Tenantcheck Insights · Case study
Tenancy Tribunal case 5386002 — Rent arrears at Unit/Flat 2, 15 Central Avenue, Avenues, Whangarei 0110
Published 23 May 2026 · Application 5386002
- Rent arrears
- Cleanliness
At a glance
Key facts from the published tribunal order.
Outcome
Landlord favoured
From published order
Location
Whangarei
Tribunal region
Adjudicator
M Feist
Dispute themes
Award balance
Gross awards, any bond applied per the order, and the remaining balance payable.
- Gross award
- $1,728.00
- Total balance for Tenant to pay Landlord
- $1,728.00
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 18 March 2025 | $1,560.00 | Rent arrears (to 18 March 2025 | |
| Cleaning | $140.00 | Cleaning | |
| Filing fee reimbursement | $28.00 | Filing fee reimbursement | |
| Net award | $1,728.00 | ||
| Total payable by Tenant to Landlord | $1,728.00 |
Claims and awards for application 5386002 — net $1,728.00 NZD. Verify on MoJ.
Rent arrears (to 18 March 2025
- Amount
- $1,560.00
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Rent arrears (to 18 March 2025
Cleaning
- Amount
- $140.00
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Cleaning
Filing fee reimbursement
- Amount
- $28.00
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Filing fee reimbursement
Net award
Landlord $1,728.00
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord
Landlord $1,728.00
Claim types — money lines allowed on this order
Order
- Joy Paul must pay Riverstone Rentals Limited $1,728.00 immediately, calculated as shown in table below.
Reasons
- On 11 November 2025, the landlord filed an application seeking rent arrear and cleaning costs following the end of the tenancy.
- The matter was first heard on 26 February 2026. At that time, the Tribunal could not be satisfied the tenant had been properly served with the notice of hearing and the case was adjourned.
- The landlord has now provided the Tribunal with evidence proving the tenant’s email address for service.
- The hearing proceeded by way of video conference on 18 May 2026. Ms Mel Baker, Property Manager, appeared for the landlord. The tenant failed to appear. The Tribunal was satisfied the tenant was properly served with the notice of hearing and the case proceeded in their absence. History of the tenancy
- The tenancy commenced on 4 December 2024 and was periodic.
- The tenant gave 21 days’ notice terminating the tenancy, effective 18 March 2025.
- The tenant agreed to refund the bond to the landlord to offset a portion of the outstanding rent arrears. How much is owed in rent arrears.
- The landlord provided up to date rent records which proved the amount owing at the end of the tenancy totalled $1,560.00. The amount claimed is ordered.
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 landlord seeks cleaning costs totalling $140.00 after paying a contractor to clean the property to a reasonably clean and tidy standard following the end of the tenancy. An invoice detailing the amounts claimed was provided.
- The landlord provided pre-tenancy inspection photographs which proved the property was provided in a clean and tidy condition at the commencement of the tenancy.
- The landlord provided end of tenancy inspection photographs which proved: a. The floors had not been vacuumed or mopped and there was, what appeared to be, animal waste on the carpet in one of the bedrooms. b. The oven was grease stained. c. The bathroom and kitchen had not been cleaned nor had the cupboards been wiped out.
- The Tribunal was able to make a proper before and after comparison of the condition of the property at the beginning and end of the tenancy. Having heard from the landlord and considering all of the evidence the Tribunal finds the tenant failed to return the property in a reasonably clean and tidy condition and the amount claimed is ordered. Other matters
- Because Riverstone Rentals Limited has wholly succeeded with the claim I must reimburse the filing fee.
Topics & place
Topics are dispute themes across the order (not the same as claim-type money lines).
Residential Tenancies Act sections
s14, s40(1)
Key findings
- Dispute theme: rent arrears
- Dispute theme: cleaning
Property management
- RIVERSTONE RENTALS LIMITED (applicant)
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this Tenancy Tribunal case.
What was the outcome of Tenancy Tribunal case 5386002?
The tribunal order states: Joy Paul must pay Riverstone Rentals Limited $1,728.00 immediately, calculated
How much money was awarded in case 5386002?
Cleaning: $140.00 awarded to landlord; Filing Fee: $28.00 awarded to landlord; Rent Arrears: $1,560.00 awarded to landlord
What type of tenancy dispute was case 5386002?
The primary dispute was Rent arrears. Related themes: Cleanliness.
Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5386002?
The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/13611788-Tribunal_Order.pdf.