What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5460829 about?

The tribunal order states: [The tenant/s] must pay Mid North Real Estate Limited (as agent for Gavin Dahl)

How much money was awarded in case 5460829?

Cleaning: $140.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $600.00 awarded to landlord; Filing Fee: $28.00 awarded to landlord; Lawns and Garden Work: $120.00 awarded to landlord; Pest Control: $380.00 awarded to landlord; Rent Arrears: $826.02 awarded to landlord; Water Rates: $132.00 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5460829?

The primary dispute was Rent arrears. Related themes: Exemplary damages, Cleanliness.

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5460829?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/13806277-Tenancy_Tribunal_Order.pdf.

What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5460829 about?

The tribunal order states: [The tenant/s] must pay Mid North Real Estate Limited (as agent for Gavin Dahl)

How much money was awarded in case 5460829?

Cleaning: $140.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $600.00 awarded to landlord; Filing Fee: $28.00 awarded to landlord; Lawns and Garden Work: $120.00 awarded to landlord; Pest Control: $380.00 awarded to landlord; Rent Arrears: $826.02 awarded to landlord; Water Rates: $132.00 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5460829?

The primary dispute was Rent arrears. Related themes: Exemplary damages, Cleanliness.

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5460829?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/13806277-Tenancy_Tribunal_Order.pdf.

3 Shaw Street, Kaikohe 0405 Tenancy Tribunal Case 5460829 — Rent arrears

Reasons

Background

Claims and awards in Tenancy Tribunal application 5460829 — net $826.02 NZD. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Reason
Exemplary damages: Using the premises, or permitting them to be used, for an unlawful purpose methamphetamine	$600.00	Using the premises, or permitting them to be used, for an unlawful purpose methamphetamine
Rent arrears	$826.02	5. The landlord’s rent record establishes rent arrears of $826.02 to the end of the tenancy.
Water rates	$132.00	Water rates
Garden tidy up and rubbish removal	$120.00	Garden tidy up and rubbish removal
Pest control: Cockroaches	$380.00	Pest control: Cockroaches
Cleaning	$140.00	Cleaning
Filing fee reimbursement	$28.00	28. I will award exemplary damages of $600.00.
Net award	$826.02
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord	$826.02

The tenancy began on 14 February 2024 and ended on 14 July 2025.

The landlord’s application seeks rent arrears, water rates, cleaning, garden tidy up, pest control costs (cockroaches) and exemplary damages (methamphetamine).

The hearing took place by videoconference on 25 June 2026. Ms Maraki represented the landlord at the hearing. There was no appearance by the tenant.

The application and notice of hearing were served on the tenant in accordance with the requirements of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.1 The hearing proceeded in the tenant’s absence. Rent arrears and water rates

The landlord’s rent record establishes rent arrears of $826.02 to the end of the tenancy.

Water rates are owed for the period ending April 2025 ($70.40) and from April 2025 to the end of the tenancy ($61.60). The amounts claimed are proven. Cleaning, garden, rubbish, pests

Tenants must leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy and remove all rubbish at the end of the tenancy.2

Ms Maraki provided photographs showing the condition of the premises at the end of the tenancy.

The lawns were mowed, but there was some rubbish (timber offcuts, debris, shells) left around the garden, along with a pile of green waste.

The interior required further cleaning in some areas (in particular the laundry, and inside cupboards and drawers) to bring the premises to a reasonably clean and tidy standard.

The amounts claimed for cleaning and garden tidy up are fair and and reasonable.

The premises were infested with cockroaches when the landlord re-took possession. Ms Maraki noted that there were no issues with cockroaches in the 1 Section 91A(1)(e) RTA 2 Section 40(1)(e)(iii) RTA 5460829 3 previous tenancy (Mr Hauraki’s father was the previous tenant), but Mr Hauraki also left a cockroach infestation at his previous tenancy.

It is likely that Mr Hauraki inadvertently introduced the cockroaches to this tenancy in his furniture or appliances, and then he failed to take reasonable steps to control the infestation.

In the absence of any contrary evidence my finding is that the tenant is liable for the pest control cost. Methamphetamine

The landlord arranged for methamphetamine in May 2024, part way through Mr Hauraki’s tenancy.

The testing was carried out by Meth Solutions.

Meth Solutions took ten samples from various locations in the property and tested them in two groups. Both groups were positive for methamphetamine at low levels – 0.14 micrograms on one group and 0.28 micrograms on another.

The levels were well below the trigger for de-contamination (15 micrograms).

The landlord arranged for Meth Solutions to test again at the end of the tenancy. Meth Solutions followed the same methodology, and took samples from the same locations, as the May 2024 test.

The results show significantly elevated levels of methamphetamine – 3.35 micrograms on one group and 4.9 micrograms on the other.

These levels do not necessitate de-contamination by the landlord, but there are an increase of approximately 20x the May 2024 levels.

This evidence establishes, to the standard of “more likely than not” that methamphetamine use occurred at the premises during the tenancy.

It is an unlawful act for a tenant to use the premises, or to permit them to be used, for an unlawful purpose during the tenancy.3 The Tenancy Tribunal can award exemplary damages of up to $1800 for this unlawful act.

In the absence of any other evidence, the most likely explanation of the contamination is that it was caused by the tenant, or by someone who was at the premises with the tenant’s consent.

In considering an award of exemplary damages the Tribunal must have regard to:4 a. The intention of the person who committed the unlawful act; and 3 Section 40(2)(b) RTA 4 Section 109 RTA 5460829 4 b. The effect of the unlawful act; and c. The interests of the person against whom the act was committed; and d. The public interest.

