Tenant’s Tenancy Terminated Due to Abandonment and Rent Arrears

OUTCOME: Allowed

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[2026] NZTT 5514892

TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT

APPLICANT: [redacted]

Landlord

RESPONDENT: [redacted]

Tenant

TENANCY ADDRESS: Unit/[ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]

ORDER

1. The tenancy of [RESPONDENT] at Unit/[ADDRESS], [POSTCODE] is terminated, and possession is granted to [APPELLANT] [COMPANY] , immediately.

Reasons:

1. The landlord has applied for termination of the tenancy for abandonment through the expedited process under section 91AA of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (RTA).

Are there grounds for an expedited application?

2. I am satisfied that the two requirements for the expedited process are met:

a. The tenant does not want to contest the abandonment application; and

b. The information provided by the landlord with the application is sufficient to enable the Tribunal to determine it properly without a hearing (either on the basis of that information alone or with only minor clarifications).

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Should the tenancy be terminated?

3. The Tribunal may terminate the tenancy where the premises have been abandoned and rent is in arrears at the hearing date. (See section 61 of the RTA.) A tenancy is abandoned where the tenant leaves the premises without reasonable excuse, not intending to return or to meet their obligations.

4. On 28 May 2026, the landlord became aware (or ought to have been aware) that the tenant had abandoned the premises. This was the date the landlord inspected the premises. The landlord has provided photographs from this inspection showing that it is more likely than not that the tenant has abandoned the premises.

5. The landlord has also provided rent records which prove the amount owing at today’s date.

6. As the premises have been abandoned, and rent is in arrears, I am terminating the tenancy immediately.

7. If the landlord has any other claims against the tenant, the landlord will need to lodge a further claim with the Tribunal and pay the applicable fee.

K [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: