What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5309245 about?

The tribunal order states: The Tribunal Orders suppression of the tenants’ names and identifying

How much money was awarded in case 5309245?

Cleaning: $230.00 awarded to landlord; Filing Fee: $28.00 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5309245?

The primary dispute was Cleanliness.

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5309245?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/12451225-Tribunal_Order_Redacted.pdf.

What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5309245 about?

The tribunal order states: The Tribunal Orders suppression of the tenants’ names and identifying

How much money was awarded in case 5309245?

Cleaning: $230.00 awarded to landlord; Filing Fee: $28.00 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5309245?

The primary dispute was Cleanliness.

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5309245?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/12451225-Tribunal_Order_Redacted.pdf.

17C Bolton Avenue, Spreydon, Christchurch 8024 Tenancy Tribunal Case 5309245 — Cleanliness

Reasons

Claims and awards in Tenancy Tribunal application 5309245. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Tenant	Reason
Cleaning	$230.00		Cleaning
Filing fee reimbursement	$28.00		Filing fee reimbursement

The hearing was held by teleconference. The landlord attended. [Tenant 1] attended, representing herself and [tenant 2].

The landlord has applied for compensation, refund of the bond, and reimbursement of the filing fee following the end of the tenancy. Introduction

The tenancy has seen multiple changes of tenant since the agreement was signed in January 2017.

There is no dispute that the tenants named in this Order were the tenants at the end of the tenancy.

[Tenant 1] gave 21 days’ notice of termination on 2 April 2025 on behalf of herself and [tenant 2], terminating the tenancy on 23 April.

The other tenants initially wanted to continue with the tenancy and the property manager approached the termination essentially as a variation of the agreement, with [tenant 1] and [tenant 2] being released from an ongoing tenancy.

[Tenant 3] and [tenant 4] then gave notice of their intention to vacate. Twenty one days from their notice was 5 May 2025.

[Tenant 1] and [tenant 2] vacated before 23 April 2025. [Tenant 3] and [tenant 4] vacated on 5 May 2025.

The landlord had cleaners clean the premises on 9 May and claims from all the tenants the cleaning cost of $716.00.

[Tenant 1] objects to that claim in the basis that the tenancy she was party to, ended on 23 April, at which time her and [tenant 2]’s obligations had been met.

What are the tenancies?

A periodic joint tenancy may be ended by notice from any one of the joint tenants.

There are therefore two tenancies to consider. The first is the tenancy for which all the tenants were jointly and severally liable. That tenancy was ended on 23 April by the termination notice given by [tenant 1].

That is the agreement for which the bond is held.

The second is the subsequent and separate agreement between the landlord and [tenant 3] and [tenant 4] jointly, which was ended on 5 May 2025 after they gave notice. No bond is held for that tenancy.

The question the Tribunal has to decide is whether the evidence proves that the landlord has been caused loss by the tenants breaching their obligation to leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy when the first tenancy ended on 23 April.

Did the tenants leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy?

The property manager recommended to the owner that given the length of the tenancy and the many changes of occupancy, claims should not be brought for wear and tear/ damage to the premises.

It does however say that the cleaning costs should be paid.

The cleaning invoice provided by the landlord does not identify the cleaning work done or itemise what part of the invoice relates to particular cleaning work.

Having considered in detail the photographic evidence from the end of the second tenancy, the only cleaning work I can safely infer was present at the end of the first tenancy is the need for cleaning of glass shower doors, accumulated debris in drains and accumulated grime in drawers and the laundry. I consider it unlikely that condition could have arisen between 23 April and 5 May.

The Tribunal can only assess what reasonable compensation would be for the landlord having to pay to have that work done. I estimate 4 hours x $50 per hour plus GST.

Because the landlord has had some claims upheld I reimburse the filing fee.

Claims and awards in Tenancy Tribunal application 5309245. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Tenant	Reason
Cleaning	$230.00		Cleaning
Filing fee reimbursement	$28.00		Filing fee reimbursement

Order

The Tribunal Orders suppression of the tenants’ names and identifying details. 2.
The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of ( ) immediately apportioned as follows: : :

Reasons

The hearing was held by teleconference. The landlord attended. [Tenant 1] attended, representing herself and [tenant 2].
The landlord has applied for compensation, refund of the bond, and reimbursement of the filing fee following the end of the tenancy. Introduction
The tenancy has seen multiple changes of tenant since the agreement was signed in January 2017.
There is no dispute that the tenants named in this Order were the tenants at the end of the tenancy.
[Tenant 1] gave 21 days’ notice of termination on 2 April 2025 on behalf of herself and [tenant 2], terminating the tenancy on 23 April.
The other tenants initially wanted to continue with the tenancy and the property manager approached the termination essentially as a variation of the agreement, with [tenant 1] and [tenant 2] being released from an ongoing tenancy.
[Tenant 3] and [tenant 4] then gave notice of their intention to vacate. Twenty one days from their notice was 5 May 2025.
[Tenant 1] and [tenant 2] vacated before 23 April 2025. [Tenant 3] and [tenant 4] vacated on 5 May 2025.
The landlord had cleaners clean the premises on 9 May and claims from all the tenants the cleaning cost of $716.00.
[Tenant 1] objects to that claim in the basis that the tenancy she was party to, ended on 23 April, at which time her and [tenant 2]’s obligations had been met.

What are the tenancies?

A periodic joint tenancy may be ended by notice from any one of the joint tenants.
There are therefore two tenancies to consider. The first is the tenancy for which all the tenants were jointly and severally liable. That tenancy was ended on 23 April by the termination notice given by [tenant 1].
That is the agreement for which the bond is held.
The second is the subsequent and separate agreement between the landlord and [tenant 3] and [tenant 4] jointly, which was ended on 5 May 2025 after they gave notice. No bond is held for that tenancy.
The question the Tribunal has to decide is whether the evidence proves that the landlord has been caused loss by the tenants breaching their obligation to leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy when the first tenancy ended on 23 April.

Did the tenants leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy?

The property manager recommended to the owner that given the length of the tenancy and the many changes of occupancy, claims should not be brought for wear and tear/ damage to the premises.
It does however say that the cleaning costs should be paid.
The cleaning invoice provided by the landlord does not identify the cleaning work done or itemise what part of the invoice relates to particular cleaning work.
Having considered in detail the photographic evidence from the end of the second tenancy, the only cleaning work I can safely infer was present at the end of the first tenancy is the need for cleaning of glass shower doors, accumulated debris in drains and accumulated grime in drawers and the laundry. I consider it unlikely that condition could have arisen between 23 April and 5 May.
The Tribunal can only assess what reasonable compensation would be for the landlord having to pay to have that work done. I estimate 4 hours x $50 per hour plus GST.
Because the landlord has had some claims upheld I reimburse the filing fee.

Tenancy Tribunal case 5309245 — Cleanliness at 17C Bolton Avenue, Spreydon, Christchurch 8024

At a glance

Tenancy Tribunal case 5309245 — Cleanliness at 17C Bolton Avenue, Spreydon, Christchurch 8024

At a glance

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

What are the tenancies?

Did the tenants leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy?

Topics & place

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Key findings

Frequently asked questions

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

What are the tenancies?

Did the tenants leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy?

Topics & place

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Key findings

Frequently asked questions