The Tribunal’s usual approach to exemplary damages is toward one-third of the maximum unless there are aggravating or mitigating factors in play.5

There are no relevant aggravating or mitigating factors in this instance. The level of contamination was such that the landlord did not incur additional costs in terms of detailed testing or de-contamination.

I will award exemplary damages of $600.00. Filing fee, bond

The landlord was successful in this application and I will award the landlord the filing fee of $28.00.

The bond will be released to the landlord.

Claims and awards in Tenancy Tribunal application 5460829 — net $826.02 NZD. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Reason
Exemplary damages: Using the premises, or permitting them to be used, for an unlawful purpose methamphetamine	$600.00	Using the premises, or permitting them to be used, for an unlawful purpose methamphetamine
Rent arrears	$826.02	5. The landlord’s rent record establishes rent arrears of $826.02 to the end of the tenancy.
Water rates	$132.00	Water rates
Garden tidy up and rubbish removal	$120.00	Garden tidy up and rubbish removal
Pest control: Cockroaches	$380.00	Pest control: Cockroaches
Cleaning	$140.00	Cleaning
Filing fee reimbursement	$28.00	28. I will award exemplary damages of $600.00.
Net award	$826.02
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord	$826.02

Order

[The tenant/s] must pay Mid North Real Estate Limited (as agent for Gavin Dahl) $826.02 immediately, calculated as shown in table below.
The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $1,400.00 to Mid North Real Estate Limited (as agent for Gavin Dahl) immediately.

Reasons

Background

The tenancy began on 14 February 2024 and ended on 14 July 2025.
The landlord’s application seeks rent arrears, water rates, cleaning, garden tidy up, pest control costs (cockroaches) and exemplary damages (methamphetamine).
The hearing took place by videoconference on 25 June 2026. Ms Maraki represented the landlord at the hearing. There was no appearance by the tenant.
The application and notice of hearing were served on the tenant in accordance with the requirements of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.1 The hearing proceeded in the tenant’s absence. Rent arrears and water rates
The landlord’s rent record establishes rent arrears of $826.02 to the end of the tenancy.
Water rates are owed for the period ending April 2025 ($70.40) and from April 2025 to the end of the tenancy ($61.60). The amounts claimed are proven. Cleaning, garden, rubbish, pests
Tenants must leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy and remove all rubbish at the end of the tenancy.2
Ms Maraki provided photographs showing the condition of the premises at the end of the tenancy.
The lawns were mowed, but there was some rubbish (timber offcuts, debris, shells) left around the garden, along with a pile of green waste.
The interior required further cleaning in some areas (in particular the laundry, and inside cupboards and drawers) to bring the premises to a reasonably clean and tidy standard.
The amounts claimed for cleaning and garden tidy up are fair and and reasonable.
The premises were infested with cockroaches when the landlord re-took possession. Ms Maraki noted that there were no issues with cockroaches in the 1 Section 91A(1)(e) RTA 2 Section 40(1)(e)(iii) RTA 5460829 3 previous tenancy (Mr Hauraki’s father was the previous tenant), but Mr Hauraki also left a cockroach infestation at his previous tenancy.
It is likely that Mr Hauraki inadvertently introduced the cockroaches to this tenancy in his furniture or appliances, and then he failed to take reasonable steps to control the infestation.
In the absence of any contrary evidence my finding is that the tenant is liable for the pest control cost. Methamphetamine
The landlord arranged for methamphetamine in May 2024, part way through Mr Hauraki’s tenancy.
The testing was carried out by Meth Solutions.
Meth Solutions took ten samples from various locations in the property and tested them in two groups. Both groups were positive for methamphetamine at low levels – 0.14 micrograms on one group and 0.28 micrograms on another.
The levels were well below the trigger for de-contamination (15 micrograms).
The landlord arranged for Meth Solutions to test again at the end of the tenancy. Meth Solutions followed the same methodology, and took samples from the same locations, as the May 2024 test.
The results show significantly elevated levels of methamphetamine – 3.35 micrograms on one group and 4.9 micrograms on the other.
These levels do not necessitate de-contamination by the landlord, but there are an increase of approximately 20x the May 2024 levels.
This evidence establishes, to the standard of “more likely than not” that methamphetamine use occurred at the premises during the tenancy.
It is an unlawful act for a tenant to use the premises, or to permit them to be used, for an unlawful purpose during the tenancy.3 The Tenancy Tribunal can award exemplary damages of up to $1800 for this unlawful act.
In the absence of any other evidence, the most likely explanation of the contamination is that it was caused by the tenant, or by someone who was at the premises with the tenant’s consent.
In considering an award of exemplary damages the Tribunal must have regard to:4 a. The intention of the person who committed the unlawful act; and 3 Section 40(2)(b) RTA 4 Section 109 RTA 5460829 4 b. The effect of the unlawful act; and c. The interests of the person against whom the act was committed; and d. The public interest.
The Tribunal’s usual approach to exemplary damages is toward one-third of the maximum unless there are aggravating or mitigating factors in play.5
There are no relevant aggravating or mitigating factors in this instance. The level of contamination was such that the landlord did not incur additional costs in terms of detailed testing or de-contamination.
I will award exemplary damages of $600.00. Filing fee, bond
The landlord was successful in this application and I will award the landlord the filing fee of $28.00.
The bond will be released to the landlord.

Tenancy Tribunal case 5460829 — Rent arrears at 3 Shaw Street, Kaikohe 0405

At a glance

Tenancy Tribunal case 5460829 — Rent arrears at 3 Shaw Street, Kaikohe 0405

At a glance

Award balance

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

Topics & place

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Key findings

Property management

Frequently asked questions

Award balance

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

Topics & place

Residential Tenancies Act sections

Key findings

Property management

Frequently asked questions