Tenant ordered to pay $1,972.54 in rent arrears
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay $1,972.54 in rent arrears to the landlord after confirming the amount owing at the end of the tenancy. The landlord had provided rent records proving the amount. The tenant did not attend the hearing.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant must pay rent arrears to the landlord if the amount is proven.
📖 Technical summary
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay rent arrears to the landlord.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay $1,972.54 in rent arrears to the landlord after confirming the amount owing at the end of the tenancy. The landlord had provided rent records proving the amount. The tenant did not attend the hearing.
📚 Full judgment Official document
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[2025] NZTT 5145309
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: Unit/[ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. [NAME] must pay [COMPANY] $1,972.54 immediately, being rent arrears to 29 November 2024.
Reasons:
1. Only the landlord attended the hearing, represented by [NAME]. Two calls were placed to the tenant at the number provided but both calls went to voicemail. I am satisfied that the tenant has been served with the landlord’s application and so the hearing proceeded in the tenant’s absence.
2. The landlord had originally applied for rent arrears and compensation for rubbish removal, but withdrew the claim for rubbish removal prior to the hearing and confirmed that the order for rent arrears was the only order sought.
3. [NAME] also advised that the landlord had filed this claim against two tenants but that one of the tenants had been released from the tenancy some time ago. I have therefore removed that tenant’s name from the order. The order is made against the tenant who remained in occupation until the end of the tenancy.
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4. The landlord has provided rent records which prove the amount owing at the end of the tenancy on 29 November 2024 ($1,972.54).
5. This landlord’s claim is proved.
[NAME]
30 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 [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 provided rent records proving the amount of rent arrears.
- The landlord successfully served the tenant with the application through voicemail notifications.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- The tenant did not attend the hearing to dispute the claims.
- The tenant did not provide any counter-evidence or arguments to refute the landlord's claim.
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 $1,972.54 in rent arrears to the landlord.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about unpaid rent arrears up to November 29, 2024.
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 owing and the tenant did not attend the hearing.
Which laws or rules were applied?
The Residential Tenancies Act 1986, section 54 was applied.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The most important argument was the landlord's provision of rent records proving the amount owing.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the landlord.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone in a similar situation should ensure they have proof of any rent arrears and attend all hearings.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The rent records provided by the landlord mattered.