their rental property.

⚖️ Legal holding

A tenant is required to pay rent arrears and ongoing rent to avoid tenancy termination under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.

Topics

rent arrearsconditional termination

Provisions

📖 Technical summary

The Tribunal granted a conditional termination order for rent arrears.

📜 Headnote Official document

The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay $1,138 in rent arrears and ongoing weekly rent payments. If the tenant fails to comply within five working days of due dates, the tenancy will terminate.

📚 Full judgment Official document

OUTCOME: Allowed

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[2026] NZTT 5475490

TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA

APPLICANT: [redacted]

Landlord

RESPONDENT: [redacted]

Tenant

TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]

ORDER

1. [RESPONDENT] owes [APPELLANT] and [NAME] $1,138.00 (“the debt”) for rent arrears to 15 June 2026.

2. [RESPONDENT] must pay rent and the debt as follows:

a. By a weekly payment of $214.00 for rent on 16 June 2026.

b. A final payment of $1,352.00 on 23 June 2026, being $214.00 for rent and $1,138.00 for the debt.

3. Payments will be allocated in the following order: Rent and the debt.

4. If the tenant fails to pay rent and the debt within 5 working days of the due dates:

a. The tenancy at [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE] will terminate and the landlord will have immediate possession of the premises.

b. The balance of the debt will be payable immediately.

Reasons:

1. The landlord attended the hearing. The tenant did not attend, and the hearing proceeded in their absence.

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2. The landlord has applied for termination of the tenancy and rent arrears; however, the landlord wants to allow the tenant time to repay the debt to avoid immediate termination.

Should a conditional termination order be made?

3. Where rent is at least 21 days in arrears on the date the application was filed, the Tribunal must make either a final or a conditional termination order. See section 55(1)(a) and (1A) RTA.

4. The landlord provided rent records which prove the amount owing of $1,138.00 to 15 June 2026.

5. Although the tenant did not attend the hearing or provide evidence of their ability to pay the rent arrears, based on discussions with the landlord I am satisfied the tenant will pay the debt within the period specified in the order and is unlikely to commit any further relevant breach. I have granted a conditional termination order.

6. The conditional termination order will lapse if it is fully complied with. If the tenant breaches the order, the possession order may be enforced for 90 days from the first breach. See section 64(4)(b) RTA.

[NAME]

09 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:

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 agrees to pay arrears and comply with conditions set by the Tribunal.
  • Tenant must repay rent arrears to avoid immediate tenancy termination.
  • Tenant's failure to return to premises after arranging a meeting for handover constitutes abandonment.
  • Tenant is required to pay rent arrears and the landlord's filing fees when found in breach of rental obligations.
  • Tenant is responsible for rent arrears, cleaning costs, and damage to property beyond fair wear and tear.

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 $1,138 in arrears plus ongoing weekly rent or face eviction.

Who was involved?

A landlord and a tenant were involved in the dispute over unpaid rent.

How did the court decide, and why?

The Tribunal granted a conditional termination order based on the landlord's evidence of arrears and the tenant's failure to attend or provide evidence.

Which laws or rules were applied?

Section 54 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 was cited for handling rent arrears.

What was the argument that mattered most?

The landlord provided proof of unpaid rent, and the tenant's absence without explanation was critical.

Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?

The decision was in favour of the landlord.

What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?

A tenant must pay outstanding rent to avoid eviction and further legal action.

What evidence or documents mattered?

Rent records showing arrears were crucial.

Can a decision like this be appealed?

Yes, appeals can be filed within 10 working days at the District Court.

Is it worth getting a lawyer for a case like this?

Consulting with a qualified lawyer is advisable to understand your rights and options.

Official source: Tenancy Tribunal headnote and full judgment reproduced from the court's public records. View on the official source ↗Summary, holding, technical summary and questions: produced by Artificial Intelligence based on the official headnote and judgment. These are VadeLab’s own material and are not the work of the Court.This decision was issued by the Tenancy Tribunal and is reproduced from its published records. VadeLab is not affiliated with, and this page is not endorsed by, that court or tribunal.