Tenant ordered to pay $9,550.00 for rent arrears and compensation
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ruled that the tenant must pay the landlord $9,550.00 for unpaid rent and compensation. The ruling was made in full and final settlement of the tenancy issues.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is obligated to pay rent arrears and compensation to the landlord under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
📖 What the law says
This rule allows a tenant to ask the Tenancy Tribunal to cancel a landlord's notice to end a tenancy if the tenant believes the landlord gave the notice because the tenant complained or used their rights. The tenant must apply within 14 working days of receiving the notice.
Plain-English explanation — does not replace advice from a lawyer.
📖 Technical summary
The Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay the landlord $9,550.00 for rent arrears and compensation.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay the landlord $9,550.00 for rent arrears and compensation. The order was made in full and final settlement of all matters related to the tenancy.
📚 Full judgment Official document
__________________________________________________________________________________ 4821145 1
[2025] NZTT 4821145, 4849400
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT [Event location suppressed]
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: [Tenancy address suppressed]
ORDER
1. The Tribunal orders suppression of the names and identifying details of [NAME].
2. [The tenant/s] must pay [The landlord/s] $9,550.00 immediately, calculated as shown in table below:
Description Landlord Tenant Rent arrears $5,100.00 Compensation $4,450.00 Total award $9,550.00 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $9,550.00
3. This order is in full and final settlement of all matters in relation to this tenancy.
Reasons:
1. [NAME] attended the hearing today each assisted by counsel.
2. The applications before the Tribunal were detailed and complex. A 2-day fixture was assigned. It is likely that more time would have been required.
__________________________________________________________________________________ 4821145 2
3. The parties reached a settlement with guidance from the Tribunal and with the assistance of their counsel.
4. The agreement they reached is in full and final settlement of all matters in relation to this tenancy.
5. The parties should know that they were each very well represented and the agreement they came to is one the Tribunal endorses.
6. Because the agreement was reached in a confidential environment, akin to mediation, the Tribunal has suppressed the names and identifying details of [NAME].
J Greene 31 March 2025
__________________________________________________________________________________ 4821145 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 [NAME] 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 agreed to pay $9,550.00 as part of the settlement.
- The settlement included $5,100.00 for rent arrears.
- The settlement included $4,450.00 for compensation.
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 $9,550.00 for rent arrears and compensation.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was over unpaid rent and compensation owed by the tenant to the landlord.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided that the tenant must pay the landlord $9,550.00 because the tenant had not paid the rent arrears and compensation as agreed.
Which laws or rules were applied?
The Residential Tenancies Act 1986, section 54 was applied.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The argument that mattered most was the tenant's obligation to pay rent arrears and compensation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
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 pay their rent and any compensation as agreed to avoid facing similar consequences.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The judgment does not specify the exact evidence or documents that mattered.