Unpaid Water Rates Ruling - Tenancy Tribunal Decision
📌 In brief
The Tenancy Tribunal ruled in favour of the landlord for unpaid water rates and filing fees after the tenant failed to attend the hearing.
⚖️ Legal holding
A tenant is liable for water rates as per the tenancy agreement.
📖 Technical summary
The Tenancy Tribunal awarded the landlord $1,627.18 for unpaid water rates and filing fees.
📜 Headnote Official document
The Tenancy Tribunal awarded the landlord $1,627.18 for unpaid water rates and filing fees after the tenant failed to attend the hearing.
📚 Full judgment Official document
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[2026] NZTT 5463829
TENANCY TRIBUNAL AT REMOTE LOCATION | TE TARAIPIUNARA RETIHANGA
APPLICANT: [redacted]
Landlord
RESPONDENT: [redacted]
Tenant
TENANCY ADDRESS: [ADDRESS], [POSTCODE]
ORDER
1. [NAME] and [NAME] must pay [COMPANY] As Agent For [NAME] $1,627.18 immediately, calculated as shown in table below:
Description Landlord Tenant Water rates to 19 May 2026 $1,599.18 Filing fee reimbursement $28.00 Total award $1,627.18 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord $1,627.18
Reasons:
1. Only the landlord attended today’s hearing. The tenant did not attend by video or phone. The tenant was called on the numbers in the application but none of the calls were answered. I am satisfied that the tenant was given notice of today’s hearing and have proceeded in their absence.
2. The landlord has is claiming for $1599.18 for water rates.
3. The tenants are liable for water rates in the tenancy agreement.
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4. Up until May 2025 the water rates were usually paid on time. However, since that date the tenant has only paid $406.45 towards water rates leaving a balance of $1599.18 outstanding.
5. I am satisfied that the tenant is alible for the water rates and award that amount.
6. As the landlord has been successful, I also award the landlord the filing fee.
T Prowse
18 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:
⚖️ What tends to weigh in cases like this
✅ Tends to be accepted
- The tenant is liable for water rates as per the tenancy agreement.
- The landlord provided evidence showing the tenant's outstanding balance for water rates.
- The water rates were claimed to be $1,599.18, which the tribunal accepted.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- The tenant did not attend the hearing to contest the claim.
- No payment was made by the tenant towards the full amount of water rates since May 2025.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What did this decision decide?
The Tenancy Tribunal awarded the landlord $1,627.18 for unpaid water rates and filing fees.
What was the dispute about?
The dispute was about unpaid water rates and the landlord's request for payment of these rates.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided in favour of the landlord because the tenancy agreement stated that the tenant is responsible for paying water rates.
Which laws or rules were applied?
Residential Tenancies Act 1986, s 54
What was the argument that mattered most?
The most important argument was that the tenancy agreement clearly states that the tenant is responsible for paying water rates.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was for the landlord who brought the case.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone in a similar situation should ensure they adhere to the terms of their tenancy agreement, especially regarding payment of utilities.
What evidence or documents mattered?
The evidence included the tenancy agreement and the history of water rate payments.