Tenancy Tribunal
The Tenancy Tribunal can help you if you have an issue with a tenant or landlord that you can’t solve yourself. The Tribunal will hear both sides of the argument and can issue an order that is legally binding.
When is a Tribunal hearing needed? (transcript)
[Opening board stating: When is a tribunal hearing needed?]
Kia ora.
There are several ways a tenancy issue can be solved. [Speaker name and position appears on screen: Jenny Robson, Principal Adjudicator, Tenancy Tribunal (2022)]
Some can be sorted through good communication between the landlord and tenant. Others may be resolved by the tenant and landlord, participating in mediation together and coming to an agreed solution.
If it's not possible to agree on a solution, you can apply for a hearing at the Tenancy Tribunal, which was part of the Ministry of Justice. [Screen shot of 'How to apply to the Tenancy Tribunal' page from the Tenancy Services website: www.tenancy.govt.nz/disputes/tribunal/making-an-application]
Tenancy Services will first process the application and arrange a time and location for the hearing to take place. The hearing will then be held by the Tribunal at a court, over the phone, or through an online video meeting.
The Tenancy Tribunal considers all disputes between landlords and tenants. For more information about the Tenancy Tribunal or how to apply and prepare for a hearing, see more on the Disputes section on our website.
In this section
Find out how to fill out the Tenancy Tribunal form and what supporting information you need to provide.
Tenancy Services works with the Ministry of Justice to schedule Tenancy Tribunal hearings.
Being prepared for your Tribunal hearing is important. It gives you the best chance of having a successful application, or defending the claims against you.
Case conferences have been introduced into the Tenancy Tribunal process. This is a form of preliminary meeting which is most often set as the first meeting between the adjudicator and the parties.
Attending a hearing can be daunting. Tribunal hearings are less formal than a normal court hearing, but you still need to know the rules and procedures.
Decisions made during the Tenancy Tribunal hearing are called orders.
If you disagree with a decision made at the Tenancy Tribunal hearing, you have 2 options.
You can either:
- apply for a rehearing
- appeal to the District Court.
