How much money was awarded in case 5478635?

Cleaning: $414.00 awarded to landlord; Filing Fee: $28.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $103.50 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $100.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $292.95 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $555.00 awarded to landlord; Rent Arrears: $400.00 awarded to landlord; Rubbish Removal: $1,226.28 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5478635?

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

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5478635?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/13876766-Tribunal_Order_Redacted.pdf.

How much money was awarded in case 5478635?

Cleaning: $414.00 awarded to landlord; Filing Fee: $28.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $103.50 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $100.00 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $292.95 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $555.00 awarded to landlord; Rent Arrears: $400.00 awarded to landlord; Rubbish Removal: $1,226.28 awarded to landlord

What type of tenancy dispute was case 5478635?

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

Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5478635?

The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/13876766-Tribunal_Order_Redacted.pdf.

168 Earn Street, Appleby, Invercargill 9812, Level 1- Tenancy Tribunal Case 5478635 — Property damage

Q: What was Tenancy Tribunal case 5478635 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 5478635 — net $2,483.73 NZD. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Reason
Rent arrears as at 26 February 2026	$400.00	Rent arrears as at 26 February 2026
Replacement key during tenancy	$103.50	Replacement key during tenancy
Repair of lock during tenancy	$100.00	Repair of lock during tenancy
Repairs and rubbish removal	$1,226.28	Repairs and rubbish removal
Cleaning	$414.00	Cleaning
Repair light fitting	$292.95	Repair light fitting
Lock/key replacement	$555.00	Lock/key replacement
Filing fee reimbursement	$28.00	Filing fee reimbursement
Net award	$2,483.73
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord	$2,483.73

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

[The tenant/s] must pay [The landlord/s] $2,483.73 immediately, calculated as shown in table below.

The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $636.00 ([Bond number suppressed]) to [The landlord/s] immediately.

Reasons

This application was scheduled to be heard by video conference. The tenant did not connect to the Teams link provided and nor did he ring in to the hearing as directed by the Notice of Hearing sent to him. Further to this, both calls I made to the telephone number provided for him went unanswered. The hearing proceeded in his 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?

The tenancy ended on 26 February 2026. The landlord provided rent records which prove the amount owing at the end of the tenancy - $400.00. Costs during tenancy

I accept the evidence showing that during the tenancy the tenant lost the key and then two weeks later was locked out of the premises. The cost of replacing the key and then fixing the lock are proved by invoices.

I note that the original invoice for the key was $139.50 and that the tenant has paid $36.00 towards this amount, leaving $103.50 to be paid.

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 photographs show that the tenant did not leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy and did not remove all rubbish. In particular the walls in the house were very dirty, the oven and stovetop were very dirty as was the bathroom.

The tenant also did not return the keys.

The amounts ordered to remedy these issues are proved with invoices.

I note that with regard to the cost of replacing the lock and keys to the premises, a digital lock was needed for the communal shed because the tenant also did not return that key.

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: (a) The tenant had taken off window hinges and had incorrectly screwed some back on, causing some windows to be jammed; and (b) A bracket was left for a door bell that the tenant had installed – this needed to be removed and holes in the wall repaired; and (c) The door stop at the entrance door was broken; and (d) A large number of holes caused by pictures put up by the tenant; and (e) A metal filing cabinet that the tenant had put on the deck had rusted onto the deck; and (f) A light fitting in the lounge had been removed.

The damage is more than fair wear and tear, and the tenant has not disproved liability for the damage.

The amounts ordered to remedy these issues are proved with invoices. Filing fee reimbursement

I am also ordering the tenant to reimburse the filing fee to the landlord because the landlord was wholly successful with their claim against him. Suppression of landlord’s name

For the same reason I am allowing the landlord’s application for suppression of their name and identifying details. C ter Haar 09 July 2026

Claims and awards in Tenancy Tribunal application 5478635 — net $2,483.73 NZD. Amounts reconciled from the published order (claims sum and net total). Verify on MoJ.
Claim	Landlord	Reason
Rent arrears as at 26 February 2026	$400.00	Rent arrears as at 26 February 2026
Replacement key during tenancy	$103.50	Replacement key during tenancy
Repair of lock during tenancy	$100.00	Repair of lock during tenancy
Repairs and rubbish removal	$1,226.28	Repairs and rubbish removal
Cleaning	$414.00	Cleaning
Repair light fitting	$292.95	Repair light fitting
Lock/key replacement	$555.00	Lock/key replacement
Filing fee reimbursement	$28.00	Filing fee reimbursement
Net award	$2,483.73
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord	$2,483.73

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 tenant/s] must pay [The landlord/s] $2,483.73 immediately, calculated as shown in table below.
The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $636.00 ([Bond number suppressed]) to [The landlord/s] immediately.

Reasons

This application was scheduled to be heard by video conference. The tenant did not connect to the Teams link provided and nor did he ring in to the hearing as directed by the Notice of Hearing sent to him. Further to this, both calls I made to the telephone number provided for him went unanswered. The hearing proceeded in his 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?

The tenancy ended on 26 February 2026. The landlord provided rent records which prove the amount owing at the end of the tenancy - $400.00. Costs during tenancy
I accept the evidence showing that during the tenancy the tenant lost the key and then two weeks later was locked out of the premises. The cost of replacing the key and then fixing the lock are proved by invoices.
I note that the original invoice for the key was $139.50 and that the tenant has paid $36.00 towards this amount, leaving $103.50 to be paid.

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 photographs show that the tenant did not leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy and did not remove all rubbish. In particular the walls in the house were very dirty, the oven and stovetop were very dirty as was the bathroom.
The tenant also did not return the keys.
The amounts ordered to remedy these issues are proved with invoices.
I note that with regard to the cost of replacing the lock and keys to the premises, a digital lock was needed for the communal shed because the tenant also did not return that key.

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: (a) The tenant had taken off window hinges and had incorrectly screwed some back on, causing some windows to be jammed; and (b) A bracket was left for a door bell that the tenant had installed – this needed to be removed and holes in the wall repaired; and (c) The door stop at the entrance door was broken; and (d) A large number of holes caused by pictures put up by the tenant; and (e) A metal filing cabinet that the tenant had put on the deck had rusted onto the deck; and (f) A light fitting in the lounge had been removed.
The damage is more than fair wear and tear, and the tenant has not disproved liability for the damage.
The amounts ordered to remedy these issues are proved with invoices. Filing fee reimbursement
I am also ordering the tenant to reimburse the filing fee to the landlord because the landlord was wholly successful with their claim against him. Suppression of landlord’s name
For the same reason I am allowing the landlord’s application for suppression of their name and identifying details. C ter Haar 09 July 2026

Tenancy Tribunal case 5478635 — Property damage at 168 Earn Street, Appleby, Invercargill 9812, Level 1-

At a glance

Tenancy Tribunal case 5478635 — Property damage at 168 Earn Street, Appleby, Invercargill 9812, Level 1-

At a glance

Award balance

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

How much is owed for rent?

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

Award balance

Claims & awards

Order

Reasons

How much is owed for rent?

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