What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5350623 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 5350623?

Cleaning: $60.00 awarded to landlord; Door Stoppers: $45.00 awarded to landlord; Filing Fee: $28.00 awarded to landlord; GST As Per Handyman Invoice: $410.75 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $1,015.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $245.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $75.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $250.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $350.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $1,250.00 awarded to landlord; Rubbish Removal: $465.00 awarded to landlord; Smoke Alarms: $126.38 awarded to landlord; Water Charges To End Of Tenancy: $1,610.43 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5350623?

The primary dispute was Property damage. Related themes: Smoke alarms, Cleanliness.

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5350623?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/13273114-Tribunal_Order_Redacted.pdf.

What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5350623 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 5350623?

Cleaning: $60.00 awarded to landlord; Door Stoppers: $45.00 awarded to landlord; Filing Fee: $28.00 awarded to landlord; GST As Per Handyman Invoice: $410.75 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $1,015.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $245.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $75.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $250.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $350.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $1,250.00 awarded to landlord; Rubbish Removal: $465.00 awarded to landlord; Smoke Alarms: $126.38 awarded to landlord; Water Charges To End Of Tenancy: $1,610.43 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5350623?

The primary dispute was Property damage. Related themes: Smoke alarms, Cleanliness.

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5350623?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/13273114-Tribunal_Order_Redacted.pdf.

New Zealand Tenancy Tribunal Case 5350623 — Property damage

Reasons

Claims and awards in Tenancy Tribunal application 5350623. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Reason
Repairs – painting walls	$1,015.00	Repairs – painting walls
Door stoppers	$45.00	Door stoppers
Window repairs	$245.00	Window repairs
Cleaning to oven and rangehood	$60.00	Cleaning to oven and rangehood
Rubbish removal	$465.00	Rubbish removal
Repairs to blinds	$75.00	Repairs to blinds
Lock/key replacement	$250.00	Lock/key replacement
Repair holes in walls	$350.00	Repair holes in walls
GST as per handyman invoice	$410.75	GST as per handyman invoice
Filing fee reimbursement	$28.00	Filing fee reimbursement
Water charges to end of tenancy	$1,610.43	Water charges to end of tenancy
Insurance excess for kitchen fire	$1,250.00	Insurance excess for kitchen fire
Replace smoke alarm in hallway	$126.38	Replace smoke alarm in hallway

The landlord attended the hearing today.

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

The bond was not claimed, and the landlord advised that it had been refunded. The information available to the Tribunal indicates there is no remaining bond at the Bond Centre. Water Charges

The tenancy ended on 31 July 2026. The landlord provided a summary of invoices and the water invoices. The landlord claimed $1,700.43 for water. Based on my calculations, the amount owed for water is $1,610.43. I have deducted non-water related amounts listed in the tenancy invoices spreadsheet from the total sum due ($3,331.81 – ($345.00 + $126.38 + $1,250.00)). Cleaning, Rubbish Removal, Locks, Smoke Alarms, Garden

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.

The exit inspection report shows the interior of the premises essentially in a reasonably clean and tidy condition. The landlord claimed $485.00 plus GST for cleaning. I allow $60.00 for cleaning the oven and rangehood. While cleaning may have been necessary to bring the premises to a professional standard, that is not the same thing as the required standard of reasonably clean.

The tenant left rubbish behind, particularly outside along the side of the house sandwiched between the garage and the fence.

The tenant did not return the keys. The locks had to be changed to secure the premises.

The tenant removed a smoke alarm, which had to be replaced. This claim was supported by a report from All Clear and an invoice.

The landlord claimed $375.00 plus GST for tree-trimming and the removal of green waste. The garden looks reasonably tidy in the exit inspection photographs. I decline to award this cost. Damage

A landlord must prove that damage to the premises occurred during the tenancy and is more than fair wear and tear. If this is established, to avoid liability, the tenant must prove they did not carelessly or intentionally cause or permit the damage. Tenants are liable for the actions of people at the premises with their permission.

Where the damage is caused carelessly, and is covered by the landlord's insurance, the tenant's liability is limited to the lesser of the insurance excess or four weeks' rent. The weekly rent was $700.00.

Tenants are liable for the cost of repairing damage that is intentional. This applies to anything the tenant does and anything done by a person they are responsible for.

There was a fire in the kitchen of the premises on 15 January 2025. A pot had been left on the stove and caught fire. Insurers made a payment and deducted the insurance excess of $1,250.00. The damage is more than fair wear and tear, and the tenant has not disproved liability for the damage.

The walls in the bedrooms (especially bedroom 1) were scuffed and dented during the tenancy. I have discounted the amount claimed for painting by 30% to reflect betterment. The walls were at least 3 years old at the end of the tenancy.

There were several other holes in the walls visible in the exit photographs. I have awarded this repair cost ($350.00 plus GST).

There was a broken window in the exterior porch. I award the repair cost.

The kitchen blinds were twisted and had to be adjusted. I award $75.00 plus GST as claimed.

Some door stoppers were missing. I award the cost of replacements in the sum of $45.00 plus GST.

The landlord claimed $1,375.00 plus GST for replacement curtains and rails. It is not possible to identify damage to the curtains or tracks in the exit inspection photographs. The property manager has left the landlord’s employment, so there is no witness evidence about the condition of the premises at the end of the tenancy. I decline to award the cost of replacement curtains.

