Tenant ordered to pay $651.78 in rent arrears and filing fee
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay $651.78 to the landlord, which includes rent arrears and a filing fee. The tenant had agreed to use their bond to cover these costs when they left the property early.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is required to pay rent arrears and the filing fee to the landlord.
📖 Technical summary
The Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay rent arrears and a filing fee.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay $651.78 to the landlord, including rent arrears up to 13 February 2025 and a filing fee. The tenant had vacated the property early and agreed to use their bond to cover costs.
📚 Full judgment Official document
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[2025] NZTT 5203551
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT HAMILTON | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA KI KIRIKIRIROA
APPLICANT: [redacted] for [NAME]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: Unit/[ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. [NAME] must pay [COMPANY] T/As [NAME] as Agent for [NAME] $651.78 immediately, being rent arrears to 13 February 2025.
Description Landlord Tenant Rent arrears (to 13 February 2025) $624.78 Filing fee reimbursement $27.00 Total award $651.78 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $651.78
Reasons:
1. The hearing proceeded by way of telephone conference. Ms [NAME], Property Manager, appeared for the landlord. Attempts to contact [NAME] on the telephone number provided were unsuccessful.
2. The tenancy commenced on 27 September 2024 and was for a 12-month fixed term. The fixed term was broken early by mutual agreement and the tenant vacated the property on 13 February 2025.
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3. On 19 March 2025 the landlord filed an application with the Tribunal seeking rent arrears and reimbursement of the filing fee.
4. The landlord stated the tenant agreed to the bond of $1440.00 to be released to cover costs associated with reletting and rent arrears. The bond release form was signed by the tenant on 22 February 2025 and by the landlord on 28 February 2025.
5. The landlord has produced a rent summary. The Tribunal is satisfied that the balance of the rent arrears outstanding is $624.78.
6. [COMPANY] T/As [NAME] as Agent for [NAME] has wholly succeeded with the claim I must reimburse the filing fee.
[NAME]
30 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 provided a rent summary that satisfied the Tribunal about the outstanding rent arrears.
- The landlord fully succeeded with the claim, which meant the tenant had to reimburse the filing fee.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay $651.78 to the landlord, including rent arrears and a filing fee.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about the tenant owing rent arrears and the landlord seeking reimbursement of the filing fee.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided that the tenant must pay the landlord $651.78 because the tenant agreed to use their bond to cover the costs associated with reletting and rent arrears.
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 that the tenant agreed to use their bond to cover the costs associated with reletting and rent arrears.
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 understand the terms of their bond and how it can be used to cover costs if they leave a property early.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The judgment mentions a rent summary and a bond release form signed by both parties.