What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5294439 about?

The tribunal order states: The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $1,700.00 (BN-00072916) immediately

How much money was awarded in case 5294439?

Cleaning: $345.00 awarded to landlord; Filing Fee: $28.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $249.00 awarded to landlord; Rent Arrears: $486.04 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5294439?

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

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5294439?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/12415171-Tenancy_Tribunal_Order.pdf.

What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5294439 about?

The tribunal order states: The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $1,700.00 (BN-00072916) immediately

How much money was awarded in case 5294439?

Cleaning: $345.00 awarded to landlord; Filing Fee: $28.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $249.00 awarded to landlord; Rent Arrears: $486.04 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5294439?

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

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5294439?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/12415171-Tenancy_Tribunal_Order.pdf.

Unit/Flat 4, 482 Hereford Street, Linwood, Christchurch Tenancy Tribunal Case 5294439 — Rent arrears

Order

Claims and awards in Tenancy Tribunal application 5294439 — net $1,108.04 NZD. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Reason
Rent arrears to 07/06/25	$486.04	Rent arrears to 07/06/25
Carpet Cleaning	$345.00	Carpet Cleaning
Lock/key replacement	$249.00	Lock/key replacement
Filing fee reimbursement	$28.00	Filing fee reimbursement
Net award	$1,108.04
Bond	$1,700.00
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord	$1,108.04

The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $1,700.00 (BN-00072916) immediately apportioned as follows: [The landlord/s] and [The landlord/s]: $1,108.04 [The tenant/s] and [The tenant/s]: $591.96

[The tenant/s] and [The tenant/s] to pay [The landlord/s] and [The landlord/s] $1,108.04 from the bond, calculated as shown in table below:

Reasons

Introduction

[The tenant/s] and [The tenant/s] (the Tenant) lived at Flat 4, 482 Hereford Street, Linwood, Christchurch 8011 (the Premises) owned (or managed) by Maranello Property Management Limited for three months.

On 7 June 2025, the tenancy came to an end. Ms Tomlinson moved out of the Premises on that date. Mr Lawrence continued to live in the Premises and entered into a new tenancy agreement with the Landlord. For the purposes of this application, the parties are jointly and severally liable for the duration of their joint tenancy.

The Landlord says that, as at the end of the tenancy, the Tenant owed rent arrears. The Landlord also says the Tenant is liable for the cost of carpet cleaning and replacement locks.

The issues I have to determine are: a. Did the Tenant owe rent arrears at the end of tenancy? b. Is the Tenant liable for the cost of carpet cleaning and replacement locks? c. Should the Tenant reimburse the Landlord’s filing fee? d. To whom should the bond be refunded to?

On 16 September 2025, the Landlord attended the remote hearing, neither Ms Tomlinson nor Mr Lawrence attended. Calls to each of their last known mobile numbers went unanswered. I am satisfied the Tenant was served with notice of the hearing and proceeded in their absence.

Did the Tenant owe rent arrears at the end of tenancy?

The tenancy ended on 7 June 2025. The Landlord provided rent records which prove that as at that date, the Tenant owed $486.04 in rent. The Landlord says Mr Lawrence had paid rent but Ms Tomlinson had not, and that was why the rent was in arrears.

Mr Lawrence and Ms Tomlinson are treated as jointly and severally liable for any breaches of the tenancy agreement (and any breaches of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986) during the tenancy. Accordingly, the order for rent arrears is made against the Tenant, that is both Mr Lawrence and Ms Tomlinson.

Is the Tenant liable for the cost of carpet cleaning and replacement locks?

At the end of the tenancy, a tenant must leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy, and return all keys and security devices. 1

When Ms Tomlinson moved out, she did not return her key. The Landlord says, in order to ensure the Premises could be secured, they immediately had the locks changed. A locksmith attended on Saturday 7 June 2025 and the locksmith’s invoice for $249 was provided.

I am satisfied that at the end of the tenancy Ms Tomlinson failed to return the key provided to her. I am also satisfied that, for the Landlord’s security and Mr Lawrence’s safety, it was immediately necessary to have new keys cut.

I am also satisfied that when the tenancy ended, the Premises was not left reasonably clean and tidy in that the carpet was stained with cat faeces and urine. Ms Russell gave evidence that when she attended the Premises on 7 June 2025, the odour of cat urine was over-powering and she saw cat faeces on the carpet in the hallway. Ms Russell says the Tenant had two kittens in the Premises, which had not been authorised by the Landlord. Photographs were also provided, taken approximately a week after 7 June 2025, which show staining and discolouration on the carpet in the lounge, hallway and the bedroom used by Ms Tomlinson.

The Landlord has provided evidence carpet cleaning was carried out on or about 18 June 2025, at a cost of $345. The Landlord confirmed the Landlord’s insurance does not cover the cost of carpet cleaning.

The amounts ordered are proved. Should the Tenant reimburse the Landlord’s filing fee?

As the Landlord has succeeded with the claim the Tenant must reimburse the filing fee.

To whom should the bond be refunded to?

A bond of $1,700 is held by the Bond Centre in the names of Mr Lawrence had and Ms Tomlinson.

The Bond Centre is to refund to the Landlord the full amount as ordered by the Tribunal. The remainder of the bond is to be refunded to the Tenant. 1 Section 40(1)(e)(ii)-(v) of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.

If there is an dispute between Mr Lawrence and Ms Tomlinson as to the distribution of the refunded bond, that is a matter outside of the jurisdiction of the Tenancy Tribunal.

