Tenant ordered to pay rent arrears and other charges
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay the landlord $2,757.75, including rent arrears, water rates, cleaning fees, and filing fee reimbursement. The tenant left the premises unreasonably dirty and untidy, failing to meet their obligations at the end of the tenancy.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant must pay rent arrears and other charges specified in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
📖 What the law says
This section states that a tenant must pay rent on time as agreed in their tenancy agreement. It also requires tenants to keep the rented property reasonably clean and tidy during the tenancy and to leave it in that condition, removing all rubbish, when they move out.
Plain-English explanation — does not replace advice from a lawyer.
📖 Technical summary
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay rent arrears and other charges.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay the landlord $2,757.75, including rent arrears, water rates, cleaning fees, and filing fee reimbursement. The tenant failed to comply with their obligations at the end of the tenancy, leaving the premises unreasonably dirty and untidy.
📚 Full judgment Official document
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[2025] NZTT 5161231
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], Te Kauwhata, Te Kauwhata 3710
ORDER
1. [NAME] must pay [COMPANY] As [COMPANY] $2,757.75 immediately, being rent arrears to 10 June 2025.
Description Landlord Tenant Rent arrears to 28 November 2024 $2,057.14 Water rates $407.57 Cleaning: and rubbish removal $266.04 Filing fee reimbursement $27.00 Total award $2,757.75 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $2,757.75
Reasons:
1. The Landlord attended the hearing by telephone. The Tenant did not answer the telephone calls made by the Tribunal on the phone number provided.
2. The landlord has applied for rent arrears, water rates arrears, compensation and reimbursement of the filing fee following the end of the tenancy.
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How much is owed for rent and water rates?
3. The tenancy ended on 28 November 2024.The landlord provided rent and water rates records which prove the amount owing at the end of the tenancy.
Did the tenant comply with their obligations at the end of the tenancy?
4. 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 Tenancies Act 1986. The tenant is required to replace worn out smoke alarm batteries during the tenancy. See section 40(1)(ca) Residential Tenancies Act 1986. The tenant must also replace standard light bulbs.
5. The tenant did not leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy, and did not remove all rubbish. Photographs from final inspection reports and invoices to substantiate the charges were provided.
6. The amounts ordered are proved.
7. As the Landlord has been wholly successful, the Tenant shall pay the filing fee.
A Aiolupotea
10 June 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 records that proved the amount of rent and water rates owed when the tenancy ended.
- The tenant did not leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy or remove all rubbish.
- The landlord was successful in their application, so the tenant must pay the filing fee.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay the landlord $2,757.75, including rent arrears, water rates, cleaning fees, and filing fee reimbursement.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about the tenant's failure to pay rent arrears, water rates, and other charges, and to leave the premises clean and tidy at the end of the tenancy.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided that the tenant must pay the landlord the specified amount because the tenant did not comply with their obligations at the end of the tenancy.
Which laws or rules were applied?
The Residential Tenancies Act 1986, sections 40(1)(e)(ii)-(v) and 40(1)(ca) were applied.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The argument that mattered most was that the tenant did not leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy, and did not remove all rubbish.
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 leave the premises clean and tidy and pay all outstanding charges at the end of the tenancy.
What evidence or documents mattered?
Photographs from final inspection reports and invoices substantiating the charges were provided.