Tenant ordered to pay $5,366.03 in rent arrears and water rates
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay $5,366.03 to the landlord, including rent arrears and water rates. The landlord presented records proving the amount owed, and the tenant did not attend the hearing.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant must pay rent arrears and water rates to the landlord as ordered by the Tenancy Tribunal.
📖 Technical summary
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay rent arrears and water rates to the landlord.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay $5,366.03 to the landlord, including rent arrears and water rates, as detailed in the judgment. The landlord proved the amount owing through records provided during the hearing.
📚 Full judgment Official document
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[2024] NZTT 5073708
TENANCY TRIBUNAL - Palmerston North | Te Papaioea
APPLICANT: [redacted] Agent For [COMPANY]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. [NAME] and [NAME] must pay [COMPANY] As Agent For [COMPANY] $5,366.03 immediately, as detailed in the table below.
Description Landlord Rent and rent arrears to 30 November 2024 $4,821.43 Filing fee reimbursement $27.00 Water rates $517.60 Total award $5,366.03 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $5,366.03
Reasons:
1. The landlord attended the hearing by telephone.
2. The tenant was telephoned on the three telephone numbers provided but did not answer. Two messages were left.
3. The landlord has applied for rent arrears and water rates. The landlord provided rent and water rates records which prove the amount owing to the end of the tenancy this Saturday 30 November 2024.
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4. [COMPANY] As Agent For [COMPANY] has wholly succeeded with the claim I must reimburse the filing fee.
G Baker
27 November 2024
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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 proved the amount of rent arrears and water rates owed using their records.
- The landlord attended the hearing.
- The landlord succeeded entirely with their claim.
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 $5,366.03 to the landlord, including rent arrears and water rates.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about unpaid rent and water rates owed by the tenant to the landlord.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided in favour of the landlord because the tenant did not attend the hearing and the landlord provided proof of the amounts owed.
Which laws or rules were applied?
No specific laws or rules were mentioned in the judgment.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The landlord's presentation of records proving the amounts owed was the key argument.
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 have proof of payments and attend all hearings to present their case.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The landlord's records of rent and water rates were the key evidence in this case.