Tenants Ordered to Pay $2,186.94 for Rent Arrears and Costs
📌 In brief
In this case, the Tenancy Tribunal ordered tenants to pay a total of $2,186.94 for rent arrears, water rates, rubbish removal fees, and key replacement costs after they did not comply with their tenancy obligations when leaving the property.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is required to leave the premises clean, remove all rubbish, return keys and security devices upon termination of tenancy.
📖 What the law says
This section outlines a tenant's responsibilities, including paying rent on time, keeping the premises reasonably clean and tidy, and notifying the landlord of any damage or needed repairs. When a tenancy ends, the tenant must move out, remove all their belongings, leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy, and remove all rubbish.
Plain-English explanation — does not replace advice from a lawyer.
📖 Technical summary
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered tenants to pay rent arrears, water rates, and costs for rubbish removal and key replacement.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenants to pay the landlord $2,186.94 for rent arrears, water rates, rubbish removal fees, and key replacement costs after they failed to comply with their tenancy obligations upon termination of the lease.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
__________________________________________________________________________________ 5446012 1
[2026] NZTT 5446012
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENTS: [redacted]
Tenants
TENANCY ADDRESS: Unit/[ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. [NAME] and [NAME] must pay [COMPANY] As Agent For [NAME] [COUNSEL] [NAME]/ [COMPANY] $2,186.94 immediately, calculated as shown in table below.
Description Landlord Tenant Rent arrears (14 Jan 26 – 30 Jan 26) $992.86 Water rates $149.08 Lock/key replacement $795.00 Rubbish removal $250.00 Total award $2,186.94 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $2,186.94
__________________________________________________________________________________ 5446012 2
Reasons:
1. Both parties attended the hearing.
2. The landlord has applied for rent arrears and compensation following the end of the tenancy.
How much is owed for rent and water rates?
3. The tenancy ended on 30 January 2026. The landlord provided rent records and water rates invoices which prove the amounts owing at the end of the tenancy are as ordered. The tenants accepted both as due.
Did the tenants comply with their obligations at the end of the tenancy?
4. At the end of the tenancy the tenants must leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy, remove all rubbish, return all keys and security devices, and leave all chattels provided for their benefit. See section 40(1)(e)(ii)-(v) Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
5. The tenants left some rubbish that was removed at an invoiced cost of $250.00. Again, the tenants accepted the need for the removal and the costs involved.
6. The tenants did not return the keys or remotes due to a misunderstanding to exit between her and her mother. The landlord provided an invoice for the locksmith attending to resecure the premises. This totalled $795.00 and the tenants accepted the need and cost.
7. The amounts ordered are proved.
Filing fee
8. [COMPANY] As Agent For [NAME] [COUNSEL] [NAME]/ N [COMPANY] has substantially succeeded with the claim I have reimbursed the filing fee.
[NAME]
29 May 2026
__________________________________________________________________________________ 5446012 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].
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].
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
Reasons:
📊 How courts decide similar cases
Among 12 similar decisions in this collection:
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenancy Tribunal Ends Lease for Unpaid Rent
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenants Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears and Fees
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenancy Tribunal Orders Tenant to Pay Arrears and Rates
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears and Filing Fees in Tenancy Dispute
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant’s Tenancy Terminated Due to Rent Arrears
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenancy Terminated Due to Tenant’s Absence at Hearing
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears and Damages
- Tenancy Tribunal Tribunal Orders Tenant to Clean Property or Face Penalties
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 complies with payment obligations.
- Tenant attends scheduled hearings to prove their claim.
- Tenant leaves the premises clean and removes all rubbish upon termination of tenancy.
- Tenant returns keys and security devices as required.
- Tenant is not liable for compensation if fixed-term agreement does not include longer term explicitly agreed in writing.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered tenants to pay $2,186.94 for rent arrears, water rates, rubbish removal fees, and key replacement costs.
Who was involved?
A landlord and two tenants were involved in the dispute.
How did the court decide, and why?
The Tribunal decided that the tenants must pay as they failed to comply with their obligations at the end of the tenancy under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
Which laws or rules were applied?
Section 40(1)(e) of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 was applied.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The tenants did not leave the property clean, remove rubbish, and return keys as required by law.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
It was in favour of the landlord.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Tenants must ensure they comply with their obligations at the end of a tenancy to avoid financial penalties.
What evidence or documents mattered?
Rent records, water rates invoices, and invoices for rubbish removal and key replacement were provided as evidence.
Can a decision like this be appealed?
Yes, both parties can appeal the decision within 10 working days to the District Court.
Is it worth getting a lawyer for a case like this?
It is advisable to seek legal advice from a qualified lawyer for specific guidance on your situation.