What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5292281 about?

The tribunal order states: [The tenant/s] to pay [The landlord/s] $1,945.57 from the bond, calculated as shown in table

How much money was awarded in case 5292281?

Cleaning: $220.00 awarded to landlord; Filing Fee: $27.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $550.00 awarded to landlord; Rent Arrears: $1,148.57 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5292281?

The primary dispute was Rent arrears. Related themes: Property damage, Cleanliness.

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5292281?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/12605173-Tenancy_Tribunal_Order.pdf.

What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5292281 about?

The tribunal order states: [The tenant/s] to pay [The landlord/s] $1,945.57 from the bond, calculated as shown in table

How much money was awarded in case 5292281?

Cleaning: $220.00 awarded to landlord; Filing Fee: $27.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $550.00 awarded to landlord; Rent Arrears: $1,148.57 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5292281?

The primary dispute was Rent arrears. Related themes: Property damage, Cleanliness.

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5292281?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/12605173-Tenancy_Tribunal_Order.pdf.

4 Godley Place, Woodend 7610 Tenancy Tribunal Case 5292281 — Rent arrears

Reasons

Claims and awards in Tenancy Tribunal application 5292281 — net $1,945.57 NZD. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Reason
Rent arrears as at end of tenancy	$1,148.57	Rent arrears as at end of tenancy
Cleaning	$220.00	Cleaning
Insurance excess - carpet	$550.00	Insurance excess - carpet
Filing fee reimbursement	$27.00	Filing fee reimbursement
Net award	$1,945.57
Bond	$2,560.00
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord	$1,945.57

Both parties attended the hearing – the landlord by video conference and the tenant by teleconference.

The landlord has applied for rent arrears, compensation, payment from the bond, and reimbursement of the filing fee following the end of the tenancy.

How much is owed for rent?

The tenancy ended on 31 May 2025. At today’s hearing the tenant accepted that she owed $1148.57 in rent arrears.

Did the tenant comply with her 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. See section 40(1)(e)(ii)-(v) Residential Tenancies Act 1986.

The landlord claims $488.75 which is the invoiced cost of cleaning the premises at the end of the tenancy.

There was also a claim for $123.00 as the invoiced cost of cleaning the blinds.

At today’s hearing we went through all the photos that the landlord provided which they say is evidence that the house was not left reasonably clean. After the hearing I also saw that photos of the blinds had also been provided.

While I accept that there were areas in the house that were not left reasonably clean, (mainly walls and doors), I am cognisant of the fact that tenants are not required to leave premises perfectly clean.

To get the premises to a reasonably clean standard, I have estimated the cleaning cost to be $220.00 and I am ordering the tenant to pay this amount. This includes the claim for the blinds.

In coming to this amount I have taken into account the tenant’s comment that these issues could have been remedied with a quick wipe. While that may or may not be so, the fact is that the photographs show that the premises were not left reasonably clean and the tenant is required to pay the cost of getting it to a reasonably clean state.

The claim for weeding was withdrawn.

Is the tenant responsible for the damage to the premises?

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.

Where the damage is caused carelessly, and is covered by the landlord's insurance, the tenant's liability is limited to the lesser of the insurance excess or four weeks' rent (or four weeks' market rent in the case of a tenant paying income-related rent). See section 49B(3)(a) RTA.

It was accepted at today’s hearing that the lounge carpet was stained during this tenancy. I also accept that these stains, which are beyond fair wear and tear, were not removed by cleaning and so the carpet needed replacement.

Further to this, it was established at today’s hearing that the insurance excess payable was less than the cost of replacing the carpet taking depreciation into account. The tenant is therefore liable for the $550.00 excess. Filing fee reimbursement

I am ordering the tenant to reimburse the cost of filing this claim to the landlord because the landlord was substantially successful with the claim against her. C ter Haar 23 October 2025

Claims and awards in Tenancy Tribunal application 5292281 — net $1,945.57 NZD. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Reason
Rent arrears as at end of tenancy	$1,148.57	Rent arrears as at end of tenancy
Cleaning	$220.00	Cleaning
Insurance excess - carpet	$550.00	Insurance excess - carpet
Filing fee reimbursement	$27.00	Filing fee reimbursement
Net award	$1,945.57
Bond	$2,560.00
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord	$1,945.57

Order

[The tenant/s] to pay [The landlord/s] $1,945.57 from the bond, calculated as shown in table below.
The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $2,560.00 (6453789-001) immediately apportioned as follows: [The landlord/s]: $1,945.57 [The tenant/s]: $614.43

Reasons

Both parties attended the hearing – the landlord by video conference and the tenant by teleconference.
The landlord has applied for rent arrears, compensation, payment from the bond, and reimbursement of the filing fee following the end of the tenancy.

How much is owed for rent?

The tenancy ended on 31 May 2025. At today’s hearing the tenant accepted that she owed $1148.57 in rent arrears.

Did the tenant comply with her 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. See section 40(1)(e)(ii)-(v) Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
The landlord claims $488.75 which is the invoiced cost of cleaning the premises at the end of the tenancy.
There was also a claim for $123.00 as the invoiced cost of cleaning the blinds.
At today’s hearing we went through all the photos that the landlord provided which they say is evidence that the house was not left reasonably clean. After the hearing I also saw that photos of the blinds had also been provided.
While I accept that there were areas in the house that were not left reasonably clean, (mainly walls and doors), I am cognisant of the fact that tenants are not required to leave premises perfectly clean.
To get the premises to a reasonably clean standard, I have estimated the cleaning cost to be $220.00 and I am ordering the tenant to pay this amount. This includes the claim for the blinds.
In coming to this amount I have taken into account the tenant’s comment that these issues could have been remedied with a quick wipe. While that may or may not be so, the fact is that the photographs show that the premises were not left reasonably clean and the tenant is required to pay the cost of getting it to a reasonably clean state.
The claim for weeding was withdrawn.

Is the tenant responsible for the damage to the premises?

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.
Where the damage is caused carelessly, and is covered by the landlord's insurance, the tenant's liability is limited to the lesser of the insurance excess or four weeks' rent (or four weeks' market rent in the case of a tenant paying income-related rent). See section 49B(3)(a) RTA.
It was accepted at today’s hearing that the lounge carpet was stained during this tenancy. I also accept that these stains, which are beyond fair wear and tear, were not removed by cleaning and so the carpet needed replacement.
Further to this, it was established at today’s hearing that the insurance excess payable was less than the cost of replacing the carpet taking depreciation into account. The tenant is therefore liable for the $550.00 excess. Filing fee reimbursement
I am ordering the tenant to reimburse the cost of filing this claim to the landlord because the landlord was substantially successful with the claim against her. C ter Haar 23 October 2025

Tenancy Tribunal case 5292281 — Rent arrears at 4 Godley Place, Woodend 7610

At a glance

Tenancy Tribunal case 5292281 — Rent arrears at 4 Godley Place, Woodend 7610

At a glance

Award balance

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

How much is owed for rent?

Did the tenant comply with her obligations at the end of the tenancy?

Is the tenant responsible for the damage to the premises?

Topics & place

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Key findings

Frequently asked questions

Award balance

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

How much is owed for rent?

Did the tenant comply with her obligations at the end of the tenancy?

Is the tenant responsible for the damage to the premises?

Topics & place

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Key findings

Frequently asked questions