Tenant ordered to pay $2,875 in rent arrears
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered a tenant to pay $2,875 in rent arrears to their landlord after the tenant failed to attend the hearing. The landlord provided proof of the arrears through rent records.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is required to pay rent arrears as ordered by the Tenancy Tribunal.
📖 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 $2,875 in rent arrears to the landlord after three unsuccessful attempts to contact the tenant. The landlord provided proof of the arrears through rent records.
📚 Full judgment Official document
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[2025] NZTT 5093914
TENANCY TRIBUNAL - Remote Location
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. [NAME] must pay [COMPANY] $2,875.00 immediately, being rent arrears to 25 February 2025, as shown in the table below:
Description Landlord Tenant Rent arrears to 25.2.2025 $2,875.00 Total award $2,875.00 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $2,875.00
Reasons:
1. Only the landlord, represented by [NAME], attended the hearing, which was conducted via teleconference. Three attempts were made to contact the tenant, and on each occasion, the call went to voicemail. As the tenant has been notified, the hearing proceeded.
2. The landlord has applied for rent arrears and has provided rent records which prove the amount owing. The updated rent summary, provided after the hearing, records the additional payment made by the tenant, which the landlord received on the day of the hearing. Taking this payment into account, the amount payable by the tenant is awarded above.
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3. The landlord had hoped to reach agreement on a repayment plan with the tenant. However, this was not possible, since the tenant did not attend the hearing.
Filing fee
4. While successful, the landlord does not seek the filing fee.
[NAME]
26 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's claim for rent arrears was supported by rent records.
- The amount of rent arrears was adjusted to account for a payment made by the tenant on the day of the hearing.
- The hearing proceeded because the tenant had been notified, despite not attending.
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 $2,875 in rent arrears to the landlord.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about unpaid rent arrears.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided that the tenant must pay the landlord $2,875 in rent arrears because the landlord provided proof of the arrears and the tenant did not attend the hearing.
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 proof of rent arrears provided by the landlord.
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 attend hearings and provide evidence if disputing rent arrears.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The judgment mentions rent records provided by the landlord.