What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5288287 about?

The tribunal order states: An application for suppression has been made in this case, and the Tribunal

How much money was awarded in case 5288287?

Cleaning: $825.00 awarded to landlord; Cleaning: $442.76 awarded to landlord; Filing Fee: $27.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $328.90 awarded to landlord; Rubbish Removal: $117.88 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5288287?

The primary dispute was Cleanliness. Related themes: Property damage.

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5288287?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/12328241-Tribunal_Order_Redacted.pdf.

What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5288287 about?

The tribunal order states: An application for suppression has been made in this case, and the Tribunal

How much money was awarded in case 5288287?

Cleaning: $825.00 awarded to landlord; Cleaning: $442.76 awarded to landlord; Filing Fee: $27.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $328.90 awarded to landlord; Rubbish Removal: $117.88 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5288287?

The primary dispute was Cleanliness. Related themes: Property damage.

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5288287?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/12328241-Tribunal_Order_Redacted.pdf.

97 Hinemoa Street, Levin, Levin 5510 Tenancy Tribunal Case 5288287 — Cleanliness

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97 Hinemoa Street, Levin, Levin 5510 Tenancy Tribunal Case 5288287 — Cleanliness | TenantCheck

Claims & awards

What this tenancy cost at tribunal — claim, category, amount, and party awarded, with reconciled net total.

Claims and awards in Tenancy Tribunal application 5288287 — net $1,741.54 NZD. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Reason
Lock/key replacement	$328.90	Lock/key replacement
Cleaning	$442.76	Cleaning
Carpet Cleaning	$825.00	Carpet Cleaning
Rubbish removal	$117.88	Rubbish removal
Filing fee reimbursement	$27.00	Filing fee reimbursement
Net award	$1,741.54
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord	$1,741.54

Claims and awards for application 5288287 — net $1,741.54 NZD. Verify on MoJ.

Lock/key replacement

Amount: $328.90
Awarded to: Landlord
Reason: Lock/key replacement

Cleaning

Amount: $442.76
Awarded to: Landlord
Reason: Cleaning

Carpet Cleaning

Amount: $825.00
Awarded to: Landlord
Reason: Carpet Cleaning

Rubbish removal

Amount: $117.88
Awarded to: Landlord
Reason: Rubbish removal

Filing fee reimbursement

Amount: $27.00
Awarded to: Landlord
Reason: Filing fee reimbursement

Claim types — money lines allowed on this order

Carpet Cleaning Cleanliness Filing Fee Property damage Rubbish Removal

Order

An application for suppression has been made in this case, and the Tribunal orders suppression of the Landlord’s name.
Frances Marie Mather and Sasha Marie Austin must pay [The landlord/s] $1,741.54 immediately, calculated as shown in table below:

Reasons

Introduction

Frances Marie mather, Sasha marie austin (the Tenants) lived at 97 Hinemoa Street, Levin (the Premises) owned and/or managed by [The landlord/s] (the Landlord) for approximately one year.
The Landlord says after the tenancy ended in November 2024, the Tenants failed to leave the keys to the Premises, leave the Premises reasonably clean, and to remove all belongings and/or rubbish.
On 27 August 2025, the Landlord attended the phone hearing, the Tenants did not attend. 1 I am satisfied the Tenants were served with notice of the hearing and proceeded in their absence. 2 The Tenants have not filed any response to the Landlord’s application.
I note that on 6 December 2024, the Tribunal made a previous order to refund the total bond to the Landlord in partial payment of outstanding rent arrears and the application fee in that matter. 3 The Landlord advises an attachment order has been obtained in respect of that debt, and some payments have been made.
The issues I have to determine in this application are: a. Did the Tenants fail to return the keys to the Premises at the end of tenancy? b. Did the Tenants fail to leave the Premises reasonably clean at the end of tenancy? c. Did the Tenants fail to leave the carpets reasonably clean at the end of tenancy? d. Did the Tenants fail to remove all rubbish at the end of tenancy? e. Should the Tenants reimburse the Landlord’s application fee? f. Should the landlord’s name be suppressed? The Tribunal’s approach to the issues
The relevant law that applies is found in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (“the Act”). 1 Calls to each of their last known mobile numbers were unanswered. 2 On 3 July 2025, the notice of hearing was sent to each of the parties’ email addresses which are listed as their address for service in the tenancy agreement. I am satisfied service was effected pursuant to s 91A(2)(e) of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986. 3 [2024] NZTT 5021601.
With any claim before the Tenancy Tribunal, the Tribunal applies the usual civil law standards. That includes a requirement that the party bringing the claim establish their claim “on the balance of probabilities”. The balance of probabilities means more likely than unlikely, or in mathematical terms, has a fraction more than 50% likelihood. The Tribunal does not need to be certain or very sure about any claim, only that what is claimed is likely.
This obligation carried by the applicant is referred to as the “burden of proof”. Independent witnesses, corroborating documents and photographs are an important part of discharging this burden.
As noted by the District Court in Kaipo v Clarke & McCarthy (DC) TT233/02, in practical terms this means that: [L]ike anyone who brings an application before a Tribunal or Court, it is incumbent upon the applicant to provide the evidence necessary to prove the case. If the applicant fails to do that, then their application will be dismissed whether it has merit or not because it is up to the applicant to provide the necessary evidence. It is not up to the other parties, and it is certainly not up to the Tribunal to extract evidence.

