What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5377404 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 5377404?

Admin Fee: $211.50 awarded to landlord; Cleaning: $299.00 awarded to landlord; Water Rates: $49.62 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5377404?

The primary dispute was Cleanliness.

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5377404?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/13465858-Tribunal_Order_Redacted.pdf.

What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5377404 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 5377404?

Admin Fee: $211.50 awarded to landlord; Cleaning: $299.00 awarded to landlord; Water Rates: $49.62 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5377404?

The primary dispute was Cleanliness.

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5377404?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/13465858-Tribunal_Order_Redacted.pdf.

Unit/Flat 1305, 106 Vincent St, City Center, Auckland 1010 Tenancy Tribunal Case 5377404 — Cleanliness

Claims and awards in Tenancy Tribunal application 5377404 — net $560.12 NZD. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Reason
Cleaning	$299.00	Cleaning
Water rates	$49.62	Water rates
Admin Fee	$211.50	Admin Fee
Net award	$560.12
Bond	$1,880.00
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord	$560.12

Order

An application for suppression has been made in this case, and the Tribunal orders suppression of the Tenant name and identifying details.
[The tenant/s] to pay Prestige Rental Management Limited $560.12 from the bond, for cleaning, water bill and administration fee, as calculated and shown in table below.

The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $1,880.00 ([Bond number suppressed]) immediately apportioned as follows: Prestige Rental Management Limited: $560.12 [The tenant/s]: $1,319.88
I am dismissing the landlord’s claim for damage to the wall.

Reasons

Both parties attended the hearing.
The landlord has applied for compensation, refund of the bond, and reimbursement of the filing fee following the end of the tenancy.
The tenant is claiming for the refund of her bond, filing fee and to dispute the landlord’s charges for cleaning, administration fee and damage to the wall.

How much is owed for water rates?

The tenancy ended on 24 October 2025. The landlord provided a water rates invoice which prove the amount of $49.62 owing at the end of the tenancy.
The tenant does not dispute that she owes the water bill.
I am satisfied that the landlord has proven their claim for the water bill.

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) Residential Tenancies Act 1986. The tenant is required to replace worn out smoke alarm batteries during the tenancy. See section 40(1) (ca) Residential Tenancies Act 1986. The tenant must also replace standard light bulbs.
The tenant did not leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy.
The landlord provided the Tribunal with an exit inspection report and photos and an invoice for the cost of the cleaning.
The inspection report and photos show that the tenant did not leave the place reasonable clean and tidy, in particular the range hood and oven. The tenant says she would have sent her cleaner to clean the property but was not given the opportunity to do so.
The landlord said the new tenant was moving in the next day and so they had to attend to the cleaning straight away. The tenant strongly disputes the claim that the property was not reasonable clean and tidy. However, having seen the photos and report I am satisfied that the landlord has proven their claim for the cleaning costs.
The cleaning costs are $299.00.

Is the tenant responsible for the damage to the premises?

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. See sections 40(2)(a), 41 and 49B RTA.
Where the damage is careless, and occurs after 27 August 2019, section 49B RTA applies. If the landlord becomes aware of the damage after 27 August, the damage is presumed to have occurred after that date unless the tenant proves otherwise.
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 (or four weeks' market rent in the case of a tenant paying income-related rent). See section 49B(3)(a) RTA.
Where the damage is careless and is not covered by the landlord's insurance, the tenant's liability is limited to four weeks' rent (or market rent). See section 49B(3)(b) RTA. Where insurance money is irrecoverable because of the tenant's conduct, the property is treated as if it is not insured against the damage. See section 49B(3A) (a) RTA.
Tenants are liable for the cost of repairing damage that is intentional or which results from any activity at the premises that is an imprisonable offence. This applies to anything the tenant does and anything done by a person they are responsible for. See section 49B (1) RTA.
Damage is intentional where a person intends to cause damage and takes the necessary steps to achieve that purpose. Damage is also intentional where a person does something, or allows a situation to continue, knowing that damage is a certainty. See Guo v Korck [2019] NZHC 1541.
The following damage was caused during the tenancy: -Minor wall damage in the lounge area.
The landlord provided a single photo of damage he said was caused to the wall in the apartment. The tenant strongly denies that she is responsible for any damage.
The exit inspection report and photo do not clearly show the damage to the wall. Furthermore, while the pre let inspection report does not mention damage, the photos are not conclusive that there was or was not damage in that particular area.
I am not satisfied that the landlord has proven their claim for the damage to the wall. I am dismissing the landlord claim for damage to the wall. Administration Fee:
This was a 12-month fixed term tenancy that was due to terminate on 25 February 2026.
The tenant sought to leave the tenancy early as she had 4 months break between the end of the university year and the start of the following university year. She is an overseas student and so returned to her home country for the four-month break.
The tenant was able to introduce a new prospective tenant to the landlord who would take over the tenancy. The landlord had to carry out administrative duties to do checks on the new tenant and prepare the necessary documentation.
The landlord sought to recover administration costs of $211.50 from the tenant. The tenant accepts that the landlord incurred additional work as a result of the early termination of her fixed term and the administration fee costs. Bond/Filing Fee/Suppression:
The bond is to be split according to the order as set out in paragraph 3 above. The Bond Centre is to refund $560.12 to the landlord and $1319.88 to the tenant immediately.
As both parties have been partially successful with their claims, I am not awarding either party their filing fee.
The tenant applied for suppression of her name and identifying details and as she has been successful, I am granting suppression.

