What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5305202 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 5305202?

Verified claim lines are listed on this page.

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5305202?

The dispute type was not classified.

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5305202?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/12287155-Tribunal_Order_Redacted.pdf.

What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5305202 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 5305202?

Verified claim lines are listed on this page.

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5305202?

The dispute type was not classified.

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5305202?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/12287155-Tribunal_Order_Redacted.pdf.

New Zealand Tenancy Tribunal Case 5305202 — Tenancy dispute

Tenantcheck Insights

Reasons

Both parties attended the hearing.

The tenant has applied for reduction of the fixed-term tenancy due to end on 29 March 2026. The tenants currently remain residing in the property.

The tenant has done so on the basis that she and her family are going through a financially difficult time. The tenant’s rent is funded by her parents however, due to health issues with her father, is it only her mother that can contribute to the tenant’s rent. The tenant detailed how she and her sister are studying, and only one can obtain StudyLink support. As a result of this, and increasing living costs, they are struggling to meet basic needs, and that is putting significant emotional and financial pressure on them.

The landlord submits in response that there have been no unforeseen changes in the tenant’s circumstances and that the tenant has chosen not to avail themselves of options to alleviate financial pressure.

The Tribunal may reduce a fixed term tenancy where: a. there has been an unforeseen change in the applicant’s circumstances; and b. there would be severe hardship to the applicant if the term is not reduced; and c. the applicant’s hardship would be greater than the hardship to the other party if the term is reduced. See section 66(1) Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (RTA).

I am not satisfied that there has been unforeseen change in the tenant's circumstances that reaches the threshold required by section 66 of the RTA. Although I accept that the tenant and her family are going through financial hardship now, I do not consider that this arises from an unforeseen change. When the fixed term agreement was made the tenants were studying and the StudyLink eligibility was presumably the same. I do not think the tenant’s father’s health issues are sufficient to be considered an unforeseen change in the tenant’s circumstances (as required by the RTA).

The application for an order to reduce the fixed term tenancy is dismissed.

My decision is a legal one, however as discussed at the hearing, this does not prevent the parties from working together to find an outcome that suits both parties and I strongly encourage the parties to do so.

The tenant has sought name suppression. Although not successful in this application, I consider that there is no public interest in having her name published and that tenants should be able to seek the assistance of the Tribunal in these circumstances without fear of publication. The landlord also sought name suppression and as they were wholly successful, this is also granted. R Harvey-Lane 19 August 2025

Reasons

Both parties attended the hearing.

The tenant has applied for reduction of the fixed-term tenancy due to end on 29 March 2026. The tenants currently remain residing in the property.

The application for an order to reduce the fixed term tenancy is dismissed.

Tenancy Tribunal case 5305202 — Tenancy dispute

At a glance

Claims & awards

Tenancy Tribunal case 5305202 — Tenancy dispute

At a glance

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

Topics & place

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Frequently asked questions

Order

Reasons

Topics & place

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Frequently asked questions