What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5276199 about?

The tribunal order states: Jamila Dunn must pay [The landlord/s] $2,995.52 immediately, calculated as

How much money was awarded in case 5276199?

Filing Fee: $27.00 awarded to landlord; Lawns and Garden Work: $660.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $1,417.71 awarded to landlord; Replace Curtains, Missing Bulbs & Di…: $391.81 awarded to landlord; Rubbish Removal: $499.00 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5276199?

The primary dispute was Property damage.

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5276199?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/12464913-Tribunal_Order_Redacted.pdf.

What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5276199 about?

The tribunal order states: Jamila Dunn must pay [The landlord/s] $2,995.52 immediately, calculated as

How much money was awarded in case 5276199?

Filing Fee: $27.00 awarded to landlord; Lawns and Garden Work: $660.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $1,417.71 awarded to landlord; Replace Curtains, Missing Bulbs & Di…: $391.81 awarded to landlord; Rubbish Removal: $499.00 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5276199?

The primary dispute was Property damage.

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5276199?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/12464913-Tribunal_Order_Redacted.pdf.

New Zealand Tenancy Tribunal Case 5276199 — Property damage

Reasons

Claims and awards in Tenancy Tribunal application 5276199 — net $2,995.52 NZD. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Reason
Garden tidy up & lawns	$660.00	Garden tidy up & lawns
Repair damages to the property – walls & door frames	$1,417.71	Repair damages to the property – walls & door frames
Replace curtains, missing bulbs & diffuser – full charge	$391.81	Replace curtains, missing bulbs & diffuser – full charge
Skip bin hire/rubbish removal	$499.00	Skip bin hire/rubbish removal
Filing fee reimbursement	$27.00	Filing fee reimbursement
Net award	$2,995.52
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord	$2,995.52

The landlord attended the hearing which was held by teleconference on 18 September 2025. The tenant did not attend. The tenant was phoned on contact number provided in the application but without success. I am satisfied that proper service of the hearing notice had been completed and considered it reasonable to proceed with the hearing in the tenant’s absence.

The landlord has applied for compensation and reimbursement of the filing fee following the end of the tenancy.

Did the tenant comply with their obligations?

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. See section 40(1)(e)(ii)-(v) Residential Tenancies Act 1986. The tenant is required to replace worn out smoke alarm batteries during the tenancy. See section 40(1)(ca) RTA. The tenant must also replace standard light bulbs.

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. See sections 40(2)(a), 41 and 49B RTA.

The landlord claimed costs for garden tidy up and lawns ($660.00), repairing damage to the property including walls and a door frame ($1,417.71), replacing curtains, missing bulbs and diffuser (the full charge being $578.23 with a remaining balance claimed of $391.81), and skip bin hire/rubbish removal ($499.00). The landlord relied on photographs taken of the property at the start and the end of the tenancy, and invoices.

In this case, the photographic and documentary evidence presented by the landlord establishes that the tenant did not leave the premises in a reasonably clean and tidy state. There was widespread soiling, residue, cobwebs, unclean fixtures and appliances, and significant leftover rubbish. A substantial number of items were left behind, including personal belongings and rubbish under the deck, in bins, and on the driveway. The gardens and lawns were overgrown and required professional attention.

The evidence also supports the landlord’s claim for missing or damaged chattels, including curtains, light bulbs, and a light diffuser. The costs to replace these items were supported by invoices.

The landlord further claims for damage to walls and a door frame. Based on the photos and nature of the damage, I am satisfied this exceeds fair wear and tear. There is no evidence from the tenant to rebut the presumption of liability under sections 40(2)(a) and 49B(3) RTA.

The skip bin hire and rubbish removal were necessary due to the substantial amount of items and waste left behind. The invoice for this service is accepted.

The amounts ordered are proved.

I have taken into account betterment and depreciation which do not apply in this case.

As the landlord has wholly succeeded with the claim, I must order the tenant to reimburse the filing fee and grant suppression of the landlord’s name and identifying details.

Claims and awards in Tenancy Tribunal application 5276199 — net $2,995.52 NZD. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Reason
Garden tidy up & lawns	$660.00	Garden tidy up & lawns
Repair damages to the property – walls & door frames	$1,417.71	Repair damages to the property – walls & door frames
Replace curtains, missing bulbs & diffuser – full charge	$391.81	Replace curtains, missing bulbs & diffuser – full charge
Skip bin hire/rubbish removal	$499.00	Skip bin hire/rubbish removal
Filing fee reimbursement	$27.00	Filing fee reimbursement
Net award	$2,995.52
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord	$2,995.52

Order

Jamila Dunn must pay [The landlord/s] $2,995.52 immediately, calculated as shown in the table below.

Reasons

The landlord attended the hearing which was held by teleconference on 18 September 2025. The tenant did not attend. The tenant was phoned on contact number provided in the application but without success. I am satisfied that proper service of the hearing notice had been completed and considered it reasonable to proceed with the hearing in the tenant’s absence.
The landlord has applied for compensation and reimbursement of the filing fee following the end of the tenancy.

Did the tenant comply with their obligations?

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. See section 40(1)(e)(ii)-(v) Residential Tenancies Act 1986. The tenant is required to replace worn out smoke alarm batteries during the tenancy. See section 40(1)(ca) RTA. The tenant must also replace standard light bulbs.
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. See sections 40(2)(a), 41 and 49B RTA.
The landlord claimed costs for garden tidy up and lawns ($660.00), repairing damage to the property including walls and a door frame ($1,417.71), replacing curtains, missing bulbs and diffuser (the full charge being $578.23 with a remaining balance claimed of $391.81), and skip bin hire/rubbish removal ($499.00). The landlord relied on photographs taken of the property at the start and the end of the tenancy, and invoices.
In this case, the photographic and documentary evidence presented by the landlord establishes that the tenant did not leave the premises in a reasonably clean and tidy state. There was widespread soiling, residue, cobwebs, unclean fixtures and appliances, and significant leftover rubbish. A substantial number of items were left behind, including personal belongings and rubbish under the deck, in bins, and on the driveway. The gardens and lawns were overgrown and required professional attention.
The evidence also supports the landlord’s claim for missing or damaged chattels, including curtains, light bulbs, and a light diffuser. The costs to replace these items were supported by invoices.
The landlord further claims for damage to walls and a door frame. Based on the photos and nature of the damage, I am satisfied this exceeds fair wear and tear. There is no evidence from the tenant to rebut the presumption of liability under sections 40(2)(a) and 49B(3) RTA.
The skip bin hire and rubbish removal were necessary due to the substantial amount of items and waste left behind. The invoice for this service is accepted.
The amounts ordered are proved.
I have taken into account betterment and depreciation which do not apply in this case.
As the landlord has wholly succeeded with the claim, I must order the tenant to reimburse the filing fee and grant suppression of the landlord’s name and identifying details.

Tenancy Tribunal case 5276199 — Property damage

At a glance

Award balance

Tenancy Tribunal case 5276199 — Property damage

At a glance

Award balance

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

Did the tenant comply with their obligations?

Topics & place

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Key findings

Frequently asked questions

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

Did the tenant comply with their obligations?

Topics & place

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Key findings

Frequently asked questions