Published tribunal order
Tenancy Tribunal case 5343065 — Cleanliness at Unit/Flat Unit G04, 2 Cracroft Street, Otahuhu, Auckland
Decided 27 January 2026 · Published 27 January 2026 · Application 5343065
Landlord favoured
- Cleanliness
- Property damage
Order
- William Taiorowhaenu Dickson must pay Kāinga Ora–Homes And Communities $1,843.12 immediately, calculated as shown in table below:
- 2. The applicant tells me that the tenancy ended on 11 July 2025. The applicant has made this application seeking compensation for cleaning, rubbish removal, and damage at the conclusion of the tenancy.
- The amounts claimed are as follows: a) $465.35 for cleaning b) $985.26 for rubbish removal c) $52.13 for cleaning of the kitchen cabinets d) $82.93 for a full oven clean e) $24.22 for a rangehood clean f) $228.07 for replacement of a kitchen drawer that was not present at the conclusion of the tenancy g) $40.16 for repair of holes made to the kitchen cabinets Is the respondent responsible for the cleaning and rubbish removal costs:
- 3. Section 40(1)(e)(iii) of the Residential Tenancies Act requires a tenant, at the conclusion of the tenancy, to remove all rubbish from the premises and to leave the premises in a reasonably clean and tidy state.
- On the evidence before me, including the exit inspection report and accompanying photographs, I am satisfied that the respondent left a substantial quantity of belongings and rubbish at the premises. The evidence further shows that the premises required general cleaning, as well as specific cleaning of the kitchen cabinets, the oven, and the rangehood.
- I am satisfied that these cleaning and rubbish removal costs were incurred solely as a result of the respondent’s breach of their obligations under section 40(1)(e)(iii), and the claimed amounts are therefore awarded.
Is the respondent liable for the draw replacement and the plastering costs?
- Section 40(2)(a) of the Residential Tenancies Act prohibits a tenant from intentionally or carelessly damaging the tenancy premises.
- The evidence shows that a kitchen drawer was missing at the conclusion of the tenancy and that holes had been made to the kitchen cabinets, requiring repair. I am satisfied on the balance of probabilities that this damage was caused by the tenant, either intentionally or carelessly.
- Accordingly, the tenant is liable for the reasonable costs of repair and replacement, and these costs are awarded. H Ben Fayed 27 January 2026