How much money was awarded in case 5426436?

Blinds: $195.00 awarded to landlord; Filing Fee: $28.00 awarded to landlord; Power Charges & Unlock Fees: $1,941.69 awarded to landlord; Previous Order Application 5394006 D…: $6,146.57 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $125.24 awarded to landlord; Rubbish Removal: $615.25 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5426436?

The primary dispute was Property damage.

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5426436?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/13444914-Tribunal_Order_Redacted.pdf.

How much money was awarded in case 5426436?

Blinds: $195.00 awarded to landlord; Filing Fee: $28.00 awarded to landlord; Power Charges & Unlock Fees: $1,941.69 awarded to landlord; Previous Order Application 5394006 D…: $6,146.57 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $125.24 awarded to landlord; Rubbish Removal: $615.25 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5426436?

The primary dispute was Property damage.

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5426436?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/13444914-Tribunal_Order_Redacted.pdf.

New Zealand Tenancy Tribunal Case 5426436 — Property damage

Q: What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5426436 about?

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

Order

Claims and awards in Tenancy Tribunal application 5426436 — net $7,011.75 NZD. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Reason
Previous order application 5394006 dated 15/01/2026	$6,146.57	Previous order application 5394006 dated 15/01/2026
Power charges & unlock fees	$1,941.69	Power charges & unlock fees
Glazier repair	$125.24	Glazier repair
Cleaning, rubbish removal & replace microwave	$615.25	Cleaning, rubbish removal & replace microwave
Blinds	$195.00	Blinds
Filing fee reimbursement	$28.00	Filing fee reimbursement
Net award	$7,011.75
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord	$7,011.75

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

Virtina Debra Moses Autagavaia must pay [The landlord/s] $7,011.75 immediately, calculated as shown in the table below.

The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $2,040.00 ([Bond number suppressed]) to [The landlord/s] immediately.

Reasons

The landlord attended the hearing by video conference. The tenant did not attend. I was satisfied that proper service of the hearing notice had been effected and considered it reasonable to proceed in the tenant’s absence.

The landlord has applied for rent arrears, compensation, refund of the bond, and reimbursement of the filing fee following the end of the tenancy.

How much is owed for rent and power?

The tenancy ended on 17 January 2026 pursuant to Tenancy Tribunal order 5394006. In that order, the Tribunal awarded the landlord $6,146.57 for rent arrears to the end of the tenancy and reimbursement of the filing fee. I incorporate that order into this decision.

In addition, the landlord has claimed power charges. These are properly recoverable as outgoings associated with the tenancy and are supported by invoices. I am satisfied the power charges form part of the tenant’s liability arising from the tenancy and may appropriately be included alongside the rent arrears previously awarded.

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 landlord’s evidence, supported by the final inspection report, photographs, and invoices, establishes that a significant amount of rubbish was left at the property, including multiple garbage bags, personal belongings in cupboards, drawers, and storage areas, food left in the fridge and freezer, and washing left in the washing machine.

Cleaning and rubbish removal costs were reasonably incurred as a direct result of the tenant’s failure to comply with their obligations.

The amounts claimed for cleaning and rubbish removal are supported by invoices and are reasonable. The amounts ordered are proved.

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.

The following damage was caused during the tenancy: damage to blinds requiring repair or replacement, damage requiring glazier repair, and damage to the microwave requiring replacement. The landlord’s evidence, including invoices and photographic material, establishes that this damage occurred during the tenancy and is more than fair wear and tear. The microwave was left in a heavily soiled and unusable condition, beyond what would be expected from ordinary use. In the absence of any evidence from the tenant, liability is not displaced.

The amounts claimed for glazier repair ($125.24), blinds ($195.00), and replacement of the microwave are supported by documentary evidence and are reasonable. The amounts ordered are proved. Unlocking fees

The landlord also claims unlocking fees incurred during the tenancy when access had to be arranged after the tenant locked herself out of the premises. These costs arise from services reasonably required due to the tenant’s actions during the tenancy.

