Tenant Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears and Return Bond
📌 In brief
In this case, the Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenant to pay rent arrears and return a bond to the landlord because the tenant had left the property without paying outstanding rent or returning the bond. The decision was based on evidence provided by the landlord showing the amount of rent owed.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is required to pay rent arrears and return a bond if they have vacated the property without settling these obligations.
📖 Technical summary
The claimant successfully recovered rent arrears and bond from the respondent.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ruled that the tenant must pay rent arrears of $975.56 and return a bond of $1,400 to the landlord after vacating the property without settling these obligations.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
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[2026] NZTT 5437974
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. [RESPONDENT] must pay [APPELLANT] $975.56 immediately, being rent arrears to 6 November 2025.
2. The [COMPANY] is to pay the bond of $1,400.00 (5450835-007) to [APPELLANT] [COMPANY] immediately.
Description Landlord Tenant Rent arrears $1,952.86 Water rates: By consent $422.70 Total award $2,375.56 Bond $1,400.00 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $975.56
Reasons:
1. Both parties attended the hearing.
2. The Landlord has applied for rent arrears, water rates arrears and refund of the bond. At the hearing, the Tenant agreed to the Landlords claim for water rates arrears.
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3. The tenancy ended on 6 November 2025. The Landlord claimed the rent arrears owing was $1952.86 at the end of the tenancy.
4. The Tenant submitted it was $1100.00. They submitted another Tenant took over her tenancy because she moved out around September or October. She could not recall the exact date. The Tenant submitted they did not have any evidence to confirm her moving out but they recall going into the Landlords office and telling a staff member they were moving out. The staff member advised the Tenant they would send the paperwork.
5. In considering the evidence, the Landlord provided a rent summary sheet to prove the amount owing. The Tenant did not have any evidence that she had left the tenancy earlier than 6 November 2025 or evidence of agreement by the Landlord for her to do so. The Landlord was not aware of receiving any formal documentation that the Tenant had left the tenancy. The Tenant was unsure of what date she left so it is difficult to ascertain how much rent arrears she is owing.
For these reasons, the Landlords claim for rent arrears is approved.
6. As the Tenant has not been substantially successful no name suppression is granted to the Tenant.
A Aiolupotea
06 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:
📊 How courts decide similar cases
Among 12 similar decisions in this collection:
- Tenancy Tribunal Landlord Wins Unpaid Rent Claim Against Absent Tenant
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears and Damages
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant’s Tenancy Terminated Due to Abandonment and Rent Arrears
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Must Tidy Lawns or Pay $1,000 - Tenancy Tribunal
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenants Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears and Repair Costs After Rehearing
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenants Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears and Fees
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears and Damages
- Tenancy Tribunal Tribunal Denies Landlord's Expedited Termination Request Due to Lack of Evi…
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenancy Tribunal Dismisses Landlord's Claim Due to Non-Attendance
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenancy Tribunal Dismisses Tenant’s Application Due to Non-Attendance
- Tenancy Tribunal Claim Dismissed: Tenant Failed to Attend Hearing
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenancy Tribunal Rejects Tenant’s Compensation Claim
A snapshot of this collection — not a prediction of your case's outcome.
⚖️ What tends to weigh in cases like this
✅ Tends to be accepted
- Tenant vacated the property without settling rent arrears and bond.
- Evidence of unpaid rent and filing fees was provided.
- Tenant did not comply with their obligations at the end of tenancy, leading to liability for rent arrears and costs.
- Tenant abandoned the premises leaving rent in arrears.
- Landlord provided robust documentary evidence supporting abandonment process.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- Parties did not attend the scheduled hearing as required by law.
- No evidence of a previous hearing or settlement when tenant failed to attend.
- Fixed-term tenancy agreement did not include an explicitly agreed longer term for compensation.
- Tenant's application dismissed due to non-attendance at scheduled hearing.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The tribunal ordered the tenant to pay $975.56 for rent arrears and return a bond worth $1,400.
Who was involved?
A landlord and a tenant were involved in the dispute over unpaid rent and a bond.
How did the court decide, and why?
The tribunal decided based on evidence showing that the tenant owed rent arrears and had not returned the bond.
Which laws or rules were applied?
No specific laws were cited in this decision.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The landlord's evidence of unpaid rent and lack of formal documentation from the tenant mattered most.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the landlord, as they successfully recovered rent arrears and bond.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Tenants should ensure all financial obligations are settled before vacating a property to avoid legal action.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The landlord provided a rent summary sheet showing the amount owed.
Can a decision like this be appealed?
Yes, either party can appeal within 10 working days if they believe there was an error in the decision.
Is it worth getting a lawyer for a case like this?
It is advisable to seek legal advice from a qualified lawyer for specific guidance on your situation.