Tenant ordered to pay $1,507.86 in rent arrears
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ruled that the tenant must pay $1,507.86 in overdue rent to the landlord. The landlord's request for compensation for repairing a broken kitchen window was denied because there wasn't enough proof.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant must pay proven rent arrears to the landlord.
📖 Technical summary
The Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay rent arrears but dismissed the landlord's claim for compensation.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay $1,507.86 in rent arrears to the landlord. The landlord's claim for compensation was dismissed due to insufficient evidence.
📚 Full judgment Official document
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[2025] NZTT 5101608
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. [NAME] must pay [COMPANY] $1,507.86 immediately, being rent arrears to 16 April 2025.
Description Landlord Tenant Rent arrears $1,507.86 Total award $1,507.86 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $1,507.86
Reasons:
1. The Landlord attended the hearing by telephone. The Tenant did not answer the telephone call made by the Tribunal to their mobile.
2. The Landlord has applied for rent arrears and compensation.
3. The landlord has applied for rent arrears and has provided rent records which prove the amount owing. The amount ordered is proved.
4. The Landlord also sought compensation for repairs made in November 2023 for a broken kitchen window.
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5. There was insufficient evidence provided to support this claim so it was dismissed.
[NAME] 16 April 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 0800 836 262 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 provided rent records proving the amount of rent arrears.
- The amount ordered is based on proven records.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- The landlord's claim for compensation for repairs made in November 2023 was dismissed due to insufficient evidence.
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 $1,507.86 in rent arrears to the landlord, while the landlord's claim for compensation was dismissed.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was over unpaid rent and whether the landlord was entitled to compensation for repairing a broken kitchen window.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided that the tenant must pay the rent arrears because the landlord provided proof of the amount owed. The claim for compensation was dismissed due to lack of evidence.
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 the landlord providing clear records proving the amount of rent arrears.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the landlord regarding the rent arrears but against the landlord regarding the compensation claim.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone in a similar situation should ensure they have clear records of rent payments and any claims for compensation should be supported by sufficient evidence.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The rent records provided by the landlord were crucial in proving the amount of rent arrears.