What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5317681 about?

The tribunal order states: [The tenant/s] tenant/s] must pay Kāinga Ora–Homes And Communities $1,620.99

How much money was awarded in case 5317681?

Cleaning: $496.88 awarded to landlord; Rent Arrears: $389.99 awarded to landlord; Rubbish Removal: $134.12 awarded to landlord; Rubbish Removal: $600.00 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5317681?

The primary dispute was Cleanliness. Related themes: Rent arrears.

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5317681?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/12794319-Tenancy_Tribunal_Order.pdf.

What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5317681 about?

The tribunal order states: [The tenant/s] tenant/s] must pay Kāinga Ora–Homes And Communities $1,620.99

How much money was awarded in case 5317681?

Cleaning: $496.88 awarded to landlord; Rent Arrears: $389.99 awarded to landlord; Rubbish Removal: $134.12 awarded to landlord; Rubbish Removal: $600.00 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5317681?

The primary dispute was Cleanliness. Related themes: Rent arrears.

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5317681?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/12794319-Tenancy_Tribunal_Order.pdf.

2 Matilda Street, Seaview, Timaru 7910 Tenancy Tribunal Case 5317681 — Cleanliness

Tenantcheck Insights

Reasons

Claims and awards in Tenancy Tribunal application 5317681 — net $1,620.99 NZD. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Reason
Rent arrears (to 4 June 2025	$389.99	Rent arrears (to 4 June 2025
Cleaning	$496.88	Cleaning
Rubbish removal: Exterior	$134.12	Rubbish removal: Exterior
Rubbish removal: Interior	$600.00	Rubbish removal: Interior
Net award	$1,620.99
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord	$1,620.99

On 1 August 2025 the landlord filed an application with the Tribunal seeking an order for rent arrears and compensation following the end of the tenancy.

The hearing proceeded by way of video conference. Ms Eder, Senior Tribunal Adviser, appeared for the landlord. The tenant did not appear. An unsuccessful attempt was made to join the tenant to the hearing by telephone. The Tribunal was satisfied the tenant was properly served with the notice of hearing and the case proceeded in their absence.

At the hearing the landlord confirmed their claims are as follows: a. Rent arrears - $389.99 b. Compensation for cleaning (two-bedroom house) - $496.88 c. Compensation for rubbish removal: exterior - $164.94 d. Compensation for rubbish removal: interior amended from $989.94 to $600.00 The landlord withdrew their claims for compensation for: e. Cleaning kitchen cupboards - $111.32 f. Cleaning the range hood - $56.72 Relevant legal considerations

The relevant law that applies is found in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (the “Act”).

With any claim before the Tenancy Tribunal, the Tribunal applies the usual civil law standards and expectations.

That includes a requirement that the party bringing the claim (the applicant), establish their claims “on the balance of probabilities.” The balance of probabilities means more likely than unlikely, or in mathematical terms, has a fractionally more than 50% likelihood. The Tribunal does not need to be certain or very sure about any claim, only that what is claimed is likely.

This obligation carried by the applicant is referred to as the “burden of proof.” Independent witnesses, corroborating documents and photographs are an important part of discharging this burden.

As noted by the District Court in Kaipo v Clarke & McCarthy (DC) TT233/02, in practical terms this means that: ... [L]ike anyone who brings an application before a Tribunal or Court, it is incumbent upon the applicant to provide the evidence necessary to prove the case. If the applicant fails to do that, then their application will be dismissed whether it has merit or not because it is up to the applicant to provide the necessary evidence. It is not up to the other parties, and it is certainly not up to the Tribunal to extract evidence.

How much is owed for rent?

The tenancy commenced on 8 April 2022 and was periodic.

The tenant ended on 4 June 2025. The landlord provided rent records which prove the amount owing at the end of the tenancy totalled $389.99. The amount claimed is ordered.

Did the tenant comply with their 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) of the Act. Cleaning costs

The landlord seeks $496.88 after paying a contractor to clean the property to a reasonably clean and tidy standard at the end of the tenancy. An invoice for the amount claimed was provided.

The landlord provided pre-tenancy inspection report with photographs which show the property was provided in a good, clean and tidy condition at the commencement of the tenancy, free from rubbish.

