A suspected brothel in a central Auckland apartment sparked an unusual tenancy dispute.
The landlord had online advertisements, text messages and CCTV footage suggesting sex services were being offered.
But the tenant denied everything, insisting he simply lived there with his girlfriend and her friend.
Unconvinced, the landlord issued a 14-day notice and applied to terminate the tenancy.
Surely operating a brothel from a rental property would be grounds for termination?
Not necessarily, according to the Tenancy Tribunal.
The adjudicator explained that even a brothel can operate lawfully from residential premises in certain circumstances.
It’s a surprising reminder for property managers that commercial activity doesn’t automatically mean a tenancy breach.
