What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5421062 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 5421062?

Filing Fee: $28.00 awarded to landlord; Rent Arrears: $6,632.86 awarded to landlord; Water Rates: $371.59 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5421062?

The primary dispute was Rent arrears.

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5421062?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/13452632-Tribunal_Order_Redacted.pdf.

What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5421062 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 5421062?

Filing Fee: $28.00 awarded to landlord; Rent Arrears: $6,632.86 awarded to landlord; Water Rates: $371.59 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5421062?

The primary dispute was Rent arrears.

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5421062?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/13452632-Tribunal_Order_Redacted.pdf.

New Zealand Tenancy Tribunal Case 5421062 — Rent arrears

Reasons

Claims and awards in Tenancy Tribunal application 5421062 — net $7,032.45 NZD. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Reason
Rent arrears to 18/02/2026	$6,632.86	Rent arrears to 18/02/2026
Water rates	$371.59	Water rates
Filing fee reimbursement	$28.00	Filing fee reimbursement
Net award	$7,032.45
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord	$7,032.45

The landlord attended the hearing by video conference and the tenant attended by teleconference.

The landlord has applied for rent arrears, water rates, and reimbursement of the filing fee following the end of the tenancy.

How much is owed for rent?

The tenancy commenced on 21 February 2025 and was for a fixed term ending on 20 February 2026. The rent was $680.00 per week.

The landlord submits that although the tenant vacated the premises in December 2025, the tenancy was not relet until 18 February 2026. The landlord seeks rent arrears of $6,632.86 for the period following the tenant’s early departure.

In the case of a fixed-term tenancy, the tenant remains liable for rent until the end of the fixed term unless the tenancy is lawfully terminated earlier or the premises are relet. A tenant who abandons or otherwise ends a fixed-term tenancy early remains liable for rent until the tenancy ends or a new tenant is found.

I accept the landlord’s evidence that the premises were not relet until 18 February 2026. The landlord has provided rent records which establish the amount of rent owing during this period. I am satisfied that rent arrears of $6,632.86 are proved.

The tenant explained that he vacated the premises early due to financial hardship. While I acknowledge the tenant’s circumstances, financial hardship does not relieve a tenant from their contractual obligations under a fixed-term tenancy.

The tenant also referred to expenses he incurred during the tenancy, including payment for a pipe for plumbing work. I explained to the tenant that any such claims must be brought by way of a formal application through Tenancy Services. If successful, any award may be set off against the debt. I am unable to consider those matters in the absence of a properly filed application.

Are water charges payable?

The landlord has claimed $371.59 for water rates. The landlord provided invoices supporting this claim. I am satisfied that these charges are properly payable by the tenant and that the amount claimed is proved. Filing fee and suppression

As the landlord has been substantially successful, I must order reimbursement of the filing fee pursuant to section 102 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (“RTA”) and grant suppression of the landlord’s name and identifying details pursuant to section 95A of the RTA.

Given the circumstances, including the tenant’s financial position and the possibility of further proceedings, I consider it appropriate to also grant suppression of both the tenant’s name. Conclusion

The landlord’s claims for rent arrears and water rates are established. The tenant remains liable for rent under the fixed-term tenancy until the premises were relet. The tenant’s explanations do not displace that liability. The amounts claimed are proved and are properly recoverable.

Claims and awards in Tenancy Tribunal application 5421062 — net $7,032.45 NZD. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Reason
Rent arrears to 18/02/2026	$6,632.86	Rent arrears to 18/02/2026
Water rates	$371.59	Water rates
Filing fee reimbursement	$28.00	Filing fee reimbursement
Net award	$7,032.45
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord	$7,032.45

Order

An application for suppression has been made in this case, and the Tribunal orders suppression of the Tenant and Landlord’s names and identifying details.
[The tenant/s] must pay [The landlord/s] $7,032.45 immediately, calculated as shown in the table below.

Reasons

The landlord attended the hearing by video conference and the tenant attended by teleconference.
The landlord has applied for rent arrears, water rates, and reimbursement of the filing fee following the end of the tenancy.

How much is owed for rent?

The tenancy commenced on 21 February 2025 and was for a fixed term ending on 20 February 2026. The rent was $680.00 per week.
The landlord submits that although the tenant vacated the premises in December 2025, the tenancy was not relet until 18 February 2026. The landlord seeks rent arrears of $6,632.86 for the period following the tenant’s early departure.
In the case of a fixed-term tenancy, the tenant remains liable for rent until the end of the fixed term unless the tenancy is lawfully terminated earlier or the premises are relet. A tenant who abandons or otherwise ends a fixed-term tenancy early remains liable for rent until the tenancy ends or a new tenant is found.
I accept the landlord’s evidence that the premises were not relet until 18 February 2026. The landlord has provided rent records which establish the amount of rent owing during this period. I am satisfied that rent arrears of $6,632.86 are proved.
The tenant explained that he vacated the premises early due to financial hardship. While I acknowledge the tenant’s circumstances, financial hardship does not relieve a tenant from their contractual obligations under a fixed-term tenancy.
The tenant also referred to expenses he incurred during the tenancy, including payment for a pipe for plumbing work. I explained to the tenant that any such claims must be brought by way of a formal application through Tenancy Services. If successful, any award may be set off against the debt. I am unable to consider those matters in the absence of a properly filed application.

Are water charges payable?

The landlord has claimed $371.59 for water rates. The landlord provided invoices supporting this claim. I am satisfied that these charges are properly payable by the tenant and that the amount claimed is proved. Filing fee and suppression
As the landlord has been substantially successful, I must order reimbursement of the filing fee pursuant to section 102 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (“RTA”) and grant suppression of the landlord’s name and identifying details pursuant to section 95A of the RTA.
Given the circumstances, including the tenant’s financial position and the possibility of further proceedings, I consider it appropriate to also grant suppression of both the tenant’s name. Conclusion
The landlord’s claims for rent arrears and water rates are established. The tenant remains liable for rent under the fixed-term tenancy until the premises were relet. The tenant’s explanations do not displace that liability. The amounts claimed are proved and are properly recoverable.

Tenancy Tribunal case 5421062 — Rent arrears

At a glance

Award balance

Tenancy Tribunal case 5421062 — Rent arrears

At a glance

Award balance

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

How much is owed for rent?

Are water charges payable?

Topics & place

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Key findings

Frequently asked questions

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

How much is owed for rent?

Are water charges payable?

Topics & place

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Key findings

Frequently asked questions