Tenant Ordered to Pay $889.82 for Rent Arrears and Repairs
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ruled that the tenant must pay $889.82 to the landlord for unpaid rent, repairs to a broken window and door frame, and the landlord's filing fees. The landlord's identity was kept secret.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant must pay rent arrears, compensate for repairs beyond fair wear and tear, and reimburse filing fees.
📖 Technical summary
The Tenancy Tribunal awarded the landlord $889.82 for rent arrears, repairs, and filing fees.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay $889.82 to the landlord for rent arrears, repair of a broken window and door frame, and filing fees. The landlord's name and identifying details were suppressed.
📚 Full judgment Official document
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[2025] NZTT 5082250
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT [Event location suppressed]
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. An application for suppression has been made in this case, and the Tribunal orders suppression of the Landlord’s name and identifying details.
2. [NAME] must pay [The landlord/s] $889.82 calculated as shown in table below:
Description Landlord Tenant Rent arrears as at 27 February 2025 $503.01 Repair of window and door frame $359.81 Filing fee reimbursement $27.00 Total award $889.82 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $889.82
Reasons:
1. This hearing was scheduled to be heard by videoconference. The tenant did not link to the Teams link provided to him and nor did he answer either of the calls I made to his phone. The hearing proceeded in his absence.
2. The landlord has applied for rent arrears, compensation for repairing a broken window and door frame, and reimbursement of the filing fee.
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3. The rent record shows that as at tomorrow’s date, the tenant owes $503.01 in rent arrears. He is to pay these arrears by 4pm tomorrow.
4. I also accept the evidence indicating that during [NAME]’s tenancy a window and door frame was broken. This is beyond fair wear and tear and so he is required to pay the cost of its repair. I accept the invoice showing that the cost of repair is $359.81.
5. The landlord is wholly successful in this claim and so the tenant is also required to reimburse the filing fee to the landlord.
6. Again because the landlord is wholly successful in this claim, I am allowing their application for suppression of their name and identifying details.
7. I note that the end date of [NAME]’s tenancy is 22 May 2025 when the fixed term expires.
C ter Haar 26 February 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 tenant owes $503.01 in rent arrears.
- The tenant is responsible for the cost of repairing a broken window and door frame, which is $359.81.
- The tenant must reimburse the landlord for the filing fee of $27.00.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- The tenant did not attend the hearing via videoconference or answer calls.
- The tenant did not provide any evidence or defense against the claims made by the landlord.
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 $889.82 to the landlord for rent arrears, repairs, and filing fees.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about unpaid rent, damage to a window and door frame, and the landlord's filing fees.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided in favour of the landlord because the tenant owed rent arrears, caused damage beyond fair wear and tear, and the landlord had paid filing fees.
Which laws or rules were applied?
The Residential Tenancies Act 1986, section 54 was applied.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The most important argument was that the tenant was responsible for paying rent arrears and compensating for repairs beyond fair wear and tear.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the landlord.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone in a similar situation should ensure they pay rent on time and avoid causing damage beyond fair wear and tear.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The rent record, evidence of damage, and the filing fee invoice mattered.