Tenant's Application Dismissed for Lack of Valid Contact Number
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal dismissed the tenant's application because they did not provide a valid contact number for the scheduled hearing, leading to their inability to attend the hearing.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant must provide a valid contact number to ensure attendance at a scheduled hearing.
📖 Technical summary
The claimant's application was dismissed due to failure to provide a valid contact number for the hearing.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal dismissed the tenant's application because they failed to provide a valid contact number for the scheduled hearing, resulting in their inability to attend.
📚 Full judgment Official document
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[2025] NZTT 5154323
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT TAURANGA | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA KI TAURANGA MOANA
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Tenant
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Landlord
TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], Mount Maunganui, Mount Maunganui 3116
ORDER
1. The application is dismissed.
Reasons:
1. This matter was set down to be heard by telephone. On 7 April 2025 [NAME] emailed the Tribunal requesting to be called back. However he did not provide a number to call and it was noted that the number provided in his application ‘was not available’.
2. I tried to ring [NAME] for the hearing today using the number provided in his application. It went to a recording which again stated that the number was not available.
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3. I have dismissed [NAME]’s application because he has not provided the Tribunal with a valid number on which to call him and therefore did not attend the hearing.
4. I note that my call to the respondent went to voicemail.
C ter Haar
16 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 tenant requested to be called back for the hearing but did not provide a valid contact number.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- The tenant did not provide a valid contact number for the tribunal to reach him for the scheduled hearing.
- The number provided in the tenant’s application was not available.
- The tenant’s application was dismissed because he did not attend the hearing due to lack of a valid contact number.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The tenant's application was dismissed because they did not provide a valid contact number for the scheduled hearing.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about whether the tenant had provided a valid contact number for the scheduled hearing.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided to dismiss the application because the tenant did not provide a valid contact number, making it impossible to reach them for the hearing.
Which laws or rules were applied?
No specific laws or rules were mentioned in the judgment.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The most important argument was that the tenant did not provide a valid contact number for the scheduled hearing.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was against the person who brought the case.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone in a similar situation should ensure they provide a valid contact number for any scheduled hearings.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The judgment does not specify any particular evidence or documents.