Tenantcheck Insights · Case study
Tenancy Tribunal case 5423370 — Rent arrears at Room 1, 17 Suffolk Street, Phillipstown, Christchurch 8011
Published 7 May 2026 · Application 5423370
- Rent arrears
- Property damage
- Cleanliness
At a glance
Key facts from the published tribunal order.
Outcome
Landlord favoured
From published order
Location
Christchurch
Tribunal region
Adjudicator
R Morgan
Dispute themes
Award balance
Gross awards, any bond applied per the order, and the remaining balance payable.
- Gross award
- $3,754.43
- Bond payment as ordered
- −$760.00
- Total balance for Tenant to pay Landlord
- $2,994.43
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 23 December 2025 | $1,531.43 | Rent arrears (to 23 December 2025 | |
| Cleaning | $460.00 | Cleaning | |
| Rubbish removal | $250.00 | Rubbish removal | |
| Replace furnishings: Bed | $330.00 | Replace furnishings: Bed | |
| Repairs: Painting | $635.00 | Repairs: Painting | |
| Repairs: Carpet | $360.00 | Repairs: Carpet | |
| Repairs: Curtains & Blinds | $160.00 | Repairs: Curtains & Blinds | |
| Filing fee reimbursement | $28.00 | Filing fee reimbursement | |
| Net award | $2,994.43 | ||
| Total payable by Tenant to Landlord | $2,994.43 |
Claims and awards for application 5423370 — net $2,994.43 NZD. Verify on MoJ.
Rent arrears (to 23 December 2025
- Amount
- $1,531.43
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Rent arrears (to 23 December 2025
Cleaning
- Amount
- $460.00
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Cleaning
Rubbish removal
- Amount
- $250.00
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Rubbish removal
Replace furnishings: Bed
- Amount
- $330.00
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Replace furnishings: Bed
Repairs: Painting
- Amount
- $635.00
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Repairs: Painting
Repairs: Carpet
- Amount
- $360.00
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Repairs: Carpet
Repairs: Curtains & Blinds
- Amount
- $160.00
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Repairs: Curtains & Blinds
Filing fee reimbursement
- Amount
- $28.00
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Filing fee reimbursement
Net award
Landlord $2,994.43
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord
Landlord $2,994.43
Claim types — money lines allowed on this order
Order
- Kyle Simpson must pay The Good Girls Property Management Limited $2,994.43 immediately, calculated as shown in table below. DescriptionLandlord Rent arrears (to 23 December 2025)$1,531.43 Cleaning$460.00 Rubbish removal$250.00 Replace furnishings: Bed$330.00 Repairs: Painting$635.00 Repairs: Carpet$360.00 Repairs: Curtains & Blinds$160.00 Filing fee reimbursement$28.00 Total award$3,754.43 Bond$760.00 Total payable by Tenant to Landlord$2,994.43
- The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $760.00 (5936781-013) to The Good Girls Property Management Limited immediately.
Reasons
- Both parties attended the hearing.
- The landlord has applied for rent arrears, compensation, refund of the bond, and reimbursement of the filing fee following the end of the tenancy.
How much is owed for rent?
- The tenancy ended on 23 December 2025. The landlord provided rent records which prove the amount owing at the end of the tenancy.
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 tenant did not leave the premises reasonably clean and tidy and did not remove all rubbish. The room and ensuite did not appear to have been cleaned for many months.
- The landlord provided photographs which, the tenant accepted, accurately represented the condition of the property at the end of the tenancy. However, the tenant claims that the room was in a similar condition when he moved in. During the hearing he then acknowledged that the condition had worsened during his time at the property.
- I have awarded the full cleaning costs claimed. I am in no doubt that a deep clean was required at the end of the tenancy. I have awarded $250 for rubbish removal. The claim for $500 seems excessive having regard to the size of the room and there was no evidence of actual dumping fees.
Is the tenant responsible for the damage to the premises?
- 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.
- The landlord claims that curtains, a blind, a bed, walls and carpet were damaged during the tenancy in that they became so filthy they could not reasonably be cleaned. The photographs establish that repair/replacement was required at the end of the tenancy. I have awarded approximately half of the amount claimed for each item. In doing so, I have regard to the lack of in-going photographs, the tenant’s evidence of the in-going condition and his acceptance that the condition deteriorated, and the likely useful age of each item.
- As the landlord was the successful party, I also award reimbursement of the Tribunal application fee.
Topics & place
Topics are dispute themes across the order (not the same as claim-type money lines).
Residential Tenancies Act sections
s40(1), s40(2)
Key findings
- Dispute theme: rent arrears
- Dispute theme: cleaning
- Dispute theme: property damage
Property management
- THE GOOD GIRLS PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LIMITED (applicant)
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this Tenancy Tribunal case.
What was the outcome of Tenancy Tribunal case 5423370?
The tribunal order states: Kyle Simpson must pay The Good Girls Property Management Limited
How much money was awarded in case 5423370?
Cleaning: $460.00 awarded to landlord; Filing Fee: $28.00 awarded to landlord; Rent Arrears: $1,531.43 awarded to landlord; Carpet: $360.00 awarded to landlord; Curtains & Blinds: $160.00 awarded to landlord; Painting: $635.00 awarded to landlord; Replace Furnishings: Bed: $330.00 awarded to landlord; Rubbish Removal: $250.00 awarded to landlord
What type of tenancy dispute was case 5423370?
The primary dispute was Rent arrears. Related themes: Property damage, Cleanliness.
Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5423370?
The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/13562479-Tenancy_Tribunal_Order.pdf.