How long it takes for a Tenancy Tribunal hearing
Tenancy Services works with the Ministry of Justice to schedule Tenancy Tribunal hearings.
If a case is going to a Tribunal hearing, the amount of time it takes to get a hearing date depends on several factors. This includes the urgency of the matter, and whether the hearing is to be completed by phone or in-person.
Cases are prioritised for scheduling based on the categories below:
Priority 1 – Applications involving anti-social behaviour, abandonment, and assault
These urgent matters will be scheduled as soon as possible.
Priority 2 – Current tenancies particularly where there are rent arrears which may be increasing
PrintPriority 2 – Current tenancies particularly where there are rent arrears which may be increasing
These are usually less complex matters, requiring less than 90 minutes of hearing time and can often be scheduled as phone hearings.
Approximate timeframes
Mediation cases take about 13 to 15 working days from when the application is made to mediation.
Phone hearings can be scheduled more quickly than in-person hearings, usually within 20 to 25 working days.
In-person hearings can take 30 working days or longer to be scheduled, depending on how complex the matter is and the local court availability. Please note there is an increase in the time it is taking for hearings in the Auckland region to be scheduled due to availability of courtroom facilities. This means that hearings in this region are taking in excess of 30 working days to be scheduled.
If tenants have abandoned a property, a landlord can apply for an 'expedited abandonment application'. Landlords can't legally take back possession of the property until the court has transferred it back to them. This process may start within 48 hours but you must meet the criteria.
More information on abandoned properties
Your case could be delayed if:
- paperwork has not been completed properly
- tenants or landlords aren't prepared for the tribunal hearing
- the case is more complicated than expected.
Sometimes a hearing date needs to be rearranged. Case coordinators will work with you to help avoid these delays where possible.
Court sitting days by location
(In larger centres, there may be more than one court holding hearings)
| Location | Number of court sitting days per month |
|---|---|
| Ashburton | 1 |
| Auckland | 40 |
| Blenheim | 2 or 3 |
| Christchurch | 31 |
| Dunedin | 7 |
| Gisborne | 4 |
| Greymouth | 1 or 2 |
| Hamilton | 16 |
| Hastings | 5 |
| Hawera | 2 |
| Huntly | 1 or 2 |
| Hutt Valley | 10 |
| Invercargill | 3 or 4 |
| Kaikohe | 3 |
| Kaitaia | 2 |
| Manukau | 42 |
| Masterton | 2 |
| Napier | 5 or 6 |
| Nelson | 4 |
| New Plymouth | 4 |
| North Shore | 20 |
| Palmerston North | 9 |
| Porirua | 7 |
| Pukekohe | 2 or 3 |
| Queenstown | 1 or 2 |
| Rotorua | 8 |
| Taumarunui | 1 |
| Taupo | 3 or 4 |
| Tauranga | 11 |
| Te Kuiti | 1 |
| Thames | 2 |
| Timaru | 2 |
| Tokoroa | 3 |
| Wairoa | 1 |
| Waitakere | 20 |
| Whanganui | 4 |
| Wellington | 16 |
| Whakatane | 4 |
| Whangarei | 8 |
