Tenants Ordered to Pay $30,000 After Abandoning Rental Property

The Tenancy Tribunal has ruled that five tenants must pay their landlord over $30,000 after they abandoned a four-bedroom rental property and left it in a state of disrepair. The group, which included Toni Jamie Whakaara, Hoana Violet Whakaara, Xavier Tausili, Violet Whakaara, and James Francis Whakaara, vacated the premises months into a 12-month fixed-term tenancy, citing high rental costs as their reason for leaving.

When the tenants exited the property, they took the keys and parts of a garage door but left behind a significant amount of rubbish. This included tyres, bicycles, furniture, and clothing. The condition of the home revealed extensive damage, with 11 internal walls, three internal doors, and broken glass in the back door requiring attention.

The ruling, delivered by adjudicator Mike Edison, mandates that the tenants compensate the landlord for unpaid rent and damages. The tribunal has not yet made a final decision regarding their liability for additional rent, which remains pending.

While tenants paid $980 per week for the property, they abandoned the home without further notice, leaving the landlord to manage the aftermath of their departure. The address of the property is currently suppressed for privacy reasons.

The ruling underscores the responsibilities that come with rental agreements and serves as a reminder for tenants to adhere to their contractual obligations. As the situation develops, further assessments of the tenants’ financial responsibilities may follow.