How much money was awarded in case 5457154?

Filing Fee: $28.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $356.50 awarded to landlord; Rent Arrears: $9,564.29 awarded to landlord; Water Rates: $285.94 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5457154?

The primary dispute was Rent arrears. Related themes: Property damage.

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5457154?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/13715926-Tribunal_Order_Redacted.pdf.

How much money was awarded in case 5457154?

Filing Fee: $28.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $356.50 awarded to landlord; Rent Arrears: $9,564.29 awarded to landlord; Water Rates: $285.94 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5457154?

The primary dispute was Rent arrears. Related themes: Property damage.

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5457154?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/13715926-Tribunal_Order_Redacted.pdf.

New Zealand Tenancy Tribunal Case 5457154 — Rent arrears

Q: What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5457154 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 5457154 — net $7,134.73 NZD. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Reason
Rent arrears to 13/10/2025	$9,564.29	Rent arrears to 13/10/2025
Water rates to end of tenancy	$285.94	Water rates to end of tenancy
Lock/key replacement	$356.50	Lock/key replacement
Filing fee reimbursement	$28.00	Filing fee reimbursement
Net award	$7,134.73
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord	$7,134.73

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

The claims for cleaning and lawn repairs are dismissed.

The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $3,100.00 (BN-17580883) to [The landlord/s] immediately.

Matalena Tevaga must pay [The landlord/s] $7,134.73 immediately, calculated as shown in table below. DescriptionLandlord Rent arrears to 13/10/2025$9,564.29 Water rates to end of tenancy$285.94 Lock/key replacement$356.50 Filing fee reimbursement$28.00 Total award$10,234.73 Minus Bond$3,100.00 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord$7,134.73

Reasons

Only the applicant landlord attended the hearing.

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

How much is owed for rent and water rates?

The tenancy ended on 13 October 2025. The landlord provided rent records and water rates invoices which prove the amount owing at the end of the tenancy as recorded in the table above.

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 landlord claimed that the tenant did not leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy but did not provide evidence of the condition of the property at the end of the tenancy, therefore there was insufficient evidence to prove this claim on the balance of probabilities.

The tenant did not return the keys. The landlord provided evidence of the cost of remedying this by way of an invoice from Stone Locksmith.

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.

Where the damage is caused carelessly, and is covered by the landlord's insurance, the tenant's liability is limited to the lesser of the insurance excess or four weeks' rent (or four weeks' market rent in the case of a tenant paying income-related rent). See section 49B(3)(a) RTA.

Where the damage is careless and is not covered by the landlord's insurance, the tenant's liability is limited to four weeks' rent (or market rent). See section 49B(3)(b) RTA. Where insurance money is irrecoverable because of the tenant's conduct, the property is treated as if it is not insured against the damage. See section 49B(3A)(a) RTA.

Tenants are liable for the cost of repairing damage that is intentional or which results from any activity at the premises that is an imprisonable offence. This applies to anything the tenant does and anything done by a person they are responsible for. See section 49B(1) RTA.

The landlord claimed the following damage was caused during the tenancy: Damage to the grass. The landlord provided a photograph taken at the beginning of the tenancy and a photograph taken in August 2025 before this tenancy ended. There was no evidence of the condition of the lawn at the end of the tenancy or corroboration of the actual cost to remedy. The only invoice provided was dated March 2026 and referred to different tenants therefore I am not satisfied that the claim is proved on the balance of probabilities.

Should the Tribunal order exemplary damages for abandonment?

The landlord claims the tenant abandoned the premises and seeks exemplary damages.

A tenancy is abandoned where the tenant leaves the premises without reasonable excuse and fails to notify the landlord, not intending to return or to meet their obligations.

A tenant commits an unlawful act if they abandon the premises when the rent is in arrears. Exemplary damages may be awarded up to a maximum of $1,500.00. See section 61(5) and Schedule 1A Residential Tenancies Act 1986.

The tenant notified the landlord on 18 July 2025 that they wished to end the tenancy. This was 88 days prior to the end of the fixed term and within the effective period referred to in section 60A of the RTA. The parties entered into communication about early termination but did not reach agreement. The tenant left the premises.

Having considered the evidence I find that although the tenant left the premises while the rent was in arrears the tenant did notify the landlord that they did not wish to continue with the tenancy within the effective period for ending a fixed term tenancy. The fixed term tenancy ended on 13 October 2025 and the Tribunal has ordered rent arrears to that date.

Therefore, as notice to end the tenancy was given the Tribunal finds on the evidence of this case that the claim for exemplary damages is not proved on the balance of probabilities. Filing fee/suppression

Because the landlord has substantially succeeded with the claim I have reimbursed the filing fee and suppressed the landlord details in the order as applied for. See sections 102(4) and 95A(1) Residential Tenancies Act 1986.

