Tenantcheck Insights · Case study
Tenancy Tribunal case 5406208 — Rent arrears at 18 Lichfield Place, Raumanga, Whangarei 0110
Published 1 April 2026 · Application 5406208
- 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
- $6,733.70
- Total balance for Tenant to pay Landlord
- $6,733.70
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 14 August 2025 | $2,889.43 | Rent arrears (to 14 August 2025 | |
| Cleaning | $797.01 | Cleaning | |
| Rubbish removal | $3,047.26 | Rubbish removal | |
| Net award | $6,733.70 | ||
| Total payable by Tenant to Landlord | $6,733.70 |
Claims and awards for application 5406208 — net $6,733.70 NZD. Verify on MoJ.
Rent arrears (to 14 August 2025
- Amount
- $2,889.43
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Rent arrears (to 14 August 2025
Cleaning
- Amount
- $797.01
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Cleaning
Rubbish removal
- Amount
- $3,047.26
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Rubbish removal
Net award
Landlord $6,733.70
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord
Landlord $6,733.70
Claim types — money lines allowed on this order
Order
- Jacob Logan Reihana must pay Kāinga Ora–Homes And Communities $6,733.70 immediately, calculated as shown in table below.
Reasons
- On 4 December 2025 the landlord filed an application seeking rent arrears and compensation following the end of the tenancy.
- The hearing proceeded by way of video conference. Ms Thompson-Wise, Senior Tribunal Adviser, appeared for the landlord. The tenant did not appear. The Tribunal was satisfied the tenant was properly served with the notice of hearing (to their email address for service), and the case proceeded in their absence. History of the tenancy
- The tenancy commenced on 18 June 2014.
- On 8 July 2025 the landlord gave the tenant 90 days’ notice terminating the tenancy.
- The tenant was relocated to another property owned by the landlord.
- On 8 August 2025 accepted a one off $500.00 payment in full and final settlement to assist with covering the costs of relocating to the new property.
How much is owed for rent at the end of the tenancy?
- The tenancy ended on 14 August 2025. The landlord provided rent records which prove the amount owing at the end of the tenancy totalled $2,889.43. 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 compensation in the following amounts: a. End of tenancy cleaning costs totalling $797.01 b. Rubbish removal costs totalling $3,047.26 A breakdown of costs and a tenant invoice for the amount claimed was provided.
- The landlord provided a pre-tenancy inspection report which records the property was provided in a clean and tidy condition free from rubbish.
- The landlord provided an end of tenancy inspection report with photographs which documented the condition of the property at the end of the tenancy. These photographs showed the property was left in an unclean condition throughout. In particular the Tribunal noted: a. The kitchen was heavily soiled, the cupboards had not been completely emptied and were dirty, the benches had not been wiped down, the oven was covered with baked on grease, and the window was smeared and difficult to see out. b. The walls throughout the property marked, the flooring had not been vacuumed or mopped and carpet was stained. c. The bathroom was soiled with a significant scum ring in the bathtub, the bathroom cabinets were dirty and toilet stained and unclean. d. The evidence also shows that 17 cubic meters of rubbish was left inside and outside of the property which needed to be removed and dumped. This included items such as flooring underlay, bicycles, a line trimmer, building materials including paint tins, household equipment including a microwave and pots and various other items.
- 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. The Tribunal is satisfied on the evidence before it that the tenant failed to leave the premises in reasonably clean and tidy and did not remove all rubbish.
- Having considered the photographs, which showed a significant build-up of grease and grime and the quantity of rubbish left behind the Tribunal is satisfied that the amounts claimed are reasonable and that is what is ordered.
- Despite being wholly successful the landlord did not seek costs.
- The landlord did not seek name suppression.
Topics & place
Topics are dispute themes across the order (not the same as claim-type money lines).
Residential Tenancies Act sections
s40(1)
Key findings
- Dispute theme: rent arrears
- Dispute theme: cleaning
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this Tenancy Tribunal case.
What was the outcome of Tenancy Tribunal case 5406208?
The tribunal order states: Jacob Logan Reihana must pay Kāinga Ora–Homes And Communities $6,733.70
How much money was awarded in case 5406208?
Cleaning: $797.01 awarded to landlord; Rent Arrears: $2,889.43 awarded to landlord; Rubbish Removal: $3,047.26 awarded to landlord
What type of tenancy dispute was case 5406208?
The primary dispute was Rent arrears. Related themes: Cleanliness.
Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5406208?
The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/13381522-Tenancy_Tribunal_Order.pdf.