I am satisfied, based on the invoices provided, that these costs were incurred and are reasonable. The tenant has not disputed these charges and is liable for them. The amounts ordered are proved. Conclusion

I have taken into account betterment and depreciation. The landlord should be returned to the position they would have been in had the tenant not breached their obligations, and should not be better or worse off. In calculating depreciation, I have taken into account the age and condition of the items at the start of the tenancy and their likely useful lifespan. I am satisfied that the amounts claimed appropriately reflect this. Filing fee and suppression order

As the landlord has wholly succeeded with the claim, I must reimburse the filing fee and grant suppression of the landlord’s name.

Claims and awards in Tenancy Tribunal application 5426436 — net $7,011.75 NZD. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Reason
Previous order application 5394006 dated 15/01/2026	$6,146.57	Previous order application 5394006 dated 15/01/2026
Power charges & unlock fees	$1,941.69	Power charges & unlock fees
Glazier repair	$125.24	Glazier repair
Cleaning, rubbish removal & replace microwave	$615.25	Cleaning, rubbish removal & replace microwave
Blinds	$195.00	Blinds
Filing fee reimbursement	$28.00	Filing fee reimbursement
Net award	$7,011.75
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord	$7,011.75

Order

An application for suppression has been made in this case, and the Tribunal orders suppression of the Landlord’s name and identifying details.
Virtina Debra Moses Autagavaia must pay [The landlord/s] $7,011.75 immediately, calculated as shown in the table below.
The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $2,040.00 ([Bond number suppressed]) to [The landlord/s] immediately.

Reasons

The landlord attended the hearing by video conference. The tenant did not attend. I was satisfied that proper service of the hearing notice had been effected and considered it reasonable to proceed in the tenant’s absence.
The landlord has applied for rent arrears, compensation, refund of the bond, and reimbursement of the filing fee following the end of the tenancy.

How much is owed for rent and power?

The tenancy ended on 17 January 2026 pursuant to Tenancy Tribunal order 5394006. In that order, the Tribunal awarded the landlord $6,146.57 for rent arrears to the end of the tenancy and reimbursement of the filing fee. I incorporate that order into this decision.
In addition, the landlord has claimed power charges. These are properly recoverable as outgoings associated with the tenancy and are supported by invoices. I am satisfied the power charges form part of the tenant’s liability arising from the tenancy and may appropriately be included alongside the rent arrears previously awarded.

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 landlord’s evidence, supported by the final inspection report, photographs, and invoices, establishes that a significant amount of rubbish was left at the property, including multiple garbage bags, personal belongings in cupboards, drawers, and storage areas, food left in the fridge and freezer, and washing left in the washing machine.
Cleaning and rubbish removal costs were reasonably incurred as a direct result of the tenant’s failure to comply with their obligations.
The amounts claimed for cleaning and rubbish removal are supported by invoices and are reasonable. The amounts ordered are proved.

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.
The following damage was caused during the tenancy: damage to blinds requiring repair or replacement, damage requiring glazier repair, and damage to the microwave requiring replacement. The landlord’s evidence, including invoices and photographic material, establishes that this damage occurred during the tenancy and is more than fair wear and tear. The microwave was left in a heavily soiled and unusable condition, beyond what would be expected from ordinary use. In the absence of any evidence from the tenant, liability is not displaced.
The amounts claimed for glazier repair ($125.24), blinds ($195.00), and replacement of the microwave are supported by documentary evidence and are reasonable. The amounts ordered are proved. Unlocking fees
The landlord also claims unlocking fees incurred during the tenancy when access had to be arranged after the tenant locked herself out of the premises. These costs arise from services reasonably required due to the tenant’s actions during the tenancy.
I am satisfied, based on the invoices provided, that these costs were incurred and are reasonable. The tenant has not disputed these charges and is liable for them. The amounts ordered are proved. Conclusion
I have taken into account betterment and depreciation. The landlord should be returned to the position they would have been in had the tenant not breached their obligations, and should not be better or worse off. In calculating depreciation, I have taken into account the age and condition of the items at the start of the tenancy and their likely useful lifespan. I am satisfied that the amounts claimed appropriately reflect this. Filing fee and suppression order
As the landlord has wholly succeeded with the claim, I must reimburse the filing fee and grant suppression of the landlord’s name.

Tenancy Tribunal case 5426436 — Property damage

At a glance

Award balance

Tenancy Tribunal case 5426436 — Property damage

At a glance

Award balance

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

How much is owed for rent and power?

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

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

How much is owed for rent and power?

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