Tenant Ordered to Pay $513 for Rent Arrears
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ruled that the tenant must pay $513 for unpaid rent arrears and the bond was released to the landlord. The tenant did not attend the hearing, leading to the decision in favour of the landlord.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is required to pay rent arrears to the landlord upon termination of the tenancy.
📖 Technical summary
The Tenancy Tribunal awarded the landlord $513 for unpaid rent and ordered the bond to be released to the landlord.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal awarded the landlord $513 for unpaid rent arrears and ordered the bond to be released to the landlord. The tenant failed to attend the hearing and provide evidence.
📚 Full judgment Official document
__________________________________________________________________________________ 5420603 1
[2026] NZTT 5420603
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA
APPLICANT: [redacted] [COMPANY_1]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: Unit/[ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. [NAME_2] and [NAME_3] must pay [COMPANY_1] As The Agent For [COMPANY_1] $513.00 immediately, calculated as shown in table below.
2. The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $3,005.00 (BN-00031722) to [COMPANY_1] As The Agent For [COMPANY_1] immediately.
Description Landlord Tenant Rent arrears up to 28 February 2026 $3,005.00 Filing fee reimbursement $28.00 Total award $3,033.00 Bond $2,520.00 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $513.00
Reasons:
1. The tenants failed to make themselves available for today’s hearing. Attempts were made to telephone them, and the calls went unanswered.
2. The applicant was represent by [NAME_4].
__________________________________________________________________________________ 5420603 2
3. The tenancy ended on 28 February 2026 and I a advised that the only outstanding issue is the rent arrears.
4. The landlord has applied for rent arrears, the refund of the bond, and reimbursement of the filing fee following the end of the tenancy.
How much is owed for rent?
5. The tenancy ended on 28 February 2026. The landlord provided rent records and water rates invoices which prove the amount owing at the end of the tenancy.
6. The amounts ordered are proved.
7. Because [COMPANY_1] As The Agent For [COMPANY_1] has wholly succeeded with the claim I must reimburse the filing fee.
S Munro
04 June 2026
__________________________________________________________________________________ 5420603 3
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/
__________________________________________________________________________________ 5420603 4
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 Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay $513 for rent arrears and the bond to be released to the landlord.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about unpaid rent arrears at the end of the tenancy.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided in favour of the landlord because the tenant failed to attend the hearing and provide evidence.
Which laws or rules were applied?
No specific laws or rules were mentioned in the judgment.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The tenant's failure to attend the hearing and provide evidence was the most critical factor.
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 all hearings and provide necessary evidence to present their case.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The judgment does not specify the exact evidence or documents used in the decision.