What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5343616 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 5343616?

Cleaning: $150.00 awarded to landlord; Cleaning: $500.00 awarded to landlord; Filing Fee: $28.00 awarded to landlord; Landfill Charges: $122.91 awarded to landlord; Loss Of Rent: $650.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $400.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $500.00 awarded to landlord; Rent Arrears: $5,150.00 awarded to landlord; Truck Hire: $390.00 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5343616?

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

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5343616?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/12923012-Tribunal_Order_Redacted.pdf.

What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5343616 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 5343616?

Cleaning: $150.00 awarded to landlord; Cleaning: $500.00 awarded to landlord; Filing Fee: $28.00 awarded to landlord; Landfill Charges: $122.91 awarded to landlord; Loss Of Rent: $650.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $400.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $500.00 awarded to landlord; Rent Arrears: $5,150.00 awarded to landlord; Truck Hire: $390.00 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5343616?

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

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5343616?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/12923012-Tribunal_Order_Redacted.pdf.

New Zealand Tenancy Tribunal Case 5343616 — Rent arrears

Claims and awards in Tenancy Tribunal application 5343616 — net $5,290.91 NZD. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Reason
Rent arrears to19/09/2025	$5,150.00	Rent arrears to19/09/2025
Truck hire	$390.00	Truck hire
Landfill charges	$122.91	Landfill charges
Wall damages	$400.00	Wall damages
Window latch and rail repairs	$500.00	Window latch and rail repairs
Cleaning	$500.00	Cleaning
Carpet cleaning	$150.00	Carpet cleaning
Loss of rent	$650.00	Loss of rent
Filing fee reimbursement	$28.00	Filing fee reimbursement
Net award	$5,290.91
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord	$5,290.91

Order

An application for suppression has been made in this case, and the Tribunal orders suppression of the Landlords’ names and identifying details.
Tania Moemoefano must pay [The landlord/s] $5,290.91 immediately, calculated as shown in the table below.

The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $2,600.00 ([Bond number suppressed]) to [The landlord/s] immediately.

