Tenantcheck Insights · Case study
Tenancy Tribunal case 5388384 — Rent arrears at 22 Te Whakarau Street, Turangi, Turangi 3334
Published 9 January 2026 · Application 5388384
- Rent arrears
At a glance
Key facts from the published tribunal order.
Outcome
Landlord favoured
From published order
Location
Turangi
Tribunal region
Adjudicator
N Blake
Dispute themes
Award balance
Gross awards, any bond applied per the order, and the remaining balance payable.
- Gross award
- $268.00
- Total balance for Tenant to pay Landlord
- $268.00
Claims & awards
What this tenancy cost at tribunal — claim, category, amount, and party awarded, with reconciled net total.
| Claim | Landlord | Tenant | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent arrears | $240.00 | claim for rent arrears against Mr Paora only, and it is fair and reasonable that they did so. | |
| Filing fee reimbursement | $28.00 | Filing fee reimbursement | |
| Net award | $268.00 | ||
| Total payable by Tenant to Landlord | $268.00 |
Claims and awards for application 5388384 — net $268.00 NZD. Verify on MoJ.
Rent arrears
- Amount
- $240.00
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- claim for rent arrears against Mr Paora only, and it is fair and reasonable that they did so.
Filing fee reimbursement
- Amount
- $28.00
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Filing fee reimbursement
Net award
Landlord $268.00
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord
Landlord $268.00
Claim types — money lines allowed on this order
Order
- Paora Lemon must pay Property Brokers Limited (as agent for A Edwards) $268.00 immediately, calculated as shown in table below.
Reasons
Background
- The landlord’s application seeks rent arrears and the filing fee. The circumstances of the tenancy are unusual, as discussed in more detail below.
- The application was scheduled for a video hearing at 2pm today, 9 January 2026.
- None of the named parties, including the Applicant landlord, joined the video hearing. I was also unable to contact the landlord by phone. Findings
- If an Applicant does not appear at the hearing, the Tenancy Tribunal usually dismisses the application. That is because the Applicant has the burden of proof, and they must prosecute the claim.
- However in this instance, having reviewed the written information and evidence provided by the landlord, I am satisfied that the claim is proven, and I have made the orders that the landlord is seeking.
- In summary: a. On 30 October 2025, Nellie Soloman and Paora Lemon entered into a written agreement for a fixed term tenancy for 22 Te Whakarau Street. The tenancy was to commence on 7 November 2025 and end on 6 November 2026. The rent was $480 per week. The tenants paid a bond and one week’s rent in advance. b. On 4 November, Mr Paora sent Property Brokers (Ms Devlin) an email stating that he was not going to proceed with the tenancy. Ms Devlin replied that the tenants were committed to a fixed term tenancy, and that both were responsible for rent until a replacement tenant could be found. c. Property Brokers released Mr Paora from the tenancy on 14 November 2025. This is recorded in a written variation to the agreement.
- The application seeks Mr Paora’s share of the rent ($240) for the second week of the tenancy. The first week was paid by the in-advance rent payment.
- Property Broker’s approach was completely correct.
- The written agreement was binding on all parties. Mr Paora could not withdraw from the tenancy. Both tenants are liable for rent until Mr Paora was released from the tenancy on 14 November. The landlord’s rent record shows that there were rent arrears of $240 to that date.
- If there is more than one tenant on a tenancy, they are jointly and severally liable. This means that they are liable for any debts together and also separately. Property Brokers was entitled to pursue this claim for rent arrears against Mr Paora only, and it is fair and reasonable that they did so.
- It is unclear whether Mr Paora paid any part of the $1920.00 bond. Even if he did, the bond belongs to the tenancy, which was varied and which continued after Mr Paora left. If Mr Paora is owed a refund of any amount that he paid towards the bond, it is Ms Soloman, not by the landlord, who owes this debt.
- The claim is proven.
- If an applicant is successful the Tribunal must award the applicant the filing fee for the claim. 1
Topics & place
Topics are dispute themes across the order (not the same as claim-type money lines).
Residential Tenancies Act sections
s102(4)
Key findings
- Dispute theme: rent arrears
Property management
- PROPERTY BROKERS LIMITED as agent for A Edwards (applicant)
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this Tenancy Tribunal case.
What was the outcome of Tenancy Tribunal case 5388384?
The tribunal order states: Paora Lemon must pay Property Brokers Limited (as agent for A Edwards)
How much money was awarded in case 5388384?
Filing Fee: $28.00 awarded to landlord; Rent Arrears: $240.00 awarded to landlord
What type of tenancy dispute was case 5388384?
The primary dispute was Rent arrears.
Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5388384?
The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/12949052-Tenancy_Tribunal_Order.pdf.