The landlord provided an exit report with photographs which show the property was not returned to the landlord in a reasonably clean and tidy condition. The Tribunal notes that the following: a. The kitchen had not been cleaned, and the cupboards had not been wiped out. b. The floors had not been mopped or vacuumed. c. The walls and doors were marked. d. The bathroom had not been cleaned and the cupboards had not been wiped out. The Tribunal notes that the report records that the condition of the property, with the exception of the laundry, had dropped from good to average.

The Act does not require the premises to be returned in immaculate condition – only in a reasonably clean and tidy state. There is no scientific way to determine what is reasonably clean and tidy. What is required is for the Tribunal to evaluate the evidence available – particularly photographs presented, and then consider whether the premises would be reasonably clean. 1

After hearing from the landlord and considering all of the evidence, the Tribunal is satisfied the tenant failed to leave the property in a reasonably clean and tidy condition at the end of the tenancy and the amount claimed is reasonable and awarded. Rubbish

The landlord seeks rubbish removal costs of $164.12 after paying a contractor to remove one cubic meter of rubbish/furniture from the exterior of the property, and, 1 Bevan Realty Limited – As Agent for Xian Jian Chew v Kristian Pilgrim [2025] NZTT 5153354 $600.00 after paying a contractor to remove six cubic meters of rubbish/furniture from the interior of the property.

The landlord drew the Tribunal’s attention to the following items that were left behind at the end of the tenancy: a. Two queens size mattress and bed bases + bedding. b. Two-seater couch, dining room chair, side table and lamp. c. Two vacuum cleaners + attachments, broom and dustpan and shovel. d. Sun umbrella. e. Personal care items. f. The Council provided rubbish and recycling bins were full. g. Wooden bench seat, sawhorse, wooden cable reel and chest of draws. h. Various items of bric-a-brac in the garden shed.

The landlord provided a document, signed by the tenant on 23 May 2025, giving the landlord permission to dispose of any items remaining at the end of the tenancy and accepting liability for any costs incurred in disposing of the items.

Having heard from the landlord and reviewing all of the evidence the Tribunal is satisfied the tenant did not remove all rubbish and personal belongings at the end of the tenancy and the amount claimed is ordered. Name suppression and costs

Despite being wholly successful the landlord did not seek name suppression or costs.

Reasons

Claims and awards in Tenancy Tribunal application 5317681 — net $1,620.99 NZD. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Reason
Rent arrears (to 4 June 2025	$389.99	Rent arrears (to 4 June 2025
Cleaning	$496.88	Cleaning
Rubbish removal: Exterior	$134.12	Rubbish removal: Exterior
Rubbish removal: Interior	$600.00	Rubbish removal: Interior
Net award	$1,620.99
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord	$1,620.99

On 1 August 2025 the landlord filed an application with the Tribunal seeking an order for rent arrears and compensation following the end of the tenancy.

The relevant law that applies is found in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (the “Act”).

With any claim before the Tenancy Tribunal, the Tribunal applies the usual civil law standards and expectations.

This obligation carried by the applicant is referred to as the “burden of proof.” Independent witnesses, corroborating documents and photographs are an important part of discharging this burden.

How much is owed for rent?

The tenancy commenced on 8 April 2022 and was periodic.

The tenant ended on 4 June 2025. The landlord provided rent records which prove the amount owing at the end of the tenancy totalled $389.99. The amount claimed is ordered.

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

The landlord seeks $496.88 after paying a contractor to clean the property to a reasonably clean and tidy standard at the end of the tenancy. An invoice for the amount claimed was provided.

The landlord provided pre-tenancy inspection report with photographs which show the property was provided in a good, clean and tidy condition at the commencement of the tenancy, free from rubbish.

Despite being wholly successful the landlord did not seek name suppression or costs.

Tenancy Tribunal case 5317681 — Cleanliness at 2 Matilda Street, Seaview, Timaru 7910

At a glance

Tenancy Tribunal case 5317681 — Cleanliness at 2 Matilda Street, Seaview, Timaru 7910

At a glance

Award balance

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

How much is owed for rent?

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

Topics & place

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Key findings

Property management

Frequently asked questions

Reduce avoidable tribunal risk with proper tenant checks.

Award balance

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

How much is owed for rent?

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

Topics & place

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Key findings

Property management

Frequently asked questions

Reduce avoidable tribunal risk with proper tenant checks.