Tenant Successfully Claims Bond Refund from Landlord
📌 In brief
In this case, the Tenancy Tribunal ruled that the landlord must return the tenant’s bond and cover the filing fee. This decision was made because the property manager agreed to these terms.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is entitled to have their bond refunded if the property manager consents to it.
📖 Technical summary
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the landlord to refund the bond and pay the filing fee.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the landlord to refund a tenant's bond and pay the filing fee after the property manager consented.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
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[2026] NZTT 5473070
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Tenant
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Landlord
TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. The [COMPANY] is to pay the bond of $2,000.00 (BN-00092631) to [APPELLANT] and [APPELLANT] immediately.
2. [APPELLANT] As Agents For [APPELLANT] is to pay the sum of $28.00 to [APPELLANT] for the filing fee immediately.
Reasons:
1. Both parties attended the hearing.
2. The property manager accepted the application and consented to the full amount of the bond to be refunded to the tenant together with the payment of the filing fee.
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S Munro
05 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 [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]
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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:
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears and Repair Costs
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenancy Terminated Due to Rent Arrears
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Ordered to Repay Rent Arrears to Avoid Eviction
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Ordered to Pay Landlord $839.79 for Rent Arrears and Costs
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Ordered to Pay $6,512.25 for Repairs and Cleaning Costs
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenancy Tribunal Allows Landlord to Recover Rent and End Tenancy
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Must Pay Rent Arrears or Face Immediate Termination
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenants Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears and Return Bond
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant's Abandonment and Rent Arrears Lead to Termination
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 and return the bond if there are no disputes over damages or other issues.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The tribunal ordered the landlord to refund the tenant's bond and pay the filing fee.
Who was involved?
A tenant and a landlord, with their property manager agreeing to the terms.
How did the court decide, and why?
The decision was based on the property manager’s consent to refund the full amount of the bond and pay the filing fee.
Which laws or rules were applied?
No specific laws were cited in this case.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The property manager's agreement to refund the bond and cover the filing fee.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
It was in favour of the tenant.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
If a property manager agrees, a tenant can claim their bond back and have the filing fee covered.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The agreement between the parties was key.
Can a decision like this be appealed?
Yes, but only if there is substantial wrong or miscarriage of justice.
Is it worth getting a lawyer for a case like this?
It's advisable to seek legal advice from a qualified professional.
