Tenant Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears and Filing Fees
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ruled that the tenant must pay $977 to the landlord, including $950 in unpaid rent and a $27 filing fee, based on the landlord's records.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant must pay rent arrears and filing fees when proven by the landlord's records.
📖 Technical summary
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay rent arrears and a filing fee to the landlord.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay $977 to the landlord, including $950 in rent arrears and a $27 filing fee, based on the landlord's records.
📚 Full judgment Official document
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[2025] NZTT 5149573
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. [NAME] must pay [COMPANY] $977.00 immediately, being rent arrears to 5 February 2025.
Description Landlord Tenant Rent arrears to 5 February 2025 $950.00 Filing fee reimbursement $27.00 Total award $977.00 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $977.00
Reasons:
1. The landlord attended the hearing by telephone. The tenant did not attend the hearing. An attempt was made to join the tenant to the hearing by telephone, but the call went to voicemail. I am satisfied that the tenant had notice of the hearing.
2. The landlord has applied for rent arrears and has provided rent records which prove the amount owing.
3. [COMPANY] has wholly succeeded with the claim I must reimburse the filing fee.
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N Walker
14 April 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 landlord provided rent records proving the amount of rent arrears.
- The landlord successfully claimed reimbursement for the filing fee.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- The tenant did not attend the hearing, so their arguments were not presented.
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 $977 to the landlord, including $950 in rent arrears and a $27 filing fee.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about unpaid rent and the landlord's request for a filing fee reimbursement.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided in favour of the landlord because the tenant's failure to attend the hearing and the landlord's proven records supported the claim.
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 the landlord's proof of rent arrears through records.
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 they have proper documentation to prove their claims or attend hearings.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The landlord's rent records were the key evidence in this case.