Did the Tenants fail to return the keys to the Premises at the end of tenancy?

At the end of the tenancy a tenant must return all keys provided by the landlord for the tenant’s use. 4
The Landlord says the Tenants were asked to leave the keys inside the Premises and lock the Premises when moving out on 24 November 2024. The Landlord says when the agent attended on 26 November 2024 the Premises were locked the keys had not been left inside.
The Landlord filed evidence the cost of replacing the front door lock and garage side door lock was $328.90.
I am satisfied the Landlord has proved the Tenants did not return the keys at the end of the tenancy. The amount sought is proved and I make an order accordingly.

Did the Tenants fail to leave the Premises reasonably clean at the end of tenancy?

At the end of the tenancy a tenant must leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy. 5
The Landlord says the Tenants left food in the pantry and did not clean any of the surfaces and fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom. The Landlord relies on photographs taken during the final inspection on 26 November 2024. The Landlord says it took a cleaner a total of 5 hours to bring the Premises up to a 4 See section 40(1)(e)(iv) of the Act. 5 See section 40(1)(e)(iii) of the Act. “reasonably clean” standard, and seeks reimbursement of a total of $442.76 as per two invoices provided, both dated 5 December 2024.

Did the Tenants fail to leave the carpets reasonably clean at the end of tenancy?

At the end of the tenancy the tenant must leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy. 6 That obligation extends to all fixtures and chattels, including the carpet. While there is not a requirement that a tenant have the carpets professionally cleaned or treated, where a tenant leaves the carpet heavily soiled or with an insect infestation, that may be necessary.
The Landlord says the carpet had an odour noted by the agent who attended on 26 November 2024 and says the carpet was stained, referring to photographs taken during that inspection. The Landlord also says fleas were present throughout the Premises, noting the Tenants had cats.
The Landlord filed evidence the cost of carpet cleaning and treating the carpet for fleas was $825.
I am satisfied the Landlord has proved the Tenants did not leave the carpets reasonably clean in that stains are visible in the photos taken on 26 November 2024. I also accept the unchallenged evidence that the carpet had an odour and was infested with fleas. The amount sought is proved and I make an order accordingly.

Did the Tenant fail to remove all rubbish at the end of tenancy?

At the end of the tenancy the tenant must remove all of their belongings and all rubbish from the premises. 7
The Landlord says the Tenants left whiteware in the garage of the premises and two mattresses and a playhouse outside. The Landlord referred to photographs taken on 26 November 2024 which showed those items left in the garage and outside the house.
The Landlord filed evidence the cost of removing and dumping the rubbish was $117.88.
I am satisfied the Landlord has proved the Tenants did not remove all rubbish and/or belongings at the end of the tenancy. The amount sought is proved and I make an order accordingly. Should the Tenants reimburse the Landlord’s application fee?
As the Landlord has succeeded with the claim the Tenants must reimburse the filing fee. 6 See section 40(1)(e)(iii) of the Act. 7 See section 40(1)(e)(ii) and (iii) of the Act. Should the landlord’s identifying details be suppressed?
The Landlord applied for suppression of their name. As the application was successful, the Landlord is entitled to name suppression and I make the order accordingly.

