Tenant Ordered to Pay $2,153.58 for Rent Arrears and Damages

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[2026] NZTT 5478470

TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT CHRISTCHURCH | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA KI ŌTAUTAHI

APPLICANT: [redacted]

Landlord

RESPONDENT: [redacted]

Tenant

TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]

ORDER

1. [NAME_3] must pay [COMPANY_1] as agent for [NAME_1] $2,153.58 immediately, calculated as shown in table below:

Description Landlord Tenant Rent arrears to 18 March 2026 $1,411.43 Cleaning $575.00 Carpet cleaning $180.00 Remove rubbish, clean bins, reattach pantry lighting, lawns, supply and hang curtains

$625.03

Repair front door glass and frame $424.12 Paint interior walls (dog damage) $750.00 Repaint front door after repairs $240.00 Filing fee reimbursement $28.00 Total award $4,233.58 Bond $2,080.00 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $2,153.58

2. The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $2,080.00 (5885072-002) to [COMPANY_1] as agent for [NAME_1] immediately.

3. The claim for medical expenses (the ACC surcharge) is dismissed.

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Reasons:

1. [NAME_4] represented the landlord. The tenant did not attend the hearing.

2. The landlord has applied for rent arrears, compensation, refund of the bond, and reimbursement of the filing fee following the end of the tenancy.

How much is owed for rent?

3. The tenancy ended on 18 March 2026. The landlord provided rent records which prove the amount of rent owing at the end of the tenancy.

Did the tenant comply with their obligations at the end of the tenancy?

4. At the end of the tenancy the tenant must leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy, remove all rubbish, return all keys and security devices, and leave all chattels provided for their benefit1.

5. The tenant did not leave the premises including the lawns and gardens reasonably clean and tidy and did not remove all rubbish.

Is the tenant responsible for the damage to the premises?

6. A landlord must prove that damage to the premises occurred during the tenancy and is more than fair wear and tear. If this is established, to avoid liability, the tenant must prove they did not carelessly or intentionally cause or permit the damage. Tenants are liable for the actions of people at the premises with their permission2.

7. The following damage was caused during the tenancy. Glass in the front door was broken and had to be replaced. The frame had to be repaired. Walls inside the premises had to be repainted due to dog damage. Damaged curtains had to be replaced and hung. A pantry light had to be reattached.

8. The damage is more than fair wear and tear, and the tenant has not disproved liability for the damage.

1 See section 40(1)(e)(ii)-(v) Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (RTA) 2 See sections 40(2)(a), 41 and 49B RTA

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9. The amounts ordered are proved by invoices and photos and by the evidence [NAME_4] gave at the hearing.

The claim for medical expenses.

10. [NAME_4] was attacked by the tenant’s dog following which she had to seek medical attention. She has claimed the cost of the surcharge after the ACC contribution.

11. The Tribunal cannot award that. The Accident Compensation Act 20013 prevents any Court or Tribunal awarding damages that are the result of an accepted ACC claim for personal injury.

Result

12. The bond will be paid to the landlord.

13. After the deduction of the bond, the tenant will pay the landlord $2,153.58 which includes reimbursement of the filing fee.

J Greene

12 June 2026

3 See section 317(1) Accident Compensation Act 2001

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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 [NAME_5]/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 [NAME_5]/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.[NAME_5]/disputes/enforcing-decisions https://www.[NAME_5]/disputes/enforcing-decisions http://www.[NAME_5]/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: [NAME_5]/disputes/enforcing-decisions, pe fesootai mai le Tenancy Services i le numera [PHONE].

Reasons: