What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5297720 about?

The tribunal order states: The Tribunal orders suppression of the Tenants and Landlord’s names and

How much money was awarded in case 5297720?

Filing Fee: $27.00 awarded to landlord; Water Rates: $1,132.09 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5297720?

The dispute type was not classified.

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5297720?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/12286185-Tribunal_Order_Redacted.pdf.

What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5297720 about?

The tribunal order states: The Tribunal orders suppression of the Tenants and Landlord’s names and

How much money was awarded in case 5297720?

Filing Fee: $27.00 awarded to landlord; Water Rates: $1,132.09 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5297720?

The dispute type was not classified.

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5297720?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/12286185-Tribunal_Order_Redacted.pdf.

New Zealand Tenancy Tribunal Case 5297720 — Tenancy dispute

Order

Claims and awards in Tenancy Tribunal application 5297720 — net $1,159.09 NZD. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Reason
Water rates as at 19/08/2025	$1,132.09	2. The landlord’s application concerns water rates arrears.
Filing fee reimbursement	$27.00	Filing fee reimbursement
Net award	$1,159.09
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord	$1,159.09

The Tribunal orders suppression of the Tenants and Landlord’s names and identifying details.

[The tenant/s] owes [The landlord/s] $1,159.09 (“the debt”), calculated in the table below:

The tenants must pay the debt in order 2 above at the rate of $30.00 per week.

The first payment must be made on Thursday 28 August 2025 and payments must continue every Thursday thereafter until the debt is paid in full.

If the tenants fail to make any payment within 2 working days of the due date, the balance of the debt owing will be payable immediately and can be enforced through the District Court.

Reasons

A hearing was held today. The landlord attended, but the tenants did not appear. I am satisfied that the notice of hearing was properly served. It is therefore reasonable to proceed in the tenants’ absence.

The landlord’s application concerns water rates arrears. At the time of filing the application, the outstanding balance was $973.02. The amount owing today is $1,132.09. The landlord produced a tenant ledger and supporting Watercare invoices which I accept as reliable evidence of the amount owing.

The landlord confirmed that they are not seeking termination of the tenancy. Instead, they wished to secure some form of payment arrangement to recover the water arrears, noting that several attempts were made to engage with the tenants about a payment plan but without success. The Law

Under section 39(3) of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (“the Act”), a tenant is responsible for outgoings such as water charges in respect of the premises that are exclusively attributable to the tenant’s occupation of the premises or to the tenant’s use of the facilities.

Section 77 empowers the Tribunal to make orders for payment of arrears and to set conditions to assist compliance. It also gives the Tribunal discretion to make orders that balance the interests of both parties where there are outstanding obligations but the tenancy is ongoing.

Do the tenants owe water charges?

I am satisfied on the evidence that water charges of $1,132.09 are owing. The landlord has established this with clear documentary evidence. The tenants, by failing to attend the hearing or provide any contrary evidence, have not discharged their obligation to contest the claim.

Although the tenants did not attend, it is nevertheless fair and reasonable to provide them with an opportunity to repay the arrears gradually, so as to avoid immediate financial hardship and to promote the continuation of the tenancy. Ordering a payment plan gives the tenants a chance to comply with their obligations while ensuring that the landlord is repaid in full.

I am satisfied that the proposed arrangement of $30 per week is reasonable given the arrears owed and provides a clear pathway to repayment. However, it is necessary to include a condition that if the tenants fail to make a scheduled payment within two working days of the due date, the balance becomes immediately payable. This is an appropriate safeguard for the landlord, given the history of non-payment and the absence of engagement by the tenants.

The tenants are also cautioned that repeated failure to comply with this order, or a continued history of non-payment, could give the landlord grounds to apply to the Tribunal for termination of the tenancy. Filing Fee

As the landlord has been wholly successful in their application, section 102(4) of the Act requires the Tribunal to order the tenants to reimburse the landlord the filing fee. Suppression

Given that this matter involves ongoing tenancy obligations and financial difficulties, and because the Tribunal has found in favour of the landlord, I consider it appropriate in the circumstances to grant suppression of both parties’ names and identifying details under section 95A of the Act. Suppression promotes the fair administration of justice and avoids any disproportionate harm, particularly as the matter has been resolved by way of a repayment arrangement.