Claims & awards

What this tenancy cost at tribunal — claim, category, amount, and party awarded, with reconciled net total.

Claims and awards in Tenancy Tribunal application 5288287 — net $1,741.54 NZD. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Reason
Lock/key replacement	$328.90	Lock/key replacement
Cleaning	$442.76	Cleaning
Carpet Cleaning	$825.00	Carpet Cleaning
Rubbish removal	$117.88	Rubbish removal
Filing fee reimbursement	$27.00	Filing fee reimbursement
Net award	$1,741.54
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord	$1,741.54

Claims and awards for application 5288287 — net $1,741.54 NZD. Verify on MoJ.

Lock/key replacement

Amount: $328.90
Awarded to: Landlord
Reason: Lock/key replacement

Cleaning

Amount: $442.76
Awarded to: Landlord
Reason: Cleaning

Carpet Cleaning

Amount: $825.00
Awarded to: Landlord
Reason: Carpet Cleaning

Rubbish removal

Amount: $117.88
Awarded to: Landlord
Reason: Rubbish removal

Filing fee reimbursement

Amount: $27.00
Awarded to: Landlord
Reason: Filing fee reimbursement

Claim types — money lines allowed on this order

Carpet Cleaning Cleanliness Filing Fee Property damage Rubbish Removal

Order

An application for suppression has been made in this case, and the Tribunal orders suppression of the Landlord’s name.
Frances Marie Mather and Sasha Marie Austin must pay [The landlord/s] $1,741.54 immediately, calculated as shown in table below:

Reasons

Introduction

Frances Marie mather, Sasha marie austin (the Tenants) lived at 97 Hinemoa Street, Levin (the Premises) owned and/or managed by [The landlord/s] (the Landlord) for approximately one year.
The Landlord says after the tenancy ended in November 2024, the Tenants failed to leave the keys to the Premises, leave the Premises reasonably clean, and to remove all belongings and/or rubbish.
On 27 August 2025, the Landlord attended the phone hearing, the Tenants did not attend. 1 I am satisfied the Tenants were served with notice of the hearing and proceeded in their absence. 2 The Tenants have not filed any response to the Landlord’s application.
I note that on 6 December 2024, the Tribunal made a previous order to refund the total bond to the Landlord in partial payment of outstanding rent arrears and the application fee in that matter. 3 The Landlord advises an attachment order has been obtained in respect of that debt, and some payments have been made.
The issues I have to determine in this application are: a. Did the Tenants fail to return the keys to the Premises at the end of tenancy? b. Did the Tenants fail to leave the Premises reasonably clean at the end of tenancy? c. Did the Tenants fail to leave the carpets reasonably clean at the end of tenancy? d. Did the Tenants fail to remove all rubbish at the end of tenancy? e. Should the Tenants reimburse the Landlord’s application fee? f. Should the landlord’s name be suppressed? The Tribunal’s approach to the issues
The relevant law that applies is found in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (“the Act”). 1 Calls to each of their last known mobile numbers were unanswered. 2 On 3 July 2025, the notice of hearing was sent to each of the parties’ email addresses which are listed as their address for service in the tenancy agreement. I am satisfied service was effected pursuant to s 91A(2)(e) of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986. 3 [2024] NZTT 5021601.
With any claim before the Tenancy Tribunal, the Tribunal applies the usual civil law standards. That includes a requirement that the party bringing the claim establish their claim “on the balance of probabilities”. The balance of probabilities means more likely than unlikely, or in mathematical terms, has a fraction more than 50% likelihood. The Tribunal does not need to be certain or very sure about any claim, only that what is claimed is likely.
This obligation carried by the applicant is referred to as the “burden of proof”. Independent witnesses, corroborating documents and photographs are an important part of discharging this burden.
As noted by the District Court in Kaipo v Clarke & McCarthy (DC) TT233/02, in practical terms this means that: [L]ike anyone who brings an application before a Tribunal or Court, it is incumbent upon the applicant to provide the evidence necessary to prove the case. If the applicant fails to do that, then their application will be dismissed whether it has merit or not because it is up to the applicant to provide the necessary evidence. It is not up to the other parties, and it is certainly not up to the Tribunal to extract evidence.

