How much money was awarded in case 5421111?

The reconciled net award was $2,600.00.

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5421111?

The dispute type was not classified.

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5421111?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/13248718-Tribunal_Order_Redacted.pdf.

How much money was awarded in case 5421111?

The reconciled net award was $2,600.00.

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5421111?

The dispute type was not classified.

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5421111?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/13248718-Tribunal_Order_Redacted.pdf.

New Zealand Tenancy Tribunal Case 5421111 — Tenancy dispute

Q: What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5421111 about?

The tribunal order states: An application for suppression has been made in this case, and the Tribunal

Order

An application for suppression has been made in this case, and the Tribunal orders suppression of the parties’ names and identifying details.

The term of the fixed-term tenancy of [The tenant/s] at [Tenancy address suppressed] is reduced and now ended at 5pm on 30 December 2025.

[The tenant/s] must pay [The landlord/s] $2,600.00 from the bond being compensation for the early termination.

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

Reasons

Both parties attended the hearing.

The tenant has applied for reduction of the fixed-term tenancy due to end in December 2026

The Tribunal may reduce a fixed term tenancy where: a. there has been an unforeseen change in the applicant’s circumstances; and b. there would be severe hardship to the applicant if the term is not reduced; and c. the applicant’s hardship would be greater than the hardship to the other party if the term is reduced. See section 66(1) Residential Tenancies Act 1986.

There has been an unforeseen change in the tenant's circumstances in that he experienced the sudden and unforeseen death of a sibling in December 2025. His family is located in another part of the country. He immediately relocated to support family and his own grieving process.

The tenant would suffer severe hardship if the term of the tenancy were not reduced. He would be required to either pay two accommodation costs (which would exceed his weekly income). Or, he would have to give up the full time work he has in his current location, move away from his wider family and relocate his immediate family.

The landlord would suffer hardship if the term is reduced. She has a mortgage to pay on the property. The landlord has attempted to re-let the premises but has not been successful, even at a reduced rental. However, the advertisement lists the property as 3 bedroom when it is, in fact, 2 bedroom. She is also based in another part of the country and has not travelled for viewings or been prepared to appoint an agent to assist her. While recognising the landlord is also experiencing some personal issues, renting premises for income is a business and the landlord should treat it as such. If she cannot manage the property management from a distance, she should appoint a property manager.

I find the tenant’s hardship greater than the landlord’s hardship.

Where the Tribunal reduces a fixed-term tenancy, it may order the tenant to pay the landlord reasonable compensation for any resulting loss. See section 66(2) Residential Tenancies Act 1986.

I award compensation of $2,600 to the landlord, which equates to 4 weeks rent in lien of notice. In my view, a 4-week notice is reasonable for the time of year the tenant moved, and is week more than would have been required under a periodic tenancy. The tenant had paid rent to 30 December 2025 and gave notice of the change in circumstances and desire to move on 27, 28 and 30 December 2025. The landlord replied on 31 December 2025, acknowledging the tenant’s situation and advising that she would take steps to re-let the property. She indicated that she expected compensation until the property was re-tenanted. I find that it is more likely than not that the premises could have been rented before now, if prudently advertised and managed. I find that an award of $2,600 is reasonable compensation in the circumstances.

As both parties were partially successful, I have not awarded reimbursement of either filing fee. Having regard to the relative degrees of success, and the background circumstances of both parties, I find that there is no public interest in their names being published and award suppression of both parties’ details.

Order

An application for suppression has been made in this case, and the Tribunal orders suppression of the parties’ names and identifying details.
The term of the fixed-term tenancy of [The tenant/s] at [Tenancy address suppressed] is reduced and now ended at 5pm on 30 December 2025.
[The tenant/s] must pay [The landlord/s] $2,600.00 from the bond being compensation for the early termination.
The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $2,600.00 ([Bond number suppressed]) to [The landlord/s] immediately.

Reasons

Both parties attended the hearing.
The tenant has applied for reduction of the fixed-term tenancy due to end in December 2026
The Tribunal may reduce a fixed term tenancy where: a. there has been an unforeseen change in the applicant’s circumstances; and b. there would be severe hardship to the applicant if the term is not reduced; and c. the applicant’s hardship would be greater than the hardship to the other party if the term is reduced. See section 66(1) Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
There has been an unforeseen change in the tenant's circumstances in that he experienced the sudden and unforeseen death of a sibling in December 2025. His family is located in another part of the country. He immediately relocated to support family and his own grieving process.
The tenant would suffer severe hardship if the term of the tenancy were not reduced. He would be required to either pay two accommodation costs (which would exceed his weekly income). Or, he would have to give up the full time work he has in his current location, move away from his wider family and relocate his immediate family.
The landlord would suffer hardship if the term is reduced. She has a mortgage to pay on the property. The landlord has attempted to re-let the premises but has not been successful, even at a reduced rental. However, the advertisement lists the property as 3 bedroom when it is, in fact, 2 bedroom. She is also based in another part of the country and has not travelled for viewings or been prepared to appoint an agent to assist her. While recognising the landlord is also experiencing some personal issues, renting premises for income is a business and the landlord should treat it as such. If she cannot manage the property management from a distance, she should appoint a property manager.
I find the tenant’s hardship greater than the landlord’s hardship.
Where the Tribunal reduces a fixed-term tenancy, it may order the tenant to pay the landlord reasonable compensation for any resulting loss. See section 66(2) Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
I award compensation of $2,600 to the landlord, which equates to 4 weeks rent in lien of notice. In my view, a 4-week notice is reasonable for the time of year the tenant moved, and is week more than would have been required under a periodic tenancy. The tenant had paid rent to 30 December 2025 and gave notice of the change in circumstances and desire to move on 27, 28 and 30 December 2025. The landlord replied on 31 December 2025, acknowledging the tenant’s situation and advising that she would take steps to re-let the property. She indicated that she expected compensation until the property was re-tenanted. I find that it is more likely than not that the premises could have been rented before now, if prudently advertised and managed. I find that an award of $2,600 is reasonable compensation in the circumstances.
As both parties were partially successful, I have not awarded reimbursement of either filing fee. Having regard to the relative degrees of success, and the background circumstances of both parties, I find that there is no public interest in their names being published and award suppression of both parties’ details.

Tenancy Tribunal case 5421111 — Tenancy dispute

At a glance

Award balance

Tenancy Tribunal case 5421111 — Tenancy dispute

At a glance

Award balance

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Frequently asked questions

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Frequently asked questions