Tenant Ordered to Pay Cleaning Costs from Bond
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay $345 for cleaning costs from the bond because the premises were not left clean and tidy at the end of the tenancy. The landlord provided evidence including photographs, a cleaner's report, and an invoice to support the claim.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant must leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy at the end of the tenancy.
📖 What the law says
This section states that a tenant must keep the premises reasonably clean and tidy during the tenancy. It also requires that when the tenancy ends, the tenant must leave the premises in a reasonably clean and tidy condition and remove all rubbish.
Plain-English explanation — does not replace advice from a lawyer.
📖 Technical summary
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay cleaning costs from the bond due to the premises not being left clean and tidy.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay $345 for cleaning costs from the bond due to the premises not being left clean and tidy at the end of the tenancy. The landlord provided evidence including photographs, a cleaner's report, and an invoice to support the claim.
📚 Full judgment Official document
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[2026] NZTT 5489270, 5477815
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. [NAME] and [NAME] to pay [COMPANY] As The Agent For [NAME] $345.00 from the bond, for cleaning at the end of the tenancy.
2. The Bond Centre is to pay the balance of the bond of $345.00 (6258525-004) to [COMPANY] As The Agent For [NAME] immediately.
Reasons:
1. Both parties attended the hearing.
2. The landlord has applied for cleaning costs following the end of the tenancy.
Did the tenant comply with their obligations at the end of the tenancy?
3. At the end of the tenancy the tenant must leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy, remove all rubbish, return all keys and security devices, and leave all chattels provided for their benefit. See section 40(1)(e)(ii)-(v) Residential
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4. The tenant did not leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy. The garage laundry area had not been cleaned; there was evidence of mould and mildew on surfaces and blinds. The inside of the windows needed to be cleaned.
5. The tenants accepted that some work was required but disputed the extent of the work and the time taken. The landlord provided photographs, a report from the cleaner and a detailed invoice to support its claims. The amounts ordered is proved.
[NAME]
15 June 2026
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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, or the failure to make an order, where the amount in dispute on appeal is
less than $1000 • a final order to undertake work, or the failure to make an order, where the value of the
work in dispute on appeal is 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 did not leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy at the end of the tenancy.
- The garage laundry area had not been cleaned, showing mould and mildew.
- The inside of the windows needed to be cleaned.
- The landlord provided photographs, a cleaner's report, and a detailed invoice to support their claim for cleaning costs.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- The tenants' dispute regarding the extent of the cleaning work and the time taken was not accepted.
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 $345 for cleaning costs from the bond because the premises were not left clean and tidy at the end of the tenancy.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about whether the tenant complied with their obligation to leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy at the end of the tenancy.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided that the tenant must pay cleaning costs from the bond because the premises were not left clean and tidy. The landlord provided evidence including photographs, a cleaner's report, and an invoice to support the claim.
Which laws or rules were applied?
The Residential Tenancies Act 1986, section 40(1)(e)(ii)-(v) was applied.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The argument that mattered most was the evidence provided by the landlord showing that the premises were not left clean and tidy at the end of the tenancy.
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 that the premises are left clean and tidy at the end of the tenancy to avoid having to pay cleaning costs from the bond.
What evidence or documents mattered?
Photographs, a cleaner's report, and an invoice mattered in this case.