Published tribunal order
Tenancy Tribunal case 5182171 — Cleanliness
Decided 6 Jun 2025 · Published 6 Jun 2025 · Application 5182171
- Cleanliness
- Property damage
Party names are redacted in the official published order.
Order
- An application for suppression has been made in this case, and the Tribunal orders suppression of the landlord’s name and identifying details.
- LYDIA SUZANNE SHARNEEN THOMPSON and NATE MANU THOMPSON must pay [The landlord/s] $33,973.00 immediately, calculated as shown in the table below.
- The hearing is adjourned to a date to be scheduled before me. The next hearing will be by telephone. The purpose of the hearing will be to hear the landlord’s remaining claim for lawns ($100.00) tree trimming ($150.00) and repairs (circa $1,500.00).
Reasons
- The landlord attended the hearing on 5 June 2025.
- The landlord has applied for rent arrears, outgoings, compensation, and reimbursement of the filing fee following the end of the tenancy. Rent and Water
- The landlord discovered that the tenants had vacated the property on 31 January 2025. The tenants did not inform the landlord that they were vacating and did not return the keys. They have not returned.
- I find that the tenants abandoned the property and are liable for the rent to the end of the fixed term on 14 April 2025. The landlord said the premises had only been re-let from 2 June 2025.
- The weekly rent was $1,250.00 which is why the rent arrears are very high. The arrears were over $20,000.00 when the tenants vacated, and the last payment of rent was $1,000.00 on 13 January 2025. The landlord provided a rent summary which establishes the amount owed for rent at the end of the tenancy.
- The tenancy agreement provided that the water charges would be paid at the rate of $30.00 per week. Under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, tenants are only liable for the water they use. Ordinarily, the landlord provides the water invoices to the tenant who pays the consumption charges. The landlord said the water charges were more than the amount claimed. The tenancy ran for 52 weeks. At $30.00 per week, the landlord’s claim is for 44 weeks ($1,320.00). I award the claimed water charges.
- The bond is held by the landlord. I deduct the bond from the amounts awarded.
Did the tenant comply with their obligations at the end of the tenancy?
- 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.
- The tenant did not leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy and did not remove all rubbish. The landlord’s photographs show that the carpets, flooring, and walls needed cleaning. The cleaning invoice refers to cleaning 6 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.
- There was a large amount of rubbish left behind at the end of the tenancy, both inside and outside, including large items of furniture and other hard rubbish.
- The tenant did not return the keys. I award the cost of replacing the locks.
- The tenants had a dog at the premises, in breach of the tenancy agreement. The landlord said he was bitten by fleas when he entered at the end of the tenancy. I award the pest control costs. Tenant Damage
- The landlord claimed the cost of repairs to the cooktop, kitchen cabinetry, door handles, and walls. The photographs do not show this damage and there are no quotes or invoices. The claim has been estimated at $1,500.00. I have decided to adjourn this claim to give the landlord an opportunity to provide further evidence. Filing Fee and Suppression
- The landlord’s application has been largely successful. It is appropriate to award the filing fee at this stage.
- The landlord requested name suppression, and this is granted.