Tenant Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears and Compensation
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ruled that the tenant must pay rent arrears and compensate the landlord for damages incurred during the tenancy. The tenant agreed to these terms, and the Tribunal found them reasonable.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is required to pay rent arrears and compensate the landlord for damages caused during the tenancy.
📖 Technical summary
The Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay rent arrears and compensate the landlord for damages.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay rent arrears and compensate the landlord for damages caused during the tenancy. The tenant consented to the claims, which the Tribunal deemed reasonable.
📚 Full judgment Official document
__________________________________________________________________________________ 5125598 1
[2025] NZTT 5125598, 5178092
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT [Event location suppressed]
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Tenant
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Landlord
TENANCY ADDRESS: [Tenancy address suppressed]
CONSENT ORDER
1. All party identifying details are to be suppressed from the published order.
2. [[NAME]] to pay [The landlord/s] $1,105.25 from the bond, calculated as shown in table below.
3. The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $1,560.00 ([Bond number suppressed]) immediately apportioned as follows:
[The landlord/s]: $1,105.25
[[NAME]]: $454.75
Description Landlord Tenant Rent arrears to 25/12/25 Carpet Cleaning
$27.15 $234.60
Repairs: hole in wall and cleaning curtains $389.25 Cleaning & lawns $454.25 Total award $1,105.25 Bond $1,105.25 $454.75
__________________________________________________________________________________ 5125598 2
Reasons:
1. Both parties attended the hearing.
2. The landlord has applied for rent arrears, compensation, and refund of the bond following the end of the tenancy.
3. The tenant consents to the claims and the Tribunal considers them reasonable in the circumstances.
4. Accordingly, the amounts claimed are ordered by consent.
5. As this order is consented to, it is appropriate that all party identifying details be suppressed from the published order.
[NAME] 21 March 2025
__________________________________________________________________________________ 5125598 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 agreed to the landlord's claims, which the Tribunal found reasonable.
- The landlord was awarded $389.25 for repairs, including a hole in the wall and cleaning curtains.
- The landlord was awarded $454.25 for general cleaning and lawns.
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 rent arrears and compensate the landlord for damages.
What was the dispute about?
The landlord sought rent arrears and compensation for damages caused by the tenant during the tenancy.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided that the tenant must pay the specified amount, as both parties agreed to the claims and the Tribunal considered them reasonable.
Which laws or rules were applied?
The Residential Tenancies Act 1986, section 54 was applied.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The fact that both parties consented to the claims and the Tribunal found them reasonable.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was against the tenant, who brought the case as the applicant.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone in a similar situation should ensure they have a clear agreement with their landlord and be prepared to pay rent arrears and compensate for damages.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The judgment does not specify the exact evidence or documents used.