Tenant ordered to pay $433 in rent arrears after non-attendance
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay $433 in rent arrears to the landlord after the tenant failed to attend the hearing. The landlord attended via video link and provided proof of the amount owing.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant must pay rent arrears to the landlord if they fail to attend the hearing.
📖 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 $433 in rent arrears to the landlord after the tenant failed to attend the hearing. The landlord attended via video link and provided proof of the amount owing.
📚 Full judgment Official document
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[2025] NZTT 5147971
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: Room 3, [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. The Tenant shall pay the Landlord $433.00 immediately.
Description Landlord Tenant Rent arrears to 8 March 2025 $433.00 Total award $433.00 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $433.00
Reasons:
1. The Landlord attended the hearing by video. The Tenant did not appear by video or answer the telephone call made by the Tribunal.
2. The tenancy ended on 8 March 2025. The Landlord has claimed rent arrears and provided records to prove the amount owing.
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A Aiolupotea 23 May 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 attended the hearing by video.
- The Landlord provided records proving the amount of rent arrears.
- The tenancy ended on 8 March 2025.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- The Tenant did not appear by video or answer the phone call.
- No new evidence was presented by the Tenant.
- The Tenant did not provide any reason for not attending the hearing.
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 $433 in rent arrears to the landlord.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about unpaid rent arrears claimed by the landlord.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided the tenant must pay the rent arrears because the tenant did not attend the hearing and 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 fact that the tenant did not attend the hearing and the landlord provided proof of the rent arrears mattered most.
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 attend the hearing to present their side of the story.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The landlord's records proving the amount of rent arrears mattered.