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AllowedTenancy Tribunal·

Tenant's Tenancy Terminated Due to Rent Arrears

Case No. [2026] NZTT 5489529 · Adjudicator S Munro

📌 In brief

In this case, a tenant's tenancy was ended by the Tenancy Tribunal because of significant unpaid rent. The tribunal ruled that the landlord could take back possession of the property and the tenant had to pay overdue rent and other charges.

⚖️ Legal holding

A tenant is entitled to terminate a tenancy if there are at least 21 days of rent arrears.

Topics

tenancy terminationrent arrears

Provisions

📖 Technical summary

The tenancy was terminated due to rent arrears, and possession granted to the landlord.

📜 Headnote Official document

The tenancy was terminated due to rent arrears exceeding 21 days, and possession was granted to the landlord. The tenant was ordered to pay outstanding amounts.

📚 Full judgment Official document

OUTCOME: Allowed

__________________________________________________________________________________ 5489529 1

[2026] NZTT 5489529

TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA

APPLICANT: [redacted]

Landlord

RESPONDENT: [redacted]

Tenant

TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]

ORDER

1. The tenancy of [RESPONDENT] at [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE] is terminated, and possession is granted to [COMPANY] [NAME] [COMPANY], at 5pm on Monday 1st June 2026.

2. [COMPANY] is to pay the bond of $2,300.00 (BN-00124917) to The [COMPANY] [NAME] [RESPONDENT] immediately.

3. [RESPONDENT] must pay The [RESPONDENT] [NAME] [RESPONDENT] $909.92 immediately, calculated as shown in the table below:

Description Landlord Tenant Rent arrears $3,067.86 Filing fee reimbursement $28.00 Water rates $114.06 Total award $3,209.92 Bond $2,300.00 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $909.92

__________________________________________________________________________________ 5489529 2

Reasons:

1. Both parties attended the hearing.

2. The landlord has applied for termination of the tenancy, rent arrears and refund of the bond.

3. Rent was at least 21 days in arrears on the date the application was filed. The tenancy is terminated. See section 55(1)(a) Residential Tenancies Act 1986.

4. The landlord provided rent records which prove the amount owing at the end of the tenancy.

5. I am advised that many attempts had been made to have the tenant pay the outstanding rent and payments were not made. I am also advised that the tenant was advised that the tenancy would come to an end today.

6. Whilst the applicant is entitled to rely on the law to take possession today, she agreed to the termination taking place on Monday 1st June 2025 at 5pm.

[NAME]

29 May 2026

__________________________________________________________________________________ 5489529 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 [NAME] 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 [NAME]/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 [NAME]/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.[NAME] https://www.[NAME] http://www.[NAME]

__________________________________________________________________________________ 5489529 4

A manaomia nisi faamatalaga poo se fesoasoani, e uiga i lau mataupu, asiasi ifo le matou aupega tafailagi: [NAME]/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:

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 is at least 21 days in arrears when application for termination is filed.
  • Tenant complies with payment obligations or faces tenancy termination.
  • Tenant entitled to terminate tenancy due to rent arrears exceeding 21 days.
  • Tenant must comply with payment orders within specified period to avoid immediate possession by landlord.

Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.

❓ Frequently asked questions

What did this decision decide?

The tenancy was terminated due to rent arrears exceeding 21 days.

Who was involved?

A landlord and a tenant were involved in the dispute.

How did the court decide, and why?

The court decided based on evidence of unpaid rent over 21 days and attempts to resolve the issue without success.

Which laws or rules were applied?

Section 54 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 was applied.

What was the argument that mattered most?

The landlord's evidence showing rent arrears over 21 days and attempts to collect payment.

Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?

The decision was in favour of the landlord.

What evidence or documents mattered?

Rent records showing arrears over 21 days were crucial.

Can a decision like this be appealed?

Yes, both parties can appeal within 10 working days of the decision.

Is it worth getting a lawyer for a case like this?

It is advisable to seek legal advice from a qualified lawyer.

Official source: Tenancy Tribunal headnote and full judgment reproduced from the court's public records. View on the official source ↗Summary, holding, technical summary and questions: produced by Artificial Intelligence based on the official headnote and judgment. These are VadeLab’s own material and are not the work of the Court.This decision was issued by the Tenancy Tribunal and is reproduced from its published records. VadeLab is not affiliated with, and this page is not endorsed by, that court or tribunal.