Tenant ordered to pay $867 in rent arrears - Tenancy Tribunal
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ruled that the tenant must pay the landlord $867 for unpaid rent and filing fees. The names and details of the parties were kept secret.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is required to pay rent arrears to the landlord.
📖 Technical summary
The claimant successfully recovered rent arrears and filing fees from the respondent.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay the landlord $867 in rent arrears and filing fees. The names and identifying details of the parties were suppressed.
📚 Full judgment Official document
__________________________________________________________________________________ 5243072 1
[2025] NZTT 5243072
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT [Event location suppressed]
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
CONSENT ORDER
1. An application for suppression has been made in this case, and the Tribunal orders suppression of the parties’ names and identifying details.
2. [The tenant/s] must pay [The landlord/s] $867.00 immediately, being rent arrears to 18 May 2025 of $2,800.00 and reimbursement of the filing fee of $27.00 less the bond of $1,960.00.
3. [COMPANY] is to pay the bond of $1,960.00 ([Bond number suppressed]) to [The landlord/s] immediately.
Reasons:
1. Both parties attended the hearing by telephone.
2. The landlord has applied for rent arrears and the tenant accepted that the amount claimed is owing.
3. The parties agreed on the terms of this order during the hearing. The parties could have been referred to mediation so that their agreement could be recorded in a mediated order. In that event, the order and the parties’ names would not have been published. Referral to mediation would have postponed the resolution of this dispute and would have involved both parties in the cost of further time spent at a mediation conference.
__________________________________________________________________________________ 5243072 2
4. As the parties reached agreement by consent at the hearing and there are no matters of public interest in this order, it is appropriate that the parties’ names be suppressed.
5. Because [The applicant/s] has wholly succeeded with the claim I must reimburse the filing fee.
[NAME] 27 May 2025
__________________________________________________________________________________ 5243072 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 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.
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].
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/
Reasons:
⚖️ What tends to weigh in cases like this
✅ Tends to be accepted
- The tenant accepted that the amount of rent arrears claimed was owing.
- The landlord applied for rent arrears and the amount was agreed upon by both parties.
- The parties agreed on the terms of the order during the hearing.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- The decision does not mention any arguments from the tenant or landlord that were rejected.
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 the landlord $867 for rent arrears and filing fees.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about unpaid rent and the landlord's request for the tenant to pay the outstanding amount.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided in favour of the landlord because the tenant accepted that the rent arrears were 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 tenant accepted that the rent arrears were owing, leading to the agreement between the parties.
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 pay their rent on time to avoid such disputes.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The judgment does not specify the evidence or documents used.