Tenantcheck Insights · Case study
Tenancy Tribunal case 5464711 — Rent arrears in East Tamaki Heights, Auckland
Decided 23 March 2026 · Published 23 March 2026 · Application 5464711
- Rent arrears
At a glance
Key facts from the published tribunal order.
Outcome
Landlord favoured
From published order
Location
Auckland
Tribunal region
Adjudicator
K Stirling
Dispute themes
Award balance
Gross awards, any bond applied per the order, and the remaining balance payable.
- Gross award
- $5,885.14
- Total balance for Tenant to pay Landlord
- $2,885.14
Claims & awards
What this tenancy cost at tribunal — claim, category, amount, and party awarded, with reconciled net total.
| Claim | Landlord | Tenant | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent arrears to 10.4.2026 | $4,357.14 | Rent arrears to 10.4.2026 | |
| Filing fee reimbursement | $28.00 | Filing fee reimbursement | |
| Bond received | $1,500.00 | Bond received | |
| Total award | $4,385.14 | $1,500.00 | |
| Net award | $2,885.14 | ||
| Total payable by Tenant to Landlord | $2,885.14 |
Claims and awards for application 5464711 — net $2,885.14 NZD. Verify on MoJ.
Rent arrears to 10.4.2026
- Amount
- $4,357.14
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Rent arrears to 10.4.2026
Filing fee reimbursement
- Amount
- $28.00
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Filing fee reimbursement
Bond received
- Amount
- $1,500.00
- Awarded to
- Tenant
- Reason
- Bond received
Total award
Landlord $4,385.14 · Tenant $1,500.00
Net award
Landlord $2,885.14
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord
Landlord $2,885.14
Claim types — money lines allowed on this order
Order
- An application for suppression has been made in this case, and the Tribunal orders suppression of the Landlord name and identifying details.
- Man Nga Lam must pay [The landlord/s] $2,885.14 immediately, calculated as shown in the table below:
Reasons
- The landlord attended the hearing by telephone.
- I am satisfied that the notice of hearing was served on the tenant detailing the process for joining the hearing by telephone or video. The tenant did not attend.
- The landlord has applied for termination of the tenancy for abandonment, rent arrears and refund of the bond. This is a fixed term tenancy starting on 14 July 2025 and ending on 15 July 2026.
Should the tenancy be terminated?
- The Tribunal may terminate the tenancy where the premises have been abandoned, and rent is in arrears at the hearing date. 1 A tenancy is abandoned where the tenant leaves the premises without reasonable excuse, not intending to return or to meet their obligations, and fails to notify the landlord.
- On 5 March 2026, the landlord became aware (or ought to have been aware) that the tenant had abandoned the premises. Rent was in arrears and the tenant was not responding to the landlord’s various messages requesting payment of rent. The landlord checked CCTV cameras at the property which showed footage of the tenant and her son leaving the premises with several suitcases. The landlord then gave a notice to inspect the premises on 12 March 2026.
- The landlord reports that the premises were extremely dirty and there was a strong odour throughout. Photos taken at the inspection show that the property was in a very unclean state with rubbish throughout; rotten and expired food inside, and belongings strewn around the rooms. The keys to the premises were left on a table inside. While many of the tenant’s belongings, including clothing, was left behind, the landlord believes that the unsanitary condition of the premises and smell indicates that the tenant was not living there. The tenant’s dog was also not there.
- The landlord confirmed at the hearing that she took possession of the premises after the inspection on 12 March 2026, immediately taking steps to clean and tidy the premises, remove the tenant’s belongings to storage and she has attempted to relet the premises. She says that to date the premises are not relet. In those circumstances, a termination order is not required.
How much does the tenant owe?
- The landlord provided rent records which prove the amount owing at the end of the tenancy. A tenant who abandons premises is also liable to pay rent in the case of a fixed-term tenancy to the date of the expiry of the term; or the date of commencement of a new tenancy of the premises, whichever is the earlier. 2 1 Section 61 Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (RTA) 2 Section 61(3)(b)
- The landlord has not relet the premises and is entitled to rent owed up to the hearing date today. The bond held by the landlord is also taken into account to reduce the arrears owed.
- If the landlord seeks further rent beyond the hearing date until the premises are relet, they will need to make a further application.
- As the landlord has wholly succeeded with their application, they are entitled to suppression of their name and identifying details as requested and to reimbursement of the filing fee.
Topics & place
Topics are dispute themes across the order (not the same as claim-type money lines).
Residential Tenancies Act sections
s48(2B), s61, s91AA
Key findings
- Dispute theme: rent arrears
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this Tenancy Tribunal case.
What was the outcome of Tenancy Tribunal case 5464711?
The tribunal order states: An application for suppression has been made in this case, and the Tribunal
How much money was awarded in case 5464711?
Filing Fee: $28.00 awarded to landlord; Rent Arrears: $4,357.14 awarded to landlord
What type of tenancy dispute was case 5464711?
The primary dispute was Rent arrears.
Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5464711?
The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/13327635-Tenancy_Tribunal_Order.pdf.