Tenancy Tribunal orders tenant to clean his room after old takeaway and fizzy drink rubbish causes odour
A New Zealand Tenancy Tribunal has ordered a tenant to clean his room after a landlord complained about accumulated rubbish and odors. The tribunal ruled that the state of the room breached the tenancy agreement and the Residential Tenancies Act.
Why it matters
The case illustrates the legal mechanisms available to landlords when tenants fail to maintain sanitary living conditions, balancing property rights with tenant responsibilities.
The Tenancy Tribunal can make an order for a landlord to do the work if a tenant does not comply with the Act. Stock photo / 123rf
It’s a common sight in many homes across the country - a boy’s messy, smelly room.
But unable to send their tenant to time out after repeatedly asking him to clean his room, a landlord instead turned to the Tenancy Tribunal.
According to a recently released decision, the tenant had let rubbish pile up so badly in his room it made the home smell bad.
Photos provided to the tribunal show rubbish in the bedroom, including takeaway food packaging, empty containers and fizzy drink bottles.
The rubbish had marked and stained the walls and likely damaged and caused deterioration to the carpet.
Tribunal adjudicator Theo Baker ordered the tenant to get rid of the rubbish, vacuum his room and clean all surfaces.
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