Tenant Ordered to Pay $100 for Exit Cleaning Costs
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ruled that the tenant must pay $100 for exit cleaning from the bond because the premises were not left in a reasonably clean condition. The tenant argued that the premises were left in a similar state to how they received it, but the Tribunal disagreed.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is required to leave the premises in a reasonably clean condition.
📖 Technical summary
The Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay $100 for exit cleaning from the bond.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay $100 for exit cleaning from the bond, finding that the premises were not left reasonably clean despite some initial issues with cleanliness at the start of the tenancy.
📚 Full judgment Official document
__________________________________________________________________________________ 5212298, 5238554 1
[2025] NZTT 5212298, 5238554
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT [Event location suppressed]
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Tenant
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Landlord
TENANCY ADDRESS: [Tenancy address suppressed]
ORDER
1. An application for suppression has been made in this case, and the Tribunal orders suppression of the names and identifying details of both parties.
2. [[NAME]] to pay [The landlord/s] $100.00 from the bond, calculated as shown in table below.
3. [COMPANY] is to pay the bond of $100.00 ([Bond number suppressed]) to [The landlord/s] immediately. [COMPANY] is to pay the bond of $100.00 ([Bond number suppressed]) to [[NAME]] immediately.
Description Landlord Tenant Exit cleaning $100.00 Total award $100.00 Bond $100.00 $100.00
Reasons:
1. The landlord attended the teleconference hearing on 24 April 2025. The tenant did not.
2. The tenant applied for refund of the bond and reimbursement of the filing fee following the end of the tenancy.
__________________________________________________________________________________ 5212298, 5238554 2
3. The landlord has made a cross-application for compensation for exit cleaning and refund of the bond, and reimbursement of the filing fee following the end of the tenancy.
4. The bond had been refunded to the tenant with the exception of $200.00 held for this dispute following the end of the tenancy.
5. The landlord sought $200.00 for cleaning costs and claimed that the premises was not left reasonably clean and tidy.
6. The tenant, in written materials filed prior to the hearing, claimed that the premises was left reasonably clean and tidy. The tenant said that the premises was not provided in an immaculate state at the beginning of the tenancy and that the premises was left somewhat in a similar state to how they first found the premises.
7. I have looked carefully at the photos provided by both parties.
8. I find that the landlord has proven that the premises was not left reasonably clean. I accept that the kitchen cabinets had been caked in oil and some parts of the carpet had not been vacuumed properly.
9. However, I also take into account the state of the premises from the beginning of the premises. I also accept that the state of the premises at the end of the tenancy was only slightly worse than how it was given to the tenant in the first place.
10. Accordingly, I order the tenant to pay the landlord $100.00 for the final cleaning. This is to be paid from the bond.
11. The remaining bond of $100.00 is to be refunded to the tenant.
12. As no party was wholly or substantially successful, I make no orders for reimbursement of the filing fee.
[NAME] 21 May 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.
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].
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/
Reasons:
⚖️ What tends to weigh in cases like this
✅ Tends to be accepted
- The landlord proved that the premises was not left reasonably clean.
- The kitchen cabinets were caked in oil.
- Some parts of the carpet had not been vacuumed properly.
- The state of the premises at the end of the tenancy was only slightly worse than at the beginning.
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 $100 for exit cleaning from the bond.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was over whether the tenant left the premises reasonably clean upon ending the tenancy.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided that the tenant must pay for exit cleaning because the premises were not left reasonably clean, despite some initial issues with cleanliness at the start of the tenancy.
Which laws or rules were applied?
No specific laws or rules were mentioned in the judgment.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The argument that mattered most was the condition of the premises at the end of the tenancy compared to its condition at the start.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was against the tenant who brought the case for a bond refund.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone in a similar situation should ensure that the premises are left in a reasonably clean condition to avoid having to pay for exit cleaning.
What evidence or documents mattered?
Photos provided by both parties were considered important evidence.