Reasons

The hearing was held by video and teleconference on 17 December 2025. The landlords attended. The tenant did not attend. Multiple attempts were made to contact the tenant on the telephone number provided, however all calls went unanswered.
I am satisfied that notice of hearing was properly served on the tenant. In the absence of any explanation for the tenant’s non-attendance, I considered it reasonable to proceed with the hearing in the tenant’s absence. Background
The tenancy commenced on 24 February 2025 and ended on 19 September 2025. The rent was $650.00 per week and the bond paid was $2,600.00.
Following the end of the tenancy, the landlords filed an application seeking rent arrears and compensation for damage, cleaning, rubbish removal, and loss of rent. Landlords’ Claims
The landlords claimed rent arrears of $5,150.00. The landlords also sought compensation for costs incurred following the tenant vacating the property. These included truck hire for rubbish disposal of $390.00, transport and landfill charges of $122.91, repairs to a damaged stair handrail and window latch of $500.00, and painting of two rooms due to damaged walls and odour contamination of $400.00.
The landlords further sought compensation for cleaning, carpet cleaning using a hired Rug Doctor and cleaning chemicals, and loss of rent due to the property being unable to be re-let immediately after the tenancy ended.
The landlords referred to interest incurred on their bank account, impacts on their credit rating, and counselling costs arising from stress caused by the tenant’s lack of communication.
The landlords requested release of the bond, reimbursement of the filing fee, and name suppression. Relevant Law
Under section 40(1)(a) of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (“RTA”), a tenant must pay rent when it is due. Under section 40(2)(a), a tenant must not intentionally or carelessly damage the premises. Under section 40(2)(b), a tenant must leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy at the end of the tenancy and remove all rubbish.
Section 49B provides that a tenant is liable for careless or intentional damage to the premises, subject to statutory limits. A landlord is entitled to compensation for the reasonable costs of reinstatement.
Where a tenant’s breach prevents a landlord from re-letting the premises, compensation for loss of rent may be awarded, provided the landlord has acted reasonably and taken steps to mitigate loss.
The landlords bear the onus of proof and must establish claims on the balance of probabilities. Rent Arrears
The landlords produced a rent summary showing unpaid rent totalling $5,150.00 at the end of the tenancy. No evidence was provided by the tenant to challenge this figure. I am satisfied that the rent arrears are proven and award rent arrears of $5,150.00. Condition of the Property and Damage
The landlords provided photographic evidence showing the condition of the property at the end of the tenancy. The photographs show animal waste on carpeted areas, significant rubbish left throughout the property, including broken furniture, a bed, and large quantities of cigarette butts scattered inside and outside the premises.
The photographs also show damage to a window latch and stair handrail creating structural instability. The photographs further show stained and damaged walls and pervasive cigarette and vape odours throughout the property.
The evidence establishes that the damage exceeds fair wear and tear. I am satisfied that the tenant breached sections 40(2)(a) and 40(2)(b) of the RTA. Compensation for Repairs, Rubbish Removal and Painting
The landlords claim for truck hire of $390.00, transport and landfill charges of $122.91, repairs to the handrail and window latch of $500.00, and painting of two rooms of $400.00 are supported by photographic evidence and are reasonable remedial costs. These amounts are awarded, totalling $1,412.91. Cleaning and Carpet Cleaning
The landlords’ evidence establishes that the property was left in a very poor state, including animal waste on carpets, cigarette residue on surfaces, and strong odours throughout the dwelling. The landlords gave evidence that extensive cleaning was required, and that carpet cleaning equipment and chemicals were hired to remediate the carpeted areas.
I am satisfied that the tenant failed to leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy and that professional-level cleaning and carpet cleaning were reasonably required. Allowing for the scale of cleaning required, I award compensation of $500.00 for cleaning and $150.00 for carpet cleaning. Loss of Rent
The landlords stated that new tenants were due to move in from 20 September 2025 but the property could not be re-let due to the extent of rubbish, damage, and cleaning required. The landlord undertook cleaning, painting, and repairs over a period of approximately two weeks, and one of the landlords ultimately moved into the property to ensure mortgage payments could be met.
It is generally accepted that a landlord would need undertake some maintenance and preparation of a property between tenancies. This is a landlord obligation and not a cost a tenant would bear. In this instance however, given the work and repairs that had to be undertaken, I have allowed loss of rent of $650 (being 1 weeks rent). Claims Not Awarded
The Tribunal has no jurisdiction to award interest on bank accounts, compensation for damage to credit ratings, or compensation for stress or counselling costs. These aspects of the landlords’ claims are declined. Bond
The bond of $2,600.00 is to be released to the landlords and applied toward the sums awarded. Filing Fee and Suppression Order
As the landlords have been substantially successful, I consider reimbursement of the filing fee reasonable and grant suppression of the landlords’ names and identifying details.

Claims and awards in Tenancy Tribunal application 5343616 — net $5,290.91 NZD. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Reason
Rent arrears to19/09/2025	$5,150.00	Rent arrears to19/09/2025
Truck hire	$390.00	Truck hire
Landfill charges	$122.91	Landfill charges
Wall damages	$400.00	Wall damages
Window latch and rail repairs	$500.00	Window latch and rail repairs
Cleaning	$500.00	Cleaning
Carpet cleaning	$150.00	Carpet cleaning
Loss of rent	$650.00	Loss of rent
Filing fee reimbursement	$28.00	Filing fee reimbursement
Net award	$5,290.91
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord	$5,290.91

Order

An application for suppression has been made in this case, and the Tribunal orders suppression of the Landlords’ names and identifying details.
Tania Moemoefano must pay [The landlord/s] $5,290.91 immediately, calculated as shown in the table below.

The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $2,600.00 ([Bond number suppressed]) to [The landlord/s] immediately.

