Tenant Ordered to Pay Debt to Landlord
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ruled that the tenant must pay a debt to the landlord. The tenant agreed to pay $50 per week until the debt is fully repaid. If the tenant misses a payment, the remaining debt becomes immediately due and can be enforced through the District Court.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant must pay a debt to the landlord if the tenant agrees to the terms of the order.
📖 Technical summary
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay a debt to the landlord.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay a debt to the landlord, including specific weekly payments and penalties for non-compliance. The order was made by mutual agreement between the parties.
📚 Full judgment Official document
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[2025] NZTT 5131892
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA
APPLICANT: [redacted] Naidoo
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: Unit/Flat [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. The tenant must pay the debt below at the rate of $50.00 per week.
2. The first payment must be made on Wednesday 26 March 2025 and payments must continue every Wednesday until the debt is paid in full.
3. If the tenant fails to make any payment within 2 working days of the due date, the balance of the debt owing will be payable immediately and can be enforced through the District Court.
Description Landlord Tenant Repairs: Painting $1,845.75 Pest control $262.14 Cleaning $785.00 Carpet Cleaning $425.50 Total award $3,318.39 Bond $2,740.00 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $578.39
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Reasons:
1. Both parties attended the hearing by video.
2. This order is made by the consent of the parties.
N Walker
19 March 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 agreed to pay the debt as ordered.
- The total amount the tenant owes is calculated correctly based on the services provided by the landlord.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- The tenant did not provide any counterarguments or defenses regarding the debt.
- There were no arguments presented by the tenant that were rejected by the tribunal.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The decision ordered the tenant to pay a debt to the landlord in weekly installments of $50.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about the tenant's obligation to pay for repairs and cleaning services provided by the landlord.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided by mutual agreement between the parties, ordering the tenant to pay the debt as specified.
Which laws or rules were applied?
No specific laws or rules were cited in the judgment.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The most important argument was the mutual agreement between the landlord and tenant to settle the debt.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was against the tenant, who brought the case to settle the debt.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone in a similar situation should consider agreeing to a payment plan if they owe a debt to their landlord.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The judgment does not specify any particular evidence or documents used in the decision.