Tenantcheck Insights · Case study
Tenancy Tribunal case 5433590 — Rent arrears at 48 Mabel Street, Levin, Levin 5510
Published 1 May 2026 · Application 5433590
- Rent arrears
- Cleanliness
At a glance
Key facts from the published tribunal order.
Outcome
Landlord favoured
From published order
Location
Levin
Tribunal region
Adjudicator
M Brennan
Dispute themes
Award balance
Gross awards, any bond applied per the order, and the remaining balance payable.
- Gross award
- $6,084.27
- Bond payment as ordered
- −$2,160.00
- Total balance for Tenant to pay Landlord
- $3,924.27
Claims & awards
What this tenancy cost at tribunal — claim, category, amount, and party awarded, with reconciled net total.
| Claim | Landlord | Tenant | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent arrears | $3,278.57 | Rent arrears | |
| Carpet Cleaning | $460.00 | 11. Prior to the carpet cleaning, a deep flea treatment of the carpet and premises was carried out. | |
| Cleaning | $1,236.25 | 11. Prior to the carpet cleaning, a deep flea treatment of the carpet and premises was carried out. | |
| Rubbish removal | $667.45 | Rubbish removal | |
| Pest control | $414.00 | Pest control | |
| Filing fee reimbursement | $28.00 | Filing fee reimbursement | |
| Net award | $3,924.27 | ||
| Total payable by Tenant to Landlord | $3,924.27 |
Claims and awards for application 5433590 — net $3,924.27 NZD. Verify on MoJ.
Rent arrears
- Amount
- $3,278.57
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Rent arrears
Carpet Cleaning
- Amount
- $460.00
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- 11. Prior to the carpet cleaning, a deep flea treatment of the carpet and premises was carried out.
Cleaning
- Amount
- $1,236.25
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- 11. Prior to the carpet cleaning, a deep flea treatment of the carpet and premises was carried out.
Rubbish removal
- Amount
- $667.45
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Rubbish removal
Pest control
- Amount
- $414.00
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Pest control
Filing fee reimbursement
- Amount
- $28.00
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Filing fee reimbursement
Net award
Landlord $3,924.27
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord
Landlord $3,924.27
Claim types — money lines allowed on this order
Order
- Angela Ankins must pay Team Group Rentals Limited As The Agent For Tapiwa Zisengwe $3,924.27 immediately, calculated as shown in table below.
- The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $2,160.00 (6450569-012) to Team Group Rentals Limited As The Agent For Tapiwa Zisengwe immediately.
Reasons
- Both parties attended the hearing, conducted via video conference
- The landlord has applied for rent arrears, compensation, refund of the bond, and reimbursement of the filing fee following the end of the tenancy.
- It was clear that the tenant was under financial and other pressures at the final stage of this tenancy. The claims in this application reflect that. To her credit she has engaged today and taken ownership of these. She had some valid concerns regarding the costs claimed as she had not been able to review them in detail before today. The video facility enabled the screen sharing of the evidence provided. The hearing was an opportunity for these to be better heard and considered.
- The tenant raised payment terms and she was encouraged to make a proposal to the landlord in the first instance if possible (and quickly) to avoid any formal debt collection commencement.
How much is owed for rent?
- The tenancy ended on 9 December 2025. The landlord provided rent records which prove the amount owing at the end of the tenancy is as ordered.
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 from the outside.
- The house was almost emptied at exit but there was little sign of subsequent cleaning. There were no areas left really dirty, but the invoice reflected a need for a full house clean as evidenced in the exit photos. The invoiced tasks align with the evidence and the invoiced amount of $1,236.25 is awarded.
- The rubbish situation was worse after unknown persons went through it after departure but before disposal. The cost of $667.45 was reviewed in detail at the hearing as the tenant was present during this exercise. Having considered the evidence and submissions I consider the tenant is liable for the invoiced cost.
- The carpet required commercial cleaning at a cost of $460.00. Photos from entry and exit were compared and I find the landlord has established it as more than likely the cleaning required and a tenant liability. The tenant said she had been told not to clean the carpets but I do not have any evidence of this but, as I observed at the hearing, the extent of cleaning required as indicated in the photos suggest any DIY approach would have struggled to match the result obtained professionally.
- Prior to the carpet cleaning, a deep flea treatment of the carpet and premises was carried out. The tenant said fleas were present at commencement but never raised with the landlord. There is no supporting evidence of this and given the pets (dog and cats) throughout the tenancy and the detailed description of the tasks required in the invoice, I find the cost of $414.00 is proven as one the tenant should shoulder. It is awarded in full.
- The amounts ordered are proved. Filing fee
- Because Team Group Rentals Limited As The Agent For Tapiwa Zisengwe has wholly succeeded with the claim I must reimburse the filing fee.
Topics & place
Topics are dispute themes across the order (not the same as claim-type money lines).
Residential Tenancies Act sections
s40(1)
Key findings
- Dispute theme: rent arrears
- Dispute theme: cleaning
Property management
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this Tenancy Tribunal case.
What was the outcome of Tenancy Tribunal case 5433590?
The tribunal order states: Angela Ankins must pay Team Group Rentals Limited As The Agent For Tapiwa
How much money was awarded in case 5433590?
Cleaning: $460.00 awarded to landlord; Cleaning: $1,236.25 awarded to landlord; Filing Fee: $28.00 awarded to landlord; Pest Control: $414.00 awarded to landlord; Rent Arrears: $3,278.57 awarded to landlord; Rubbish Removal: $667.45 awarded to landlord
What type of tenancy dispute was case 5433590?
The primary dispute was Rent arrears. Related themes: Cleanliness.
Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5433590?
The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/13531789-Tenancy_Tribunal_Order.pdf.