Claims and awards in Tenancy Tribunal application 5294439 — net $1,108.04 NZD. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Reason
Rent arrears to 07/06/25	$486.04	Rent arrears to 07/06/25
Carpet Cleaning	$345.00	Carpet Cleaning
Lock/key replacement	$249.00	Lock/key replacement
Filing fee reimbursement	$28.00	Filing fee reimbursement
Net award	$1,108.04
Bond	$1,700.00
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord	$1,108.04

Order

The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $1,700.00 (BN-00072916) immediately apportioned as follows: [The landlord/s] and [The landlord/s]: $1,108.04 [The tenant/s] and [The tenant/s]: $591.96
[The tenant/s] and [The tenant/s] to pay [The landlord/s] and [The landlord/s] $1,108.04 from the bond, calculated as shown in table below:

Reasons

Introduction

[The tenant/s] and [The tenant/s] (the Tenant) lived at Flat 4, 482 Hereford Street, Linwood, Christchurch 8011 (the Premises) owned (or managed) by Maranello Property Management Limited for three months.
On 7 June 2025, the tenancy came to an end. Ms Tomlinson moved out of the Premises on that date. Mr Lawrence continued to live in the Premises and entered into a new tenancy agreement with the Landlord. For the purposes of this application, the parties are jointly and severally liable for the duration of their joint tenancy.
The Landlord says that, as at the end of the tenancy, the Tenant owed rent arrears. The Landlord also says the Tenant is liable for the cost of carpet cleaning and replacement locks.
The issues I have to determine are: a. Did the Tenant owe rent arrears at the end of tenancy? b. Is the Tenant liable for the cost of carpet cleaning and replacement locks? c. Should the Tenant reimburse the Landlord’s filing fee? d. To whom should the bond be refunded to?
On 16 September 2025, the Landlord attended the remote hearing, neither Ms Tomlinson nor Mr Lawrence attended. Calls to each of their last known mobile numbers went unanswered. I am satisfied the Tenant was served with notice of the hearing and proceeded in their absence.

Did the Tenant owe rent arrears at the end of tenancy?

The tenancy ended on 7 June 2025. The Landlord provided rent records which prove that as at that date, the Tenant owed $486.04 in rent. The Landlord says Mr Lawrence had paid rent but Ms Tomlinson had not, and that was why the rent was in arrears.
Mr Lawrence and Ms Tomlinson are treated as jointly and severally liable for any breaches of the tenancy agreement (and any breaches of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986) during the tenancy. Accordingly, the order for rent arrears is made against the Tenant, that is both Mr Lawrence and Ms Tomlinson.

Is the Tenant liable for the cost of carpet cleaning and replacement locks?

At the end of the tenancy, a tenant must leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy, and return all keys and security devices. 1
When Ms Tomlinson moved out, she did not return her key. The Landlord says, in order to ensure the Premises could be secured, they immediately had the locks changed. A locksmith attended on Saturday 7 June 2025 and the locksmith’s invoice for $249 was provided.
I am satisfied that at the end of the tenancy Ms Tomlinson failed to return the key provided to her. I am also satisfied that, for the Landlord’s security and Mr Lawrence’s safety, it was immediately necessary to have new keys cut.
I am also satisfied that when the tenancy ended, the Premises was not left reasonably clean and tidy in that the carpet was stained with cat faeces and urine. Ms Russell gave evidence that when she attended the Premises on 7 June 2025, the odour of cat urine was over-powering and she saw cat faeces on the carpet in the hallway. Ms Russell says the Tenant had two kittens in the Premises, which had not been authorised by the Landlord. Photographs were also provided, taken approximately a week after 7 June 2025, which show staining and discolouration on the carpet in the lounge, hallway and the bedroom used by Ms Tomlinson.
The Landlord has provided evidence carpet cleaning was carried out on or about 18 June 2025, at a cost of $345. The Landlord confirmed the Landlord’s insurance does not cover the cost of carpet cleaning.
The amounts ordered are proved. Should the Tenant reimburse the Landlord’s filing fee?
As the Landlord has succeeded with the claim the Tenant must reimburse the filing fee.

To whom should the bond be refunded to?

A bond of $1,700 is held by the Bond Centre in the names of Mr Lawrence had and Ms Tomlinson.
The Bond Centre is to refund to the Landlord the full amount as ordered by the Tribunal. The remainder of the bond is to be refunded to the Tenant. 1 Section 40(1)(e)(ii)-(v) of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
If there is an dispute between Mr Lawrence and Ms Tomlinson as to the distribution of the refunded bond, that is a matter outside of the jurisdiction of the Tenancy Tribunal.

Tenancy Tribunal case 5294439 — Rent arrears at Unit/Flat 4, 482 Hereford Street, Linwood, Christchurch

At a glance

Tenancy Tribunal case 5294439 — Rent arrears at Unit/Flat 4, 482 Hereford Street, Linwood, Christchurch

At a glance

Award balance

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

Did the Tenant owe rent arrears at the end of tenancy?

Is the Tenant liable for the cost of carpet cleaning and replacement locks?

To whom should the bond be refunded to?

Topics & place

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Key findings

Frequently asked questions

Award balance

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

Did the Tenant owe rent arrears at the end of tenancy?

Is the Tenant liable for the cost of carpet cleaning and replacement locks?

To whom should the bond be refunded to?

Topics & place

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Key findings

Frequently asked questions