Tenant's Application Dismissed for Not Attending Hearing
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal at Waitakere dismissed the tenant's application because the tenant failed to attend the hearing or request an adjournment. Both parties did not attend the hearing, and the registry reported that the claims had been settled.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant's application is dismissed if they fail to attend the hearing or request an adjournment.
📖 Technical summary
The claimant's application was dismissed due to failure to attend the hearing or request an adjournment.
📜 Headnote Official document
In this case, the Tenancy Tribunal at Waitakere dismissed the tenant's application because the tenant did not attend the hearing or request an adjournment. The other party also did not attend the hearing or request an adjournment. The registry informed that the parties had settled their claims.
📚 Full judgment Official document
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[2025] NZTT 5206318
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT WAITAKERE | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA KI WAITĀKERE
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Tenant
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Landlord
TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. The tenant’s application is dismissed.
Reasons:
2. The applicant did not attend the hearing or request an adjournment.
3. The other party did not attend the hearing or request an adjournment.
4. The registry has advised that the parties attended the registry and advised that the claims have been settled.
[NAME]
23 April 2025
__________________________________________________________________________________ 5206318 2
__________________________________________________________________________________ 5206318 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 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 did not attend the hearing or request an adjournment.
- The landlord did not attend the hearing or request an adjournment.
- The registry reported that both parties had attended and stated that their claims were settled.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- The tenant's application was dismissed due to non-attendance and lack of adjournment request.
- The landlord's application was dismissed due to non-attendance and lack of adjournment request.
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 the tenant did not attend the hearing or request an adjournment.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about the tenant's application which was dismissed due to the tenant's absence from the hearing.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided to dismiss the application because the tenant did not attend the hearing or request an adjournment.
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 attend the hearing or request an adjournment.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was against the person who brought the case, the tenant.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone in a similar situation should ensure they attend the hearing or request an adjournment to avoid having their application dismissed.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The judgment does not specify any particular evidence or documents that were considered.
