Tenant Ordered to Pay $4,410 in Rent Arrears
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ruled that the tenant must pay $4,410 in overdue rent to the landlord. The tenant agreed to a payment plan of $50 per week.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is required to pay rent arrears to the landlord under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
📖 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 $4,410 in rent arrears to the landlord, with weekly payments of $50 starting 19 March 2025.
📚 Full judgment Official document
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[2025] NZTT 5116768
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: Room Studio, [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. [NAME] must pay [COMPANY] $4,410.00, being rent arrears to 25 August 2024.
2. The tenant must pay the debt in order of the rent arrears at the rate of $50.00 per week.
3. The first payment must be made on Wednesday 19 March 2025 and payments must continue Wednesday each week until the debt is paid in full.
4. If the tenant fails to make any payment within 2 working days of the due date, the balance of the debt owing will be payable immediately and can be enforced through the District Court.
Description Landlord Tenant Rent arrears $4,410.00 Total award $4,410.00 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $4,410.00
Reasons:
1. Both parties attended the hearing by remote teleconference.
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2. The landlord has applied for rent arrears and has provided rent records which prove the amount owing.
3. I have sighted the landlord’s rent evidence and am satisfied that the tenant is responsible for the rent debt. The tenant does not dispute the rent arrears. The tenant consents to a payment arrangement for the debt.
4. The landlord does not seek reimbursement of the filing fee.
[NAME]
13 March 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 that proved the amount owing for rent arrears.
- The Tribunal was satisfied that the tenant was responsible for the rent debt after reviewing the landlord's evidence.
- The tenant did not dispute the amount of rent arrears claimed by the landlord.
- The tenant agreed to a payment plan for the outstanding debt.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The tenant must pay $4,410 in rent arrears to the landlord.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was over unpaid rent arrears.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided the tenant must pay the rent arrears because the landlord provided proof of the debt and the tenant consented to the payment plan.
Which laws or rules were applied?
The Residential Tenancies Act 1986, section 54 was applied.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The most important argument was the landlord's provision of rent records proving the amount owing.
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 have proof of rent arrears and a structured payment plan agreed upon by both parties.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The rent records provided by the landlord mattered.