Claims and awards in Tenancy Tribunal application 5377404 — net $560.12 NZD. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Reason
Cleaning	$299.00	Cleaning
Water rates	$49.62	Water rates
Admin Fee	$211.50	Admin Fee
Net award	$560.12
Bond	$1,880.00
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord	$560.12

Order

An application for suppression has been made in this case, and the Tribunal orders suppression of the Tenant name and identifying details.
[The tenant/s] to pay Prestige Rental Management Limited $560.12 from the bond, for cleaning, water bill and administration fee, as calculated and shown in table below.

The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $1,880.00 ([Bond number suppressed]) immediately apportioned as follows: Prestige Rental Management Limited: $560.12 [The tenant/s]: $1,319.88
I am dismissing the landlord’s claim for damage to the wall.

Reasons

Both parties attended the hearing.
The landlord has applied for compensation, refund of the bond, and reimbursement of the filing fee following the end of the tenancy.
The tenant is claiming for the refund of her bond, filing fee and to dispute the landlord’s charges for cleaning, administration fee and damage to the wall.

How much is owed for water rates?

The tenancy ended on 24 October 2025. The landlord provided a water rates invoice which prove the amount of $49.62 owing at the end of the tenancy.
The tenant does not dispute that she owes the water bill.
I am satisfied that the landlord has proven their claim for the water bill.

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) Residential Tenancies Act 1986. The tenant is required to replace worn out smoke alarm batteries during the tenancy. See section 40(1) (ca) Residential Tenancies Act 1986. The tenant must also replace standard light bulbs.
The tenant did not leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy.
The landlord provided the Tribunal with an exit inspection report and photos and an invoice for the cost of the cleaning.
The inspection report and photos show that the tenant did not leave the place reasonable clean and tidy, in particular the range hood and oven. The tenant says she would have sent her cleaner to clean the property but was not given the opportunity to do so.
The landlord said the new tenant was moving in the next day and so they had to attend to the cleaning straight away. The tenant strongly disputes the claim that the property was not reasonable clean and tidy. However, having seen the photos and report I am satisfied that the landlord has proven their claim for the cleaning costs.
The cleaning costs are $299.00.

Is the tenant responsible for the damage to the premises?

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. See sections 40(2)(a), 41 and 49B RTA.
Where the damage is careless, and occurs after 27 August 2019, section 49B RTA applies. If the landlord becomes aware of the damage after 27 August, the damage is presumed to have occurred after that date unless the tenant proves otherwise.
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 (or four weeks' market rent in the case of a tenant paying income-related rent). See section 49B(3)(a) RTA.
Where the damage is careless and is not covered by the landlord's insurance, the tenant's liability is limited to four weeks' rent (or market rent). See section 49B(3)(b) RTA. Where insurance money is irrecoverable because of the tenant's conduct, the property is treated as if it is not insured against the damage. See section 49B(3A) (a) RTA.
Tenants are liable for the cost of repairing damage that is intentional or which results from any activity at the premises that is an imprisonable offence. This applies to anything the tenant does and anything done by a person they are responsible for. See section 49B (1) RTA.
Damage is intentional where a person intends to cause damage and takes the necessary steps to achieve that purpose. Damage is also intentional where a person does something, or allows a situation to continue, knowing that damage is a certainty. See Guo v Korck [2019] NZHC 1541.
The following damage was caused during the tenancy: -Minor wall damage in the lounge area.
The landlord provided a single photo of damage he said was caused to the wall in the apartment. The tenant strongly denies that she is responsible for any damage.
The exit inspection report and photo do not clearly show the damage to the wall. Furthermore, while the pre let inspection report does not mention damage, the photos are not conclusive that there was or was not damage in that particular area.
I am not satisfied that the landlord has proven their claim for the damage to the wall. I am dismissing the landlord claim for damage to the wall. Administration Fee:
This was a 12-month fixed term tenancy that was due to terminate on 25 February 2026.
The tenant sought to leave the tenancy early as she had 4 months break between the end of the university year and the start of the following university year. She is an overseas student and so returned to her home country for the four-month break.
The tenant was able to introduce a new prospective tenant to the landlord who would take over the tenancy. The landlord had to carry out administrative duties to do checks on the new tenant and prepare the necessary documentation.
The landlord sought to recover administration costs of $211.50 from the tenant. The tenant accepts that the landlord incurred additional work as a result of the early termination of her fixed term and the administration fee costs. Bond/Filing Fee/Suppression:
The bond is to be split according to the order as set out in paragraph 3 above. The Bond Centre is to refund $560.12 to the landlord and $1319.88 to the tenant immediately.
As both parties have been partially successful with their claims, I am not awarding either party their filing fee.
The tenant applied for suppression of her name and identifying details and as she has been successful, I am granting suppression.

Tenancy Tribunal case 5377404 — Cleanliness at Unit/Flat 1305, 106 Vincent St, City Center, Auckland 1010

At a glance

Tenancy Tribunal case 5377404 — Cleanliness at Unit/Flat 1305, 106 Vincent St, City Center, Auckland 1010

At a glance

Award balance

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

How much is owed for water rates?

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

Is the tenant responsible for the damage to the premises?

Topics & place

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Key findings

Frequently asked questions

Award balance

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

How much is owed for water rates?

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

Is the tenant responsible for the damage to the premises?

Topics & place

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Key findings

Frequently asked questions