Tenants Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears After Non-Attendance
📌 In brief
In this case, the Tenancy Tribunal ruled that the tenants must pay $513 for unpaid rent and a filing fee because they did not show up for their scheduled hearing. The landlord's representative, a person, successfully argued on behalf of the landlord.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is required to pay rent arrears and the landlord's filing fees when they fail to attend a hearing.
📖 Technical summary
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered tenants to pay rent arrears and a filing fee.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenants to pay $513 for rent arrears and a filing fee after they failed to attend the hearing. The landlord was represented by Ms Jones.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
__________________________________________________________________________________ [NAME] 1
[2026] [NAME]
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA
APPLICANT: [redacted] [COMPANY]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: Unit/[ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. [RESPONDENT] and [RESPONDENT] must pay [COMPANY] As The Agent For [COMPANY] $513.00 immediately, calculated as shown in table below.
2. The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $3,005.00 (BN-00031722) to [COMPANY] As The Agent For [COMPANY] immediately.
Description Landlord Tenant Rent arrears up to 28 February 2026 $3,005.00 Filing fee reimbursement $28.00 Total award $3,033.00 Bond $2,520.00 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $513.00
Reasons:
1. The tenants failed to make themselves available for today’s hearing. Attempts were made to telephone them, and the calls went unanswered.
2. The applicant was represent by [NAME].
__________________________________________________________________________________ [NAME] 2
3. The tenancy ended on 28 February 2026 and I a advised that the only outstanding issue is the rent arrears.
4. The landlord has applied for rent arrears, the refund of the bond, and reimbursement of the filing fee following the end of the tenancy.
How much is owed for rent?
5. The tenancy ended on 28 February 2026. The landlord provided rent records and water rates invoices which prove the amount owing at the end of the tenancy.
6. The amounts ordered are proved.
7. [COMPANY] As The Agent For [COMPANY] has wholly succeeded with the claim I must reimburse the filing fee.
[NAME]
04 June 2026
__________________________________________________________________________________ [NAME] 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].
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/
__________________________________________________________________________________ [NAME] 4
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:
📊 How courts decide similar cases
Among 12 similar decisions in this collection:
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant's Non-Payment Leads to Tenancy Termination
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Abandons Property; Owes Rent
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenancy Terminated Due to Rent Arrears
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenancy Terminated Due to Rent Arrears
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenants Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears and Filing Fee
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears and Rubbish Removal Costs
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenancy Terminated Due to Rent Arrears
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant’s Tenancy Terminated for Abandonment and Rent Arrears
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant's Tenancy Terminated for Rent Arrears
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Ordered to Vacate Due to Rent Arrears
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 fails to attend a hearing.
- Tenant has unpaid rent arrears.
- Landlord incurs filing fees which the tenant must cover.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The tenants were ordered to pay $513 for rent arrears and a filing fee.
Who was involved?
A landlord represented by Ms Jones, and two tenants.
How did the court decide, and why?
The Tenancy Tribunal decided in favour of the landlord because the tenants failed to attend the hearing.
Which laws or rules were applied?
No specific laws or rules were cited in this decision.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The fact that the tenants did not show up for their scheduled hearing was crucial.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the landlord, as they were represented by Ms Jones.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
If tenants do not attend a Tenancy Tribunal hearing, they may be ordered to pay rent arrears and fees.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The landlord provided rent records and water rates invoices as proof of the amount owing at the end of the tenancy.
Can a decision like this be appealed?
Yes, tenants can apply for a rehearing if they believe there was a substantial wrong or miscarriage of justice. They must file an appeal within 10 working days.
Is it worth getting a lawyer for a case like this?
It is advisable to seek legal advice from a qualified lawyer for the specific circumstances of your case.
