Tenant ordered to pay $623.71 for rent arrears and damages
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ruled that the tenant must pay $623.71 to the landlord, which includes rent arrears and compensation for damages that occurred during the tenancy. The landlord presented evidence showing the amount owed at the end of the tenancy and proof of the tenant's acceptance of responsibility for the damages.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is required to pay rent arrears and compensation for damages incurred during the tenancy.
📖 Technical summary
The Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay rent arrears and compensation for damages.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay $623.71 to the landlord, including rent arrears and compensation for damages incurred during the tenancy. The landlord provided proof of the amount owing at the end of the tenancy and evidence of accepted liability for damages.
📚 Full judgment Official document
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[2025] NZTT 5186131
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: Unit/[ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. [NAME] must pay [COMPANY] $623.71 immediately, calculated as shown in table below.
Description Landlord Rent arrears $213.71 Repairs $410.00 Total award $623.71 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $623.71
Reasons:
1. The landlord attended the hearing by telephone.
2. The tenant was telephoned on both numbers provided but did not answer.
3. The landlord has applied for rent arrears and compensation following the end of the tenancy.
4. The tenancy ended on 31 January 2025. The landlord provided rent records which prove the amount owing at the end of the tenancy.
5. The landlord gave evidence that the tenant had accepted liability for damages which occurred during the tenancy and was paying them off by instalments. The
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landlord provided a statement of the amounts charged and of the instalments received.
6. On the evidence before it, the Tribunal is satisfied that the tenant still owes the landlord $410.00 to the landlord for damages which occurred during the tenancy.
G Baker
06 June 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 proved the amount of rent owed at the end of the tenancy by providing rent records.
- The tribunal was satisfied that the tenant still owed money for damages that occurred during the tenancy.
- The landlord provided a statement showing the amounts charged and the instalments received for damages.
- The tenant had previously accepted responsibility for damages and was paying them off in instalments.
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 $623.71 to the landlord, including rent arrears and compensation for damages.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about the tenant owing rent arrears and compensation for damages that occurred during the tenancy.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided that the tenant must pay the landlord $623.71 because the landlord provided proof of the amount owing at the end of the tenancy and evidence of the tenant's acceptance of responsibility for the damages.
Which laws or rules were applied?
No specific laws or rules were mentioned in the judgment.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The most important argument was the landlord providing proof of the amount owing at the end of the tenancy and evidence of the tenant's acceptance of responsibility for the damages.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was against the tenant 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 any damages and the amount owing at the end of the tenancy to present to the Tenancy Tribunal.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The judgment mentions rent records proving the amount owing at the end of the tenancy and a statement of the amounts charged and received for damages.