Tenantcheck Insights · Case study
Tenancy Tribunal case 5424354 — Rent arrears at 48 Tui Street, Fendalton, Christchurch 8041
Published 13 May 2026 · Application 5424354
- Rent arrears
- Property damage
At a glance
Key facts from the published tribunal order.
Outcome
Landlord favoured
From published order
Location
Christchurch
Tribunal region
Adjudicator
A Macpherson
Dispute themes
Award balance
Gross awards, any bond applied per the order, and the remaining balance payable.
- Gross award
- $953.13
- Total balance for Tenant to pay Landlord
- $953.13
Claims & awards
What this tenancy cost at tribunal — claim, category, amount, and party awarded, with reconciled net total.
| Claim | Landlord | Tenant | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent arrears (2 days | $197.14 | Rent arrears (2 days | |
| Light bulbs | $57.50 | Light bulbs | |
| Lawns and garden work | $670.49 | Lawns and garden work | |
| Filing fee reimbursement | $28.00 | Filing fee reimbursement | |
| Net award | $953.13 | ||
| Total payable by Tenant to Landlord | $953.13 |
Claims and awards for application 5424354 — net $953.13 NZD. Verify on MoJ.
Rent arrears (2 days
- Amount
- $197.14
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Rent arrears (2 days
Light bulbs
- Amount
- $57.50
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Light bulbs
Lawns and garden work
- Amount
- $670.49
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Lawns and garden work
Filing fee reimbursement
- Amount
- $28.00
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Filing fee reimbursement
Net award
Landlord $953.13
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord
Landlord $953.13
Claim types — money lines allowed on this order
Order
- Marcus James Kupe must pay Kirkman Asset Management Limited As Agent For Cyrena $953.13 immediately, calculated as shown in table below.
Reasons
- The landlord attended the hearing.
- The tenant did not appear.
- The absence of a party does not prevent a matter from being heard and determined.
- The landlord has applied for rent arrears, compensation, and reimbursement of the filing fee following the end of the tenancy.
How much is owed for rent?
- The tenancy ended on 28 December 2025. The tenant stayed an additional 2 days so the landlord is entitled to $197.14 as sought. 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 is required to replace worn out smoke alarm batteries during the tenancy. See section 40(1)(ca) Residential Tenancies Act 1986. The tenant must also replace standard light bulbs.
- The landlord had to replace 9 light bulbs. I decline to award the labour costs claimed as the landlord confirmed that the owner replaced the light bulbs themselves.
- The photographs provided by the landlord show that the lawns were damaged by animal urine during this tenancy. However, the landlord is claiming $1,005.73 for a weed spray, lawn dethatching, and soil and seed repair. I find this is excessive and would arguably put the lawn in a better position it was at the start of the tenancy as some discount must be applied to take account of reasonable wear and tear.
- I award $670.49 which is a reduction of one third of the amount claimed.
- The amounts ordered are proved.
- Because Kirkman Asset Management Limited As Agent For Cyrena has substantially succeeded with the claim, the tenant 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
s40(1)
Key findings
- Dispute theme: rent arrears
- Dispute theme: property damage
Property management
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this Tenancy Tribunal case.
What was the outcome of Tenancy Tribunal case 5424354?
The tribunal order states: Marcus James Kupe must pay Kirkman Asset Management Limited As Agent
How much money was awarded in case 5424354?
Filing Fee: $28.00 awarded to landlord; Lawns and Garden Work: $670.49 awarded to landlord; Lightbulbs: $57.50 awarded to landlord; Rent Arrears: $197.14 awarded to landlord
What type of tenancy dispute was case 5424354?
The primary dispute was Rent arrears. Related themes: Property damage.
Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5424354?
The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/13592225-Tenancy_Tribunal_Order.pdf.