Tenant Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears Before Vacating Property
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ruled that a tenant must pay $7,071.43 in rent arrears before leaving their rental property at the address, Solway, Masterton 5810. The decision was based on the tenant's failure to make timely payments and their absence from the hearing.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is responsible for paying all outstanding rent before vacating the property.
📖 Technical summary
The tenant failed to pay rent and vacate on time, leaving arrears.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered a tenant to pay $7,071.43 in rent arrears before vacating the property at 127 High Street, Solway, Masterton 5810. The claimant proved that the respondent failed to make timely payments and was unavailable for the hearing.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
__________________________________________________________________________________ 5492076 1
[2026] NZTT 5492076
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
Description Landlord Tenant Rent arrears $7,071.43 Total award $7,071.43 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $7,071.43
Reasons:
1. The tenant failed to make himself available for the hearing.
2. The tenant paid little rent for the entire tenancy and when he vacated on the 20 May he owed $7071.43.
3. Whist he paid a deposit for the total bond, the balance of the bond was not paid, and the deposit went towards the rent arrears.
4. I am satisfied on the evidence that the amount of arrears is proven.
5. [APPELLANT] has wholly succeeded with the claim I must reimburse the filing fee.
__________________________________________________________________________________ 5492076 2
[NAME]
04 June 2026
__________________________________________________________________________________ 5492076 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, 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 Tenant Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears and Damages
- Tenancy Tribunal Landlord Granted Possession After Tenant's Abandonment
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant loses case over unpaid rent: Tenancy terminated with debt order
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenancy Tribunal Orders Tenant to Pay Arrears and Rates
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenancy Terminated Due to Tenant’s Absence at Hearing
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Ordered to Pay Damages for End-of-Tenancy Breach
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenants Ordered to Pay Rent and Water Arrears or Face Eviction
- Tenancy Tribunal Tribunal Orders Tenant to Clean Property or Face Penalties
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenancy Terminated Due to Abandonment and Rent Arrears
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
- A tenant must pay outstanding rent before vacating the property.|A tenant is responsible for paying rent arrears and compensating a landlord for damages incurred during tenancy.|A tenant's failure to attend a hearing can result in an order terminating their tenancy and awarding rent arrears to the landlord.|A tenant who abandons a rental property without reasonable excuse is liable for rent arrears and immediate eviction under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
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 $7,071.43 in rent arrears before vacating the property.
Who was involved?
A landlord and a tenant were involved in the dispute over unpaid rent.
How did the court decide, and why?
The tribunal decided based on evidence that the tenant failed to pay rent and was unavailable for the hearing.
Which laws or rules were applied?
No specific laws were cited in this decision.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The landlord's proof of unpaid rent and the tenant's absence from the hearing were crucial.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the landlord, as the tenant must pay the arrears.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
A tenant should ensure they make timely rent payments and attend hearings to avoid such outcomes.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The landlord provided proof of unpaid rent and the tenant's absence from the hearing.
Can a decision like this be appealed?
Yes, either party can appeal within 10 working days using an official form.
Is it worth getting a lawyer for a case like this?
It is advisable to seek legal advice for specific guidance on your situation.