Reasons

The hearing was held by video and teleconference on 17 December 2025. The landlords attended. The tenant did not attend. Multiple attempts were made to contact the tenant on the telephone number provided, however all calls went unanswered.
I am satisfied that notice of hearing was properly served on the tenant. In the absence of any explanation for the tenant’s non-attendance, I considered it reasonable to proceed with the hearing in the tenant’s absence. Background
The tenancy commenced on 24 February 2025 and ended on 19 September 2025. The rent was $650.00 per week and the bond paid was $2,600.00.
Following the end of the tenancy, the landlords filed an application seeking rent arrears and compensation for damage, cleaning, rubbish removal, and loss of rent. Landlords’ Claims
The landlords claimed rent arrears of $5,150.00. The landlords also sought compensation for costs incurred following the tenant vacating the property. These included truck hire for rubbish disposal of $390.00, transport and landfill charges of $122.91, repairs to a damaged stair handrail and window latch of $500.00, and painting of two rooms due to damaged walls and odour contamination of $400.00.
The landlords further sought compensation for cleaning, carpet cleaning using a hired Rug Doctor and cleaning chemicals, and loss of rent due to the property being unable to be re-let immediately after the tenancy ended.
The landlords referred to interest incurred on their bank account, impacts on their credit rating, and counselling costs arising from stress caused by the tenant’s lack of communication.
The landlords requested release of the bond, reimbursement of the filing fee, and name suppression. Relevant Law
Under section 40(1)(a) of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (“RTA”), a tenant must pay rent when it is due. Under section 40(2)(a), a tenant must not intentionally or carelessly damage the premises. Under section 40(2)(b), a tenant must leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy at the end of the tenancy and remove all rubbish.
Section 49B provides that a tenant is liable for careless or intentional damage to the premises, subject to statutory limits. A landlord is entitled to compensation for the reasonable costs of reinstatement.
Where a tenant’s breach prevents a landlord from re-letting the premises, compensation for loss of rent may be awarded, provided the landlord has acted reasonably and taken steps to mitigate loss.
The landlords bear the onus of proof and must establish claims on the balance of probabilities. Rent Arrears
The landlords produced a rent summary showing unpaid rent totalling $5,150.00 at the end of the tenancy. No evidence was provided by the tenant to challenge this figure. I am satisfied that the rent arrears are proven and award rent arrears of $5,150.00. Condition of the Property and Damage
The landlords provided photographic evidence showing the condition of the property at the end of the tenancy. The photographs show animal waste on carpeted areas, significant rubbish left throughout the property, including broken furniture, a bed, and large quantities of cigarette butts scattered inside and outside the premises.
The photographs also show damage to a window latch and stair handrail creating structural instability. The photographs further show stained and damaged walls and pervasive cigarette and vape odours throughout the property.
The evidence establishes that the damage exceeds fair wear and tear. I am satisfied that the tenant breached sections 40(2)(a) and 40(2)(b) of the RTA. Compensation for Repairs, Rubbish Removal and Painting
The landlords claim for truck hire of $390.00, transport and landfill charges of $122.91, repairs to the handrail and window latch of $500.00, and painting of two rooms of $400.00 are supported by photographic evidence and are reasonable remedial costs. These amounts are awarded, totalling $1,412.91. Cleaning and Carpet Cleaning
The landlords’ evidence establishes that the property was left in a very poor state, including animal waste on carpets, cigarette residue on surfaces, and strong odours throughout the dwelling. The landlords gave evidence that extensive cleaning was required, and that carpet cleaning equipment and chemicals were hired to remediate the carpeted areas.
I am satisfied that the tenant failed to leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy and that professional-level cleaning and carpet cleaning were reasonably required. Allowing for the scale of cleaning required, I award compensation of $500.00 for cleaning and $150.00 for carpet cleaning. Loss of Rent
The landlords stated that new tenants were due to move in from 20 September 2025 but the property could not be re-let due to the extent of rubbish, damage, and cleaning required. The landlord undertook cleaning, painting, and repairs over a period of approximately two weeks, and one of the landlords ultimately moved into the property to ensure mortgage payments could be met.
It is generally accepted that a landlord would need undertake some maintenance and preparation of a property between tenancies. This is a landlord obligation and not a cost a tenant would bear. In this instance however, given the work and repairs that had to be undertaken, I have allowed loss of rent of $650 (being 1 weeks rent). Claims Not Awarded
The Tribunal has no jurisdiction to award interest on bank accounts, compensation for damage to credit ratings, or compensation for stress or counselling costs. These aspects of the landlords’ claims are declined. Bond
The bond of $2,600.00 is to be released to the landlords and applied toward the sums awarded. Filing Fee and Suppression Order
As the landlords have been substantially successful, I consider reimbursement of the filing fee reasonable and grant suppression of the landlords’ names and identifying details.

Tenancy Tribunal case 5343616 — Rent arrears

At a glance

Tenancy Tribunal case 5343616 — Rent arrears

At a glance

Award balance

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

Topics & place

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Key findings

Frequently asked questions

Award balance

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

Topics & place

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Key findings

Frequently asked questions