Tenants Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears and Return Bond
📌 In brief
In this case, the Tenancy Tribunal ordered tenants to pay their outstanding rent of $3,600 and return a bond of $2,800. Both parties agreed on the amount owed at the end of the tenancy, and the landlord did not request reimbursement for filing fees.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant must pay outstanding rent and return the bond if there are no disputes over damages or other issues.
📖 Technical summary
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered tenants to pay rent arrears and bond amount.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal ordered the tenants to pay $3,600 in rent arrears until February 12, 2026, and return a bond of $2,800. The landlord did not seek reimbursement for filing fees.
📚 Full judgment Official document
OUTCOME: Allowed
__________________________________________________________________________________ 5425438 1
[2026] NZTT 5425438
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA
APPLICANT: [redacted] [NAME]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. [RESPONDENT] and [RESPONDENT] must pay [COMPANY] As Agent For [NAME] $3,600.00 immediately, being rent arrears until 12 February 2026.
2. The [COMPANY] is to pay the bond of $2,800.00 (BN-00028159) to [COMPANY] As Agent For [NAME] immediately.
Reasons:
1. Ms [RESPONDENT] for [NAME] and Ms [RESPONDENT] attended the hearing.
2. The parties have agreed that at the end of the tenancy $6,400.00 was owing for rent arrears. They have made arrangements for payment of the debt.
3. The landlord is not seeking reimbursement of the filing fee.
[NAME]
09 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 Must Pay Rent Arrears or Face Immediate Termination
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant's Abandonment and Rent Arrears Lead to Termination
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears and Filing Fee
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Ordered to Pay Damages for End-of-Tenancy Breach
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Ordered to Pay Landlord $839.79 for Rent Arrears and Costs
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears and Repair Costs
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenancy Terminated Due to Rent Arrears
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Successfully Claims Bond Refund from Landlord
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Ordered to Repay Rent Arrears to Avoid Eviction
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant Ordered to Pay Rent Arrears and Damages
- Tenancy Tribunal Tenant loses case over unpaid rent: Tenancy terminated with debt order
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 pays rent arrears as proven by landlord on balance of probabilities.
- Tenant repays rent arrears and filing fee to avoid eviction under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
- Tenant's failure to pay rent justifies termination of tenancy under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
- Tenant is responsible for paying rent arrears and compensating landlord for damages incurred during tenancy.
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 rent arrears and return a bond.
Who was involved?
A landlord and two tenants were involved in the dispute over unpaid rent and a bond.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided based on the agreement between the parties regarding the amount owed at the end of the tenancy.
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 both parties agreed to the amount owing was crucial.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the landlord, as tenants were ordered to pay rent and return a bond.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Tenants should be prepared to pay any outstanding rent and return bonds if there are no disputes over damages or other issues.
What evidence or documents mattered?
No specific evidence or documents were mentioned as being crucial.
Can a decision like this be appealed?
Yes, tenants can apply for a rehearing or appeal the decision within specified timeframes.
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.