Tenants Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears and Repair Costs After Rehearing
📌 In brief
In this case, the Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenants to pay $1,401.51 in rent arrears and water rates after a rehearing where they did not attend. The landlord also claimed compensation for repairs needed at the end of the tenancy.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is responsible for rent arrears, water rates, and necessary repairs during the tenancy period.
📖 Technical summary
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered tenants to pay rent arrears, water rates, and repair costs after a rehearing.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenants to pay $1,401.51 for rent arrears and water rates after a rehearing where they did not attend. The landlord successfully claimed compensation for repairs needed at the end of the tenancy.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
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[2026] NZTT 5422848
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenants
TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. [RESPONDENT] and [NAME] must pay [APPELLANT] [NAME] [COUNSEL] $1,401.51 immediately, calculated below.
Description Landlord Tenant Rent arrears to 10 January 2026 $3,024.29 Water rates $234.22 Repairs $1,035.00 Filing fee reimbursement $28.00 Total award $4,321.51 Minus Bond - $2,920.00 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $1,401.51
2. The [COMPANY] is to pay the bond of $2,920.00 (6538448-001) to [APPELLANT] [NAME] [COUNSEL] immediately.
Reasons:
1. This was a rehearing of the Tribunal’s Order dated 17 March 2026. The landlord attended by videoconference. The tenants didn’t attend and couldn’t be reached by phone.
2. The landlord has applied for rent arrears, compensation, refund of the bond, and reimbursement of the filing fee following the end of the tenancy.
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How much is owed for rent and water rates?
3. The tenancy ended on 10 January 2026 after the tenants gave Notice of Termination. The landlord provided rent records and water rates invoices which prove the amount owing at the end of the tenancy.
Did the tenant comply with their obligations at the end of the tenancy?
4. At the end of the tenancy the tenant 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.1
5. The landlord claims compensation for cleaning and rubbish removal costs. The evidence provided does not prove that the premises weren’t left reasonably clean and tidy. Those claims are declined.
Is the tenant responsible for the damage to the premises?
6. A landlord must prove that damage to the premises occurred during the tenancy and is more than fair wear and tear. If this is established, to avoid liability, the tenant must prove they did not carelessly or intentionally cause or permit the damage. Tenants are liable for the actions of people at the premises with their permission.2
7. The tenants damaged a bedroom door during the tenancy. They replaced it with a new one, but it still needed to be painted and have handles fitted.
8. The landlord has provided evidence proving that at the end of the tenancy the following items needed to be replaced, other than through fair wear and tear:
a. an aluminium door lock;
b. a curtain rail
c. a door stop
d. oven trays
e. wardrobe hanging rail.
9. Repairs were needed o some wall holes and the toilet.
10. The loss caused to the landlord from paying for that work is proved by the invoice provided. The landlord should be compensated for that loss.
1 S.40(1)(e)(ii)-(v) RTA 2 S.40(2)(a), 41 and 49B RTA.
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10. [APPELLANT] has succeeded with the claim I reimburse the filing fee.
B King
02 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 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/
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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:
📊 How courts decide similar cases
Among 12 similar decisions in this collection:
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears and Damages
- Tenancy Tribunal Landlord Wins Unpaid Rent Claim Against Absent Tenant
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant’s Tenancy Terminated Due to Abandonment and Rent Arrears
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Must Tidy Lawns or Pay $1,000 - Tenancy Tribunal
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenants Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears and Fees
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears and Return Bond
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenancy Tribunal Ends Lease for Unpaid Rent
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenants Ordered to Pay $2,186.94 for Rent Arrears and Costs
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenancy Tribunal Dismisses Tenant’s Application Due to Non-Attendance
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenancy Tribunal Rejects Tenant’s Compensation Claim
- Tenancy Tribunal Claim Dismissed: Tenant Failed to Attend Hearing
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenancy Tribunal Dismisses Landlord's Claim Due to Non-Attendance
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
- {"claimant":{"items":["The tenant is responsible for rent arrears during the tenancy period.","The tenant must comply with their obligations to maintain and repair the property as required by law.","The landlord can recover unpaid rent and additional costs if the tenant vacates without settling these obligations.","A tenant's failure to attend a hearing does not necessarily result in dismissal if there is evidence of arrears or other breaches.","Tenants are liable for cleaning costs, repairs, and necessary maintenance at the end of their tenancy."],"count":5},"defendant":{"items":[],"count":0}}
❌ Tends to be rejected
- {"claimant":{"items":["A tenant's application may be dismissed if they fail to attend a scheduled hearing without providing evidence or explanation.","Tenants are not entitled to compensation for non-renewal of fixed-term tenancy unless explicitly agreed in writing."],"count":2},"defendant":{"items":["The court dismisses applications when neither party attends the required hearing as stipulated by law."],"count":1}}
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 $1,401.51 in rent arrears and water rates.
Who was involved?
A landlord and two tenants were involved in the dispute over unpaid rent and damages.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided that the tenants must pay for their outstanding rent and water charges because they failed to attend the rehearing and provide evidence against the claims.
Which laws or rules were applied?
No specific laws were cited in this decision.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The landlord's proof of unpaid rent and damages was critical, as the tenants did not contest these claims.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the landlord.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Tenants should ensure they attend all hearings and provide evidence to support their position if facing rent arrears claims.
What evidence or documents mattered?
Rent records, water rates invoices, and repair costs were key pieces of 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 such cases.