Published tribunal order
Tenancy Tribunal case 5394824 — Cleanliness
Decided 16 Mar 2026 · Published 16 Mar 2026 · Application 5394824
- Cleanliness
- Rent arrears
- Property damage
Party names are redacted in the official published order.
Order
- An application for suppression has been made in this case, and the Tribunal orders suppression of the landlord name and identifying details.
- Israel Harry Hufanga-Talakai and Pen Benji Ah Lam must pay [The landlord/s] $5,921.49 immediately, calculated as shown in table below. DescriptionLandlord Rent arrears (9 to 19 October 2025)$55.71 Previous order application 5319879 dated 08/10/2025$7,467.57 Cleaning$402.50 Carpet Cleaning$220.00 Lawns and Garden work$200.00 Rubbish removal$637.71 Key replacement$30.00 Filing fee reimbursement$28.00 Total award$9,041.49 Bond (already paid to landlord)$3,120.00 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord$5,921.49
- This order incorporates the Tribunal order made on 8 October 2025 under application 5319879.
Reasons
- A representative of the landlord attended the hearing. The tenants did not attend.
- The landlord has applied for rent arrears, compensation and reimbursement of the filing fee following the end of the tenancy. The landlord has already received the Bond from the Bond Centre.
How much is owed for rent?
- On 8 October 2025 the Tribunal made an order relating to this tenancy, for rent arrears to that date and compensation for a broken window. The previous order is incorporated into this order for enforcement purposes.
- The tenancy ended on 19 October 2025. The landlord provided rent records which prove the amount owing at the end of the tenancy.
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 did not leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy and did not remove all rubbish. The tenant did not return all of the keys.
- The landlord provided photographs and invoices in support of its claims. The claims for cleaning costs, carpet spot cleaning and rubbish removal are proved. I have awarded the amounts claimed.
- The tenant did not return one front door key. The landlord replaced all locks in the premises and claimed $600.89. The landlord said that it was prudent to replace all locks. The reasonable loss suffered because of a tenant’s failure to return one key, would have been to have another key cut. I award $30 for a replacement key.
- The landlord also claimed $450 for lawn and garden work. The photographs show that some lawn mowing was required at the front of the property. The other photographs show the lawns and garden in a reasonably tidy condition. I have awarded $200 for lawns and garden work.
- As the landlord was substantially successful, I have granted its request for suppression of its details and awarded reimbursement of the Tribunal application fee.