Claims and awards in Tenancy Tribunal application 5297720 — net $1,159.09 NZD. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Reason
Water rates as at 19/08/2025	$1,132.09	2. The landlord’s application concerns water rates arrears.
Filing fee reimbursement	$27.00	Filing fee reimbursement
Net award	$1,159.09
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord	$1,159.09

Order

The Tribunal orders suppression of the Tenants and Landlord’s names and identifying details.
[The tenant/s] owes [The landlord/s] $1,159.09 (“the debt”), calculated in the table below:

The tenants must pay the debt in order 2 above at the rate of $30.00 per week.
The first payment must be made on Thursday 28 August 2025 and payments must continue every Thursday thereafter until the debt is paid in full.
If the tenants fail to make any payment within 2 working days of the due date, the balance of the debt owing will be payable immediately and can be enforced through the District Court.

Reasons

A hearing was held today. The landlord attended, but the tenants did not appear. I am satisfied that the notice of hearing was properly served. It is therefore reasonable to proceed in the tenants’ absence.
The landlord’s application concerns water rates arrears. At the time of filing the application, the outstanding balance was $973.02. The amount owing today is $1,132.09. The landlord produced a tenant ledger and supporting Watercare invoices which I accept as reliable evidence of the amount owing.
The landlord confirmed that they are not seeking termination of the tenancy. Instead, they wished to secure some form of payment arrangement to recover the water arrears, noting that several attempts were made to engage with the tenants about a payment plan but without success. The Law
Under section 39(3) of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (“the Act”), a tenant is responsible for outgoings such as water charges in respect of the premises that are exclusively attributable to the tenant’s occupation of the premises or to the tenant’s use of the facilities.
Section 77 empowers the Tribunal to make orders for payment of arrears and to set conditions to assist compliance. It also gives the Tribunal discretion to make orders that balance the interests of both parties where there are outstanding obligations but the tenancy is ongoing.

Do the tenants owe water charges?

I am satisfied on the evidence that water charges of $1,132.09 are owing. The landlord has established this with clear documentary evidence. The tenants, by failing to attend the hearing or provide any contrary evidence, have not discharged their obligation to contest the claim.
Although the tenants did not attend, it is nevertheless fair and reasonable to provide them with an opportunity to repay the arrears gradually, so as to avoid immediate financial hardship and to promote the continuation of the tenancy. Ordering a payment plan gives the tenants a chance to comply with their obligations while ensuring that the landlord is repaid in full.
I am satisfied that the proposed arrangement of $30 per week is reasonable given the arrears owed and provides a clear pathway to repayment. However, it is necessary to include a condition that if the tenants fail to make a scheduled payment within two working days of the due date, the balance becomes immediately payable. This is an appropriate safeguard for the landlord, given the history of non-payment and the absence of engagement by the tenants.
The tenants are also cautioned that repeated failure to comply with this order, or a continued history of non-payment, could give the landlord grounds to apply to the Tribunal for termination of the tenancy. Filing Fee
As the landlord has been wholly successful in their application, section 102(4) of the Act requires the Tribunal to order the tenants to reimburse the landlord the filing fee. Suppression
Given that this matter involves ongoing tenancy obligations and financial difficulties, and because the Tribunal has found in favour of the landlord, I consider it appropriate in the circumstances to grant suppression of both parties’ names and identifying details under section 95A of the Act. Suppression promotes the fair administration of justice and avoids any disproportionate harm, particularly as the matter has been resolved by way of a repayment arrangement.

Tenancy Tribunal case 5297720 — Tenancy dispute

At a glance

Award balance

Tenancy Tribunal case 5297720 — Tenancy dispute

At a glance

Award balance

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

Do the tenants owe water charges?

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Frequently asked questions

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

Do the tenants owe water charges?

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Frequently asked questions