Tenant ordered to pay $4,500 in rent arrears and $1,500 bond difference
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ruled that the tenant must pay the landlord $4,500 in rent arrears and $1,500 in bond difference. The decision was based on the tenant's failure to pay rent as required by their agreement.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant must pay rent arrears as required by the tenancy agreement and the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
📖 Technical summary
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay rent arrears and bond difference to the landlord.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay $4,500 in rent arrears and $1,500 in bond difference to the landlord. The decision was based on the tenant's failure to pay rent as required by the tenancy agreement and the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
📚 Full judgment Official document
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[2026] NZTT 5502969
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: Unit/Flat [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. [NAME_2] must pay [NAME_1] $3,028.00 immediately, calculated as shown in the table below.
Description Landlord Tenant Rent arrears $4,500.00 Filing fee reimbursement $28.00 Total award $4,528.00 Bond $1,500.00 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $3,028.00
2. The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $1,500.00 (BN-40094499) to [NAME_1] immediately.
Reasons:
1. The hearing was conducted by teleconference. The landlord attended. The tenant did not attend. I am satisfied that adequate service of the hearing notice has been completed and proceeded with the hearing in the tenant’s absence.
2. This matter relates to a tenancy that commenced on 2 April 2026. The weekly rent was $750.00 and the bond paid was $1,500.00.
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3. The landlord originally applied for termination of the tenancy on the grounds of rent arrears and also sought recovery of unpaid utility charges.
4. At the hearing, the landlord advised that the tenant had vacated the premises on 1 June 2026. As the tenancy has ended, the landlord no longer seeks termination.
5. The landlord also advised that the claim for unpaid utility charges was withdrawn and is no longer pursued.
6. The only remaining issue for determination is the landlord’s claim for rent arrears outstanding at the end of the tenancy.
Rent Arrears
7. Section 40(1)(a) of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 requires a tenant to pay rent when it falls due.
8. The landlord produced a rent summary recording the rent payable, payments received, and the resulting balance outstanding. I accept this evidence. It establishes that at the end of the tenancy the tenant was over six weeks in arrears.
9. At a weekly rent of $750.00, the rent arrears total $4,500.00 (being six weeks).
10. The landlord advised that an additional four days’ rent was also owing but voluntarily waived that part of the claim. Accordingly, I consider only the sum of $4,500.00 sought by the landlord.
11. I am satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the tenant failed to pay rent as required by the tenancy agreement and section 40(1)(a) of the Act. The landlord is therefore entitled to recover rent arrears of $4,500.00.
12. As the landlord has substantially succeeded, it is appropriate that the tenant reimburse the landlord for the Tribunal filing fee pursuant to section 102 of the Act.
J Setefano
11 June 2026
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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 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:
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The tenant must pay the landlord $4,500 in rent arrears and $1,500 in bond difference.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about unpaid rent arrears and the return of the bond to the landlord.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided that the tenant must pay the rent arrears and bond difference because they failed to pay rent as required by the tenancy agreement.
Which laws or rules were applied?
The Residential Tenancies Act 1986, sections 40(1)(a) and 102 were applied.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The argument that mattered most was that the tenant failed to pay rent as required by the tenancy agreement.
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 pay their rent on time to avoid facing similar consequences.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The rent summary provided by the landlord was the key evidence used in the decision.