Claims and awards in Tenancy Tribunal application 5457154 — net $7,134.73 NZD. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Reason
Rent arrears to 13/10/2025	$9,564.29	Rent arrears to 13/10/2025
Water rates to end of tenancy	$285.94	Water rates to end of tenancy
Lock/key replacement	$356.50	Lock/key replacement
Filing fee reimbursement	$28.00	Filing fee reimbursement
Net award	$7,134.73
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord	$7,134.73

Order

An application for suppression has been made in this case, and the Tribunal orders suppression of the landlord’s name and identifying details.
The claims for cleaning and lawn repairs are dismissed.
The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $3,100.00 (BN-17580883) to [The landlord/s] immediately.
Matalena Tevaga must pay [The landlord/s] $7,134.73 immediately, calculated as shown in table below. DescriptionLandlord Rent arrears to 13/10/2025$9,564.29 Water rates to end of tenancy$285.94 Lock/key replacement$356.50 Filing fee reimbursement$28.00 Total award$10,234.73 Minus Bond$3,100.00 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord$7,134.73

Reasons

Only the applicant landlord attended the hearing.
The landlord has applied for rent arrears, water arrears, compensation, exemplary damages for abandonment, refund of the bond, and reimbursement of the filing fee following the end of the tenancy.

How much is owed for rent and water rates?

The tenancy ended on 13 October 2025. The landlord provided rent records and water rates invoices which prove the amount owing at the end of the tenancy as recorded in the table above.

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 landlord claimed that the tenant did not leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy but did not provide evidence of the condition of the property at the end of the tenancy, therefore there was insufficient evidence to prove this claim on the balance of probabilities.
The tenant did not return the keys. The landlord provided evidence of the cost of remedying this by way of an invoice from Stone Locksmith.

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.
Where the damage is caused carelessly, and is covered by the landlord's insurance, the tenant's liability is limited to the lesser of the insurance excess or four weeks' rent (or four weeks' market rent in the case of a tenant paying income-related rent). See section 49B(3)(a) RTA.
Where the damage is careless and is not covered by the landlord's insurance, the tenant's liability is limited to four weeks' rent (or market rent). See section 49B(3)(b) RTA. Where insurance money is irrecoverable because of the tenant's conduct, the property is treated as if it is not insured against the damage. See section 49B(3A)(a) RTA.
Tenants are liable for the cost of repairing damage that is intentional or which results from any activity at the premises that is an imprisonable offence. This applies to anything the tenant does and anything done by a person they are responsible for. See section 49B(1) RTA.
The landlord claimed the following damage was caused during the tenancy: Damage to the grass. The landlord provided a photograph taken at the beginning of the tenancy and a photograph taken in August 2025 before this tenancy ended. There was no evidence of the condition of the lawn at the end of the tenancy or corroboration of the actual cost to remedy. The only invoice provided was dated March 2026 and referred to different tenants therefore I am not satisfied that the claim is proved on the balance of probabilities.

Should the Tribunal order exemplary damages for abandonment?

The landlord claims the tenant abandoned the premises and seeks exemplary damages.
A tenancy is abandoned where the tenant leaves the premises without reasonable excuse and fails to notify the landlord, not intending to return or to meet their obligations.
A tenant commits an unlawful act if they abandon the premises when the rent is in arrears. Exemplary damages may be awarded up to a maximum of $1,500.00. See section 61(5) and Schedule 1A Residential Tenancies Act 1986.
The tenant notified the landlord on 18 July 2025 that they wished to end the tenancy. This was 88 days prior to the end of the fixed term and within the effective period referred to in section 60A of the RTA. The parties entered into communication about early termination but did not reach agreement. The tenant left the premises.
Having considered the evidence I find that although the tenant left the premises while the rent was in arrears the tenant did notify the landlord that they did not wish to continue with the tenancy within the effective period for ending a fixed term tenancy. The fixed term tenancy ended on 13 October 2025 and the Tribunal has ordered rent arrears to that date.
Therefore, as notice to end the tenancy was given the Tribunal finds on the evidence of this case that the claim for exemplary damages is not proved on the balance of probabilities. Filing fee/suppression
Because the landlord has substantially succeeded with the claim I have reimbursed the filing fee and suppressed the landlord details in the order as applied for. See sections 102(4) and 95A(1) Residential Tenancies Act 1986.

Tenancy Tribunal case 5457154 — Rent arrears

At a glance

Award balance

Tenancy Tribunal case 5457154 — Rent arrears

At a glance

Award balance

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

How much is owed for rent and water rates?

Did the tenant comply with their obligations at the end of the tenancy?

Is the tenant responsible for the damage to the premises?

Should the Tribunal order exemplary damages for abandonment?

Topics & place

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Key findings

Frequently asked questions

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

How much is owed for rent and water rates?

Did the tenant comply with their obligations at the end of the tenancy?

Is the tenant responsible for the damage to the premises?

Should the Tribunal order exemplary damages for abandonment?

Topics & place

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Key findings

Frequently asked questions