Tenant Ordered to Pay $20,000 for Property Damage
📌 In brief
In a recent Tenancy Tribunal case, a tenant agreed to pay $20,000 to compensate for damage to the rented property. The agreement was reached by mutual consent, and the names of both parties were kept confidential.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant must compensate a landlord for damage caused to the premises during the tenancy period.
📖 Technical summary
The Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay $20,000 in compensation for damage to the premises.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay $20,000 in compensation for damage to the premises. The order was made by consent between the parties, and their names and identifying details were suppressed.
📚 Full judgment Official document
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[2025] NZTT 4953794
TENANCY TRIBUNAL - [Event location suppressed]
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. By consent, the Tribunal orders suppression of the tenant and landlord’s names and identifying details.
2. [The tenant/s] must pay [The landlord/s] $20,000.00 in compensation for damage to the premises (the Debt) in the following way:
a. [The tenant/s] will pay [The landlord/s] $3,000.00 by 11:59pm on 28 February 2025;
b. [The tenant/s] will pay [The landlord/s] $200.00 each week commencing Monday 10 March 2025 and every Monday thereafter until the Debt is paid in full.
3. The remainder of the landlord’s claims are dismissed.
Reasons:
1. Both parties attended the hearing.
2. During the hearing, the parties requested an adjournment to discuss settlement.
3. The parties confirmed settlement had been reached and they sought an order by consent.
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4. Part of the agreed settlement was the removal of [NAME]’s name from the tenancy and from this order. [NAME]’s name is therefore removed as a party to these proceedings.
5. By consent, both parties names are suppressed.
6. The parties were provided with a printed copy of this order and both parties confirmed the contents were agreed.
[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 parties reached an agreement during the hearing to settle the dispute.
- The tenant must pay the landlord $20,000 for damages to the property.
- The tenant's name was removed as a party from the proceedings as part of the settlement.
- Both parties agreed to the contents of the order.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- The landlord's other claims were dismissed.
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 $20,000 in compensation for damage to the premises.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about the tenant causing damage to the rented property and the landlord seeking compensation.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided by consent, as both parties agreed to settle the matter outside of court proceedings.
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 agreement between the tenant and landlord to settle the matter by mutual consent.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the landlord, as the tenant agreed to pay compensation for the damage.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone in a similar situation might consider reaching a settlement agreement with the other party to avoid lengthy legal proceedings.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The judgment does not specify any particular evidence or documents that were considered.