Tenant ordered to pay $2,178.86 in rent arrears
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ruled that the tenant must pay $2,178.86 in rent arrears to the landlord. The decision was based on the landlord's proof of the amount owing at the end of the tenancy.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant must pay rent arrears to the landlord.
📖 Technical summary
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay rent arrears.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay $2,178.86 in rent arrears to the landlord, concluding that the tenant was responsible for the outstanding rent.
📚 Full judgment Official document
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[2025] NZTT 5060568
TENANCY TRIBUNAL - Remote
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: Unit/[ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. [NAME] and [NAME] must pay [COMPANY] $2,178.86 immediately, calculated as shown in the table below.
Description Landlord Tenant Rent arrears to 16/10/2024 $2,178.86 Total award $2,178.86 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $2,178.86
Reasons:
1. The landlord attended the hearing which was held by teleconference. The tenants were contacted several times on the contact numbers provided but without success. I was satisfied that adequate service of the hearing notice had been completed and deemed it reasonable to proceed with the hearing in the tenants’ absence.
2. The landlord has applied for rent arrears following the end of the tenancy.
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How much is owed for rent?
3. The tenancy ended on 16 October 2025. The landlord provided rent records which prove the amount owing at the end of the tenancy.
[NAME]
25 February 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 owed.
- The tenancy ended on 16 October 2025, and the rent arrears were calculated accordingly.
- The landlord successfully attended the hearing via teleconference.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- The tenants did not attend the hearing despite multiple attempts to contact them.
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 $2,178.86 in rent arrears to the landlord.
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 that the tenant must pay the rent arrears because the landlord provided proof of the amount owing.
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's provision of rent records proving the amount owing at the end of the tenancy.
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 any rent arrears to present in court.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The rent records provided by the landlord mattered in this case.