Did the Tenants fail to return the keys to the Premises at the end of tenancy?

At the end of the tenancy a tenant must return all keys provided by the landlord for the tenant’s use. 4
The Landlord says the Tenants were asked to leave the keys inside the Premises and lock the Premises when moving out on 24 November 2024. The Landlord says when the agent attended on 26 November 2024 the Premises were locked the keys had not been left inside.
The Landlord filed evidence the cost of replacing the front door lock and garage side door lock was $328.90.
I am satisfied the Landlord has proved the Tenants did not return the keys at the end of the tenancy. The amount sought is proved and I make an order accordingly.

Did the Tenants fail to leave the Premises reasonably clean at the end of tenancy?

At the end of the tenancy a tenant must leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy. 5
The Landlord says the Tenants left food in the pantry and did not clean any of the surfaces and fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom. The Landlord relies on photographs taken during the final inspection on 26 November 2024. The Landlord says it took a cleaner a total of 5 hours to bring the Premises up to a 4 See section 40(1)(e)(iv) of the Act. 5 See section 40(1)(e)(iii) of the Act. “reasonably clean” standard, and seeks reimbursement of a total of $442.76 as per two invoices provided, both dated 5 December 2024.

Did the Tenants fail to leave the carpets reasonably clean at the end of tenancy?

At the end of the tenancy the tenant must leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy. 6 That obligation extends to all fixtures and chattels, including the carpet. While there is not a requirement that a tenant have the carpets professionally cleaned or treated, where a tenant leaves the carpet heavily soiled or with an insect infestation, that may be necessary.
The Landlord says the carpet had an odour noted by the agent who attended on 26 November 2024 and says the carpet was stained, referring to photographs taken during that inspection. The Landlord also says fleas were present throughout the Premises, noting the Tenants had cats.
The Landlord filed evidence the cost of carpet cleaning and treating the carpet for fleas was $825.
I am satisfied the Landlord has proved the Tenants did not leave the carpets reasonably clean in that stains are visible in the photos taken on 26 November 2024. I also accept the unchallenged evidence that the carpet had an odour and was infested with fleas. The amount sought is proved and I make an order accordingly.

Did the Tenant fail to remove all rubbish at the end of tenancy?

At the end of the tenancy the tenant must remove all of their belongings and all rubbish from the premises. 7
The Landlord says the Tenants left whiteware in the garage of the premises and two mattresses and a playhouse outside. The Landlord referred to photographs taken on 26 November 2024 which showed those items left in the garage and outside the house.
The Landlord filed evidence the cost of removing and dumping the rubbish was $117.88.
I am satisfied the Landlord has proved the Tenants did not remove all rubbish and/or belongings at the end of the tenancy. The amount sought is proved and I make an order accordingly. Should the Tenants reimburse the Landlord’s application fee?
As the Landlord has succeeded with the claim the Tenants must reimburse the filing fee. 6 See section 40(1)(e)(iii) of the Act. 7 See section 40(1)(e)(ii) and (iii) of the Act. Should the landlord’s identifying details be suppressed?
The Landlord applied for suppression of their name. As the application was successful, the Landlord is entitled to name suppression and I make the order accordingly.

Tenancy Tribunal case 5288287 — Cleanliness at 97 Hinemoa Street, Levin, Levin 5510

At a glance

Tenancy Tribunal case 5288287 — Cleanliness at 97 Hinemoa Street, Levin, Levin 5510

At a glance

Award balance

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

Did the Tenants fail to return the keys to the Premises at the end of tenancy?

Did the Tenants fail to leave the Premises reasonably clean at the end of tenancy?

Did the Tenants fail to leave the carpets reasonably clean at the end of tenancy?

Did the Tenant fail to remove all rubbish at the end of tenancy?

Topics & place

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Key findings

Frequently asked questions

Award balance

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

Did the Tenants fail to return the keys to the Premises at the end of tenancy?

Did the Tenants fail to leave the Premises reasonably clean at the end of tenancy?

Did the Tenants fail to leave the carpets reasonably clean at the end of tenancy?

Did the Tenant fail to remove all rubbish at the end of tenancy?

Topics & place

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Key findings

Frequently asked questions