Category: Decisions Of Interest

One District Court decision reshaped how tenancy termination applications are assessed in New Zealand. Vincent Dean Huff’s case began with allegations that he had refused lawful access to the rental property, but the appeal became about something much bigger: when does a breach actually justify ending a tenancy? The Court made it clear that termination […]

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. […]

This case delves into the concept of "stale claims" and why the Tribunal may refuse to hear them if they fall outside legal time limits.

This case delves into how much marketing activity a landlord is expected to do when providing termination under Section 51 (2) (a) of the RTA.

What can you do if you rent out your property to a tenant, only to discover they’re making a tidy profit by subletting it through Airbnb without your knowledge?

When a tenant installs a spa pool without permission, it sparks a heated dispute. Can they claim it’s a "minor change" under the law?

What happens when a strong gust of wind turns into an expensive repair bill?

When does a landlord's expectation of cleanliness cross the line into the unreasonable?

Are landlords legally required to fence such features?

When a landlord divides a home into two separate units without proper consent, the legal consequences can be severe—even if one of those units is occupied by a family member

Two contrasting District Court cases collide as low level meth use is analysed at a rental property.

This case explores the fine line between necessary maintenance and breaching tenant privacy.

This week’s case delves into the responsibilities of tenants and landlords when it comes to the often overlooked rangehood lightbulbs and clarifies who should pay the bill

Can a landlord dictate what a tenant cooks or hold them liable for cooking smells?

What happens if a tenant signs a fixed term tenancy agreement and then doesn't move in?