Tenant Must Tidy Lawns or Pay $1,000 - Tenancy Tribunal

OUTCOME: Allowed

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[2026] NZTT 5474389

TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA

APPLICANT: [redacted]

Landlord

RESPONDENT: [redacted]

Tenant

TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]

ORDER

1. The tenant must tidy the lawns at the premises and the berm outside the premises to a reasonably tidy standard within 21 days of the date of this order.

2. As an alternative to compliance with Order 1, the tenant must pay the landlord $1,000.00 immediately.

3. If the tenant fails to comply with either Order 1 or Order 2 then the landlord may undertake the work and charge the tenant the costs of this work up to a maximum of $1,000.00. These costs may be treated as rent in arrears and enforced accordingly.

Reasons:

1. Ms [RESPONDENT] attended the hearing for the landlord which was held by way of videoconference. The tenant was phoned on the number provided but the call went to voicemail.

2. I am satisfied that the tenant is in breach of her obligations in section 40(1) of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (the Act) by not keeping the lawns (front, back, and berm) reasonably tidy. I consider it appropriate here to make an order for the tenant to carry out the lawn tidying work: section 78(1)(e) of the Act.

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3. Where, as here, the work order is not being made by consent of both parties, the Tribunal must also make a monetary order as an alternative to compliance with the work order: sections 78(2) and 78(2AA) of the Act. The landlord provided evidence to support the estimated cost of between $900.00 and $1,000.00 to have the lawns tidied. Given the length of the lawns, the work is likely to include slashing the grass, clearing it, and then mowing the lawns.

4. If the tenant fails to tidy the lawns within the time specified or does not pay the alternative monetary order, being the maximum estimated costs to have the lawns tidied, then the landlord may undertake the work and claim the costs of doing the work up to the monetary limit of $1,000.00: sections 78(2AAB) and 78(2AAC)(a) of the Act.

[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: