Tenant ordered to pay $2,150 in rent arrears
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay $2,150 in rent arrears immediately, despite the tenant's non-attendance at the hearing. The landlord presented rent records proving the amount owing.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant must pay rent arrears as ordered by the Tenancy Tribunal.
📖 Technical summary
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay rent arrears immediately.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay $2,150 in rent arrears immediately, despite their non-attendance at the hearing. The landlord proved the amount owing through rent records.
📚 Full judgment Official document
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[2026] NZTT 5366906
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. [NAME] must pay [COMPANY] $2,150.00 immediately, for rent arrears owing at the end of the tenancy.
Reasons:
1. The landlord attended the hearing which was held by teleconference. The tenant did not attend. I am satisfied that adequate service of the hearing notice has been completed and proceeded with the hearing in the tenant’s absence.
2. The landlord has applied for rent arrears following the end of the tenancy.
How much is owed for rent?
3. The tenancy ended on 6 August 2025. The landlord provided rent records which prove the amount owing, as ordered above.
[NAME]
17 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:
⚖️ What tends to weigh in cases like this
✅ Tends to be accepted
- The landlord's application for rent arrears was accepted because the tenancy had ended.
- The landlord proved the amount of rent owed by providing rent records.
- The hearing proceeded without the tenant because the tribunal was satisfied the tenant received proper notice.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay $2,150 in rent arrears immediately.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about unpaid rent arrears at the end of the tenancy.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided in favour of the landlord, as they provided proof of the rent arrears through rent records.
Which laws or rules were applied?
No specific laws or rules were mentioned in the judgment.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The landlord's presentation of rent records proving the amount owing was the most important argument.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the landlord, who brought the case.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone in a similar situation should ensure they have proof of rent arrears to present in court.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The rent records provided by the landlord mattered in this case.