The landlord claimed $95.00 plus GST for repairs to kitchen cupboards. I cannot identify any damage to cupboards in the exit inspection report.

The landlord claimed various amounts relating to repairs to the fence. I cannot identify any damage to the fencing in the exit inspection report. Filing Fee and Suppression

The landlord’s application has been partly successful. I exercise my discretion to award the filing fee.

The landlord is granted name suppression as requested.

Claims and awards in Tenancy Tribunal application 5350623. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Reason
Repairs – painting walls	$1,015.00	Repairs – painting walls
Door stoppers	$45.00	Door stoppers
Window repairs	$245.00	Window repairs
Cleaning to oven and rangehood	$60.00	Cleaning to oven and rangehood
Rubbish removal	$465.00	Rubbish removal
Repairs to blinds	$75.00	Repairs to blinds
Lock/key replacement	$250.00	Lock/key replacement
Repair holes in walls	$350.00	Repair holes in walls
GST as per handyman invoice	$410.75	GST as per handyman invoice
Filing fee reimbursement	$28.00	Filing fee reimbursement
Water charges to end of tenancy	$1,610.43	Water charges to end of tenancy
Insurance excess for kitchen fire	$1,250.00	Insurance excess for kitchen fire
Replace smoke alarm in hallway	$126.38	Replace smoke alarm in hallway

Order

An application for suppression has been made in this case, and the Tribunal orders suppression of the landlord’s name and identifying details.
Briana Rogers and Sandi Mura must pay [The landlord/s] $5,493.06 immediately, calculated as shown in the table below.

Reasons

The landlord attended the hearing today.
The landlord has applied for outgoings, compensation, and reimbursement of the filing fee following the end of the tenancy.
The bond was not claimed, and the landlord advised that it had been refunded. The information available to the Tribunal indicates there is no remaining bond at the Bond Centre. Water Charges
The tenancy ended on 31 July 2026. The landlord provided a summary of invoices and the water invoices. The landlord claimed $1,700.43 for water. Based on my calculations, the amount owed for water is $1,610.43. I have deducted non-water related amounts listed in the tenancy invoices spreadsheet from the total sum due ($3,331.81 – ($345.00 + $126.38 + $1,250.00)). Cleaning, Rubbish Removal, Locks, Smoke Alarms, Garden
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.
The exit inspection report shows the interior of the premises essentially in a reasonably clean and tidy condition. The landlord claimed $485.00 plus GST for cleaning. I allow $60.00 for cleaning the oven and rangehood. While cleaning may have been necessary to bring the premises to a professional standard, that is not the same thing as the required standard of reasonably clean.
The tenant left rubbish behind, particularly outside along the side of the house sandwiched between the garage and the fence.
The tenant did not return the keys. The locks had to be changed to secure the premises.
The tenant removed a smoke alarm, which had to be replaced. This claim was supported by a report from All Clear and an invoice.
The landlord claimed $375.00 plus GST for tree-trimming and the removal of green waste. The garden looks reasonably tidy in the exit inspection photographs. I decline to award this cost. Damage
A landlord must prove that damage to the premises occurred during the tenancy and is more than fair wear and tear. If this is established, to avoid liability, the tenant must prove they did not carelessly or intentionally cause or permit the damage. Tenants are liable for the actions of people at the premises with their permission.
Where the damage is caused carelessly, and is covered by the landlord's insurance, the tenant's liability is limited to the lesser of the insurance excess or four weeks' rent. The weekly rent was $700.00.
Tenants are liable for the cost of repairing damage that is intentional. This applies to anything the tenant does and anything done by a person they are responsible for.
There was a fire in the kitchen of the premises on 15 January 2025. A pot had been left on the stove and caught fire. Insurers made a payment and deducted the insurance excess of $1,250.00. The damage is more than fair wear and tear, and the tenant has not disproved liability for the damage.
The walls in the bedrooms (especially bedroom 1) were scuffed and dented during the tenancy. I have discounted the amount claimed for painting by 30% to reflect betterment. The walls were at least 3 years old at the end of the tenancy.
There were several other holes in the walls visible in the exit photographs. I have awarded this repair cost ($350.00 plus GST).
There was a broken window in the exterior porch. I award the repair cost.
The kitchen blinds were twisted and had to be adjusted. I award $75.00 plus GST as claimed.
Some door stoppers were missing. I award the cost of replacements in the sum of $45.00 plus GST.
The landlord claimed $1,375.00 plus GST for replacement curtains and rails. It is not possible to identify damage to the curtains or tracks in the exit inspection photographs. The property manager has left the landlord’s employment, so there is no witness evidence about the condition of the premises at the end of the tenancy. I decline to award the cost of replacement curtains.
The landlord claimed $95.00 plus GST for repairs to kitchen cupboards. I cannot identify any damage to cupboards in the exit inspection report.
The landlord claimed various amounts relating to repairs to the fence. I cannot identify any damage to the fencing in the exit inspection report. Filing Fee and Suppression
The landlord’s application has been partly successful. I exercise my discretion to award the filing fee.
The landlord is granted name suppression as requested.

Tenancy Tribunal case 5350623 — Property damage

At a glance

Tenancy Tribunal case 5350623 — Property damage

At a glance

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

Topics & place

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Key findings

Frequently asked questions

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

Topics & place

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Key findings

Frequently asked questions