Tenantcheck Insights · Case study
Tenancy Tribunal case 5432415 — Rent arrears at 32 Cambridge Street, Milson, Palmerston North 4414
Published 25 May 2026 · Application 5432415
Landlord favoured
- Rent arrears
- Cleanliness
At a glance
Key facts from the published tribunal order.
Outcome
Landlord favoured
From published order
Location
Palmerston North
Tribunal region
Adjudicator
J Setefano
Dispute themes
Award balance
Gross awards, any bond applied per the order, and the remaining balance payable.
- Gross award
- $3,747.50
- Bond payment as ordered
- −$2,520.00
- Total balance for Tenant to pay Landlord
- $1,227.50
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 02/12/2025 | $2,060.00 | Rent arrears to 02/12/2025 | |
| Carpet Cleaning | $567.00 | Carpet Cleaning | |
| House cleaning and rubbish removal | $1,092.50 | House cleaning and rubbish removal | |
| Filing fee reimbursement | $28.00 | Filing fee reimbursement | |
| Net award | $1,227.50 | ||
| Total payable by Tenant to Landlord | $1,227.50 |
Claims and awards for application 5432415 — net $1,227.50 NZD. Verify on MoJ.
Rent arrears to 02/12/2025
- Amount
- $2,060.00
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Rent arrears to 02/12/2025
Carpet Cleaning
- Amount
- $567.00
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Carpet Cleaning
House cleaning and rubbish removal
- Amount
- $1,092.50
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- House cleaning and rubbish removal
Filing fee reimbursement
- Amount
- $28.00
- Awarded to
- Landlord
- Reason
- Filing fee reimbursement
Net award
Landlord $1,227.50
Total payable by Tenant to Landlord
Landlord $1,227.50
Claim types — money lines allowed on this order
Order
- Jessica Ellen Loma Burr must pay Property Brokers Manawatu Limited As Agent For Mingjie (Maggie) Zhang $1,227.50 (“the debt”) immediately, calculated as shown in the table below.
- The tenant must pay the debt in order 1 at the rate of $50.00 per week.
- The first payment must be made on Friday 12 June 2026 and payments must continue every Friday until the debt is paid in full.
- If the tenant fails to make any payment within 2 working days of the due date, the balance of the debt owing will be payable immediately and can be enforced through the District Court.
- The Bond Centre is to pay the bond of $2,520.00 (5737818-008) to Property Brokers Manawatu Limited As Agent For Mingjie (Maggie) Zhang immediately.
Reasons
- A hearing was held on 6 May 2026 by video conference. The landlord attended. The tenant did not attend but had emailed the Tribunal advising she was unable to obtain leave from work. In the circumstances, I was satisfied the tenant had notice of the hearing and had elected not to attend. I therefore proceeded in the tenant’s absence.
- The landlord sought orders for rent arrears and compensation arising from the condition in which the premises were left at the end of the tenancy. The landlord relied on a rent summary, entry inspection report, outgoing inspection report, photographs, and invoices.
- The tenant provided written comments prior to the hearing. While she disputed part of the rubbish removal costs and stated she had not been given an opportunity to return to rectify cleaning issues or retrieve personal belongings, she otherwise substantially accepted liability and proposed a repayment arrangement of $50 per week. Rent arrears
- Under section 40(1)(a) of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (“the Act”), tenants are required to pay rent when it falls due.
- This tenancy commenced on 25 January 2023 and ended on 2 December 2025. The weekly rent was $670.00 and the bond held was $2,520.00.
- The landlord produced a rent summary showing arrears of $2,060.00 remaining following the end of the tenancy. I accept the landlord’s documentary evidence as reliable and accurate. The tenant did not meaningfully dispute the arrears claim.
- I am satisfied the landlord has proved the rent arrears claim in the sum sought. Compensation for cleaning and rubbish removal
- Section 40(1)(e)(i) of the Act requires tenants to leave the premises reasonably clean and reasonably tidy and remove all rubbish from the premises at the end of the tenancy.
- The legal test is not whether the premises are returned in a perfectly clean condition. However, where the state of cleanliness falls below what is reasonably expected, the landlord is entitled to recover the reasonable costs incurred in restoring the premises to the required standard.
- The landlord provided detailed evidence of the condition of the premises at the conclusion of the tenancy, including photographs, inspection reports, and invoices. The evidence established significant cleaning issues throughout the property, including grease accumulation, mould and grime build-up, extensive fly droppings contamination, rubbish left inside and outside the premises, discarded electrical items, and debris requiring removal from drains and exterior areas.
- The invoice provided was detailed and itemised the work undertaken. I am satisfied the work carried out was necessary and reasonable in the circumstances.
- The tenant submitted that the rubbish bins were due for collection and therefore she should not be responsible for part of the rubbish removal costs. I do not accept that submission materially affects the landlord’s claim. The evidence established substantial rubbish and personal belongings remained throughout the property and grounds requiring removal and disposal. The cleaning contractor undertook extensive work over and above ordinary bin collection requirements, including multiple dump runs and removal of abandoned items.
- The tenant also submitted she was not given an opportunity to return to undertake additional cleaning or retrieve forgotten belongings. However, there is no legal obligation on a landlord to provide a tenant with a further opportunity to remedy cleaning deficiencies or chase up the tenants once the tenancy has ended.
- Having considered all of the evidence, I am satisfied the landlord has proved the cleaning and rubbish removal claim in the sum of $1,092.50. Carpet cleaning
- The landlord also claimed $567.00 for carpet cleaning required to treat multiple stains, including dye stains from drinks.
- The outgoing inspection photographs and invoice support the landlord’s claim that the carpet required remedial treatment beyond ordinary cleaning associated with fair wear and tear. I accept the stains were caused during the tenancy and required professional treatment.
- I am satisfied the landlord has proved this claim. Bond and repayment arrangement
- Pursuant to section 22 of the Act, the bond is to be applied toward the amounts lawfully owed by the tenant.
- After applying the bond of $2,520.00, a balance of $1,227.50 remains payable by the tenant.
- The tenant proposed repayment by instalments of $50.00 per week. The landlord accepted that proposal. I consider the arrangement reasonable in the circumstances and have therefore incorporated it into the orders. Filing fee
- The landlord has wholly succeeded with the claim, I must therefore 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
s22, s4, s40(1)
Key findings
- Dispute theme: rent arrears
- Dispute theme: cleaning
Property management
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this Tenancy Tribunal case.
What was the outcome of Tenancy Tribunal case 5432415?
The tribunal order states: Jessica Ellen Loma Burr must pay Property Brokers Manawatu Limited As
How much money was awarded in case 5432415?
Cleaning: $567.00 awarded to landlord; Filing Fee: $28.00 awarded to landlord; Rent Arrears: $2,060.00 awarded to landlord; Rubbish Removal: $1,092.50 awarded to landlord
What type of tenancy dispute was case 5432415?
The primary dispute was Rent arrears. Related themes: Cleanliness.
Where can I read the official tribunal order for case 5432415?
The official Ministry of Justice published order is available at https://forms.justice.govt.nz/search/Documents/TTV2/PDF/13654019-Tenancy_Tribunal_Order.pdf.