Tenantcheck Insights · Case study
Tenancy Tribunal case 5415648 — Rent arrears at 139 Priestley Terrace, Bluff Hill, Napier 4110
Published 4 March 2026 · Application 5415648
- Rent arrears
- Property damage
- Cleanliness
At a glance
Key facts from the published tribunal order.
Outcome
Landlord favoured
From published order
Location
Napier
Tribunal region
Adjudicator
J Setefano
Dispute themes
Award balance
Gross awards, any bond applied per the order, and the remaining balance payable.
- Gross award
- $15,081.61
- Bond payment as ordered
- −$5,200.00
- Total balance for Tenant to pay Landlord
- $9,881.61
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 06/02/2026 | $13,185.71 | The claim for rent arrears of $13,185.71 is proven and is awarded. __________________________________________________________________________________ 54156483… | |
| Power bill | $427.98 | Power bill | |
| Coffee table | $246.96 | Coffee table | |
| Cleaning | $450.00 | Cleaning | |
| Replacement vanity unit | $770.96 | Replacement vanity unit | |
| Net award | $9,881.61 | ||
| Total payable by Tenant to Landlord | $9,881.61 |
Claims and awards for application 5415648 — net $9,881.61 NZD. Verify on MoJ.
Rent arrears to 06/02/2026
- Amount
- $13,185.71
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- The claim for rent arrears of $13,185.71 is proven and is awarded. __________________________________________________________________________________ 54156483…
Power bill
- Amount
- $427.98
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Power bill
Coffee table
- Amount
- $246.96
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Coffee table
Cleaning
- Amount
- $450.00
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Cleaning
Replacement vanity unit
- Amount
- $770.96
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Replacement vanity unit
Net award
Landlord $9,881.61
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord
Landlord $9,881.61
Claim types — money lines allowed on this order
Order
- Hashim Muhammad must pay Willy Limited As Agent For Kevin And Tracey Richardson $9,881.61 immediately, calculated as shown in the table below.
- The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $5,200.00 (BN-00096933) to Willy Limited As Agent For Kevin And Tracey Richardson immediately.
Reasons
- The hearing was held by video conference on 24 February 2026. The landlord attended. The tenant did not attend.
- I am satisfied that the notice of hearing was properly served on the tenant. No request for an adjournment was received. I therefore consider it reasonable to proceed in the tenant’s absence and determine the matter on the evidence before the Tribunal. Background
- The tenancy commenced on 23 May 2025. Rent was $1,300 per week and the bond was $5,200. The premises were partially furnished.
- The landlord says the tenant vacated the premises on 23 November 2025 after committing to a six-month tenancy extension. No notice of termination was provided. The property was re-let from 7 February 2026.
- The landlord seeks rent arrears of $13,185.71, power charges of $427.98, cleaning costs of $450, replacement of a coffee table for $493.91, replacement of a vanity suite for $770.96, and reimbursement of the filing fee.
- The landlord provided a rent summary, photographs of the property at the end of the tenancy, and invoices.
Did the tenant comply with their obligations?
- Under section 40(1)(a) of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (“RTA”), a tenant must pay rent when it is due.
- 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) RTA.
- A landlord must prove that damage to the premises occurred during the tenancy and is more than fair wear and tear. If this is established, to avoid liability, the tenant must prove they did not carelessly or intentionally cause or permit the damage. Tenants are liable for the actions of people at the premises with their permission. See sections 40(2)(a), 41 and 49B RTA. Rent Arrears
- The landlord produced a rent summary showing arrears of $13,185.71.
- The evidence establishes that the tenant vacated on 23 November 2025 without providing lawful notice and that the premises were re-let from 7 February 2026. The landlord therefore claims rent only up until the day before the new tenancy commenced. I am satisfied the landlord has taken reasonable steps to mitigate loss, despite not being obliged too.
- The claim for rent arrears of $13,185.71 is proven and is awarded. Power Charges
- The landlord seeks $427.98 for electricity charges incurred during the tenancy. Supporting documentation was provided. As this relates to consumption during the tenant’s occupation, the claim is reasonable and is awarded. Cleaning
- The photographs show the premises were not left in reasonably clean and tidy condition. The cleaning invoice of $450 is reasonable and is awarded. Coffee Table
- The property included a coffee table which was damaged by staining. This constitutes damage beyond fair wear and tear. However, compensation must take depreciation into account. I therefore allow half of the amount claimed.
- The award for the coffee table is $246.96. Vanity Suite
- The landlord claims $770.96 to replace a vanity suite that was heavily stained. The landlord’s evidence is that the vanity was new at the start of the tenancy. The photographs support the landlord’s claim that the damage required replacement. I therefore allow the full amount claimed. Filing Fee
- As the landlord has been substantially successful, the tenant must reimburse the Tribunal filing fee under section 102 RTA.
Topics & place
Topics are dispute themes across the order (not the same as claim-type money lines).
Residential Tenancies Act sections
s10, s102, s13, s40(1), s40(2)
Key findings
- Dispute theme: rent arrears
- Dispute theme: cleaning
- Dispute theme: property damage
Property management
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this Tenancy Tribunal case.
What was the outcome of Tenancy Tribunal case 5415648?
The tribunal order states: Hashim Muhammad must pay Willy Limited As Agent For Kevin And Tracey
How much money was awarded in case 5415648?
Cleaning: $450.00 awarded to landlord; Coffee Table: $246.96 awarded to landlord; Power Bill: $427.98 awarded to landlord; Property Damage: $770.96 awarded to landlord; Rent Arrears: $13,185.71 awarded to landlord
What type of tenancy dispute was case 5415648?
The primary dispute was Rent arrears. Related themes: Property damage, Cleanliness.
Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5415648?
The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/13226964-Tenancy_Tribunal_Order.pdf.