Guo v Korck [2019] NZHC 1541 is the case that changed how New Zealand determines tenant damage and is now cited in more than 4,000 Tenancy Tribunal decisions availabe online.
It involved Auckland landlord Gary Guo, whose Titirangi rental was extensively damaged after Grant and Lara Korck’s two toy poodles repeatedly urinated throughout the home.
The High Court ruled that intentional damage isn’t limited to deliberate acts – it can also include knowingly allowing damage to continue.
The decision also confirmed that, in tenancy law, the terms “accidental” and “careless” damage are often used interchangeably, with the real distinction being between careless and intentional damage.
While the case remains the leading authority, legislative changes from 1 December 2025 now make tenants liable for all damage caused by their pets.
Every property manager should understand Guo v Korck because it continues to shape how the Tribunal approaches damage claims today.
