Order
terminating the tenancy if the Tribunal is satisfied that— (a) The rent was, at the date on which the application was filed under section 86 of this Act, at least 21 days in arrears: or (aa) the tenancy is a periodic tenancy and— (i)on 3 separate occasions within a 90-day period the rent has been at least 5 working days in arrear; and (ii)on each occasion the landlord gave the tenant written notice advising the tenant of the arrear, the dates for which rent was overdue, the amount or amounts of overdue rent, and the tenant’s right to make an application to the Tribunal challenging the notice (see sections 77(1) and 78(1)(a) regarding the Tribunal);and (iii)each notice stated how many other notices (if any) the landlord had given the tenant under this paragraph in relation to the same tenancy and 90- day period; and
(iv) the landlord’s application to the Tribunal was made within 28 days after the landlord gave the third notice: or (b) The tenant has caused, or has permitted any other person to cause, or has threatened to cause, substantial damage to the premises; or (c) the tenant has assaulted, or has threatened to assault, or has caused or permitted any person to assault, or to threaten to assault, any of the following persons: (i)the landlord or any member of the landlord’s family: (ii)the owner of the premises or any member of the owner’s family: (iii) any agent of the landlord: (iv) any occupier of any building of which the premises constitute a part: (v) any neighbour of the premises or of any building of which the premises constitute a part. (1A) Notwithstanding section 78(3) of this Act, the Tribunal may, instead of making a final termination order for the non-payment of rent under subsection (1)(a) and make a conditional order if, but only if, it is satisfied that— (a) The tenant will pay any rent in arrear within a period specified by the Tribunal; and (b) It is unlikely that the tenant will commit any further breach of a kind to which any of paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of subsection (1) applies. (1B) Any conditional order referred to in subsection (1A) of this section— (a) Shall set out the terms of repayment of any rent in arrear or any other conditions attaching to the order; and (b) Shall automatically take effect as a final termination order if the conditions are not complied with; and (c) Shall lapse if the conditions are complied with. (2) The Tribunal may refuse to make an order under subsection (1) of this section if, but only if, it is satisfied that the breach has been remedied (where it is capable of remedy), the landlord has been compensated for any loss arising from the breach, and it is unlikely that the tenant will commit any further breach of a kind to which this section applies [(but see also section 78A(3)(b). (3) It shall not be necessary for the landlord to give to the tenant notice of the landlord's intention to apply under this section for an order terminating the
- Assault is defined in section 2(1) of the Crimes Act 1961, as the act of intentionally applying or attempting to apply force to the person of another, directly or indirectly, or threatening by any act or gesture to apply such force to the person of another, if the person making the threat has, or causes the other to believe on reasonable grounds that he has the present ability to effect his purpose.
- In the case of Collins v Housing New Zealand, High Court Christchurch, CIV – 2004 – 409 – 717, 2 July 2004, His Honour Justice Keane, accepted that an assault, or threat of assault, once made could not be remedied. His Honour however, formed the view the discretion under section 55(2) of the Act remained, regardless of whether the breach was capable of remedy or not.
- The Court held that if the breach could not be remedied, then the issue could be set aside and the Tribunal go on to consider the two remaining factors in 55(2), namely, whether the landlord had been compensated for any loss arising from the breach and whether it was unlikely that the tenant would commit any further breach of the same kind. Decision on termination
- Having seen the 5 notice control inspectors reports from Kaipara District Council, hearing from the witness and the staff from Kainga Ora who have been involved in trying to resolve these problems, I find that the landlord has proven their claim of anti-social behaviour and assault on a neighbour’s grandson.
- Given the extensive history I am not satisfied that the tenant will not commit further breach of this kind.
- The application for termination of the tenancy is proved. The tenancy will terminate, and possession pass to the landlord at midnight on 11.59pm on Friday 15 th November 2024. J Northwood 15 November 2024