Tenancy Tribunal Orders online

The Tenancy Tribunal hears approximately 20,000 cases each year, resulting in numerous judicial decisions called Tenancy Tribunal Orders. A website called www.tenancytribunal.govt.nz has been set up to give the public access to these orders.

The website is one of many sources of information for landlords and tenants. However it is not intended to provide an authoritative background check.

By providing easy access to information and services, both tenants and landlords can make more informed decisions, which in turn lead to better choices in tenancy related manners.

How to search for a Tenancy Tribunal Order

There are three ways to search for an Order:

1. by the name of the landlord, tenant, trust or company used in proceedings
2. by the address of the tenancy
3. by Tenancy Tribunal application number

Note: Search help is provided on the website.

Things to remember

Tenants and landlords may find the website a useful tool in decision-making before entering into an agreement. However, it is important to remember a few key points:

• Before entering into a tenancy agreement, landlords and tenants need to consider many factors. Checklists and advice for prospective landlords and tenants is available from the Department of Building and Housing website (www.dbh.govt.nz).
• Not all Tenancy Tribunal Orders will be publicly available due to legal or technical reasons. Most orders from February 2007 can be accessed online and will be available for 36 months.
• Paper copies of Tenancy Tribunal Orders can still be obtained for a small fee from the District Court where the Tenancy Tribunal dispute was heard.

Tenancy Tribunal

The Tenancy Tribunal is an independent judicial body that provides a quick and inexpensive way for tenants and landlords to resolve disputes. The Tribunal hears residential tenancy disputes involving claims up to $50,000. It resolves disputes in two ways, offering:

1. mediation between the parties concerned, facilitated by the Department of Building and Housing
2. a hearing by a Tenancy Adjudicator who makes a binding decision, called a Tenancy Tribunal Order, if mediation is unsuccessful or inappropriate.

Agreements reached in mediation are confidential and not available online.

To find out more or make an application to the Tenancy Tribunal, contact the Department of Building and Housing on 0800 TENANCY (0800 836 262) or make an application online at https://secure.dbh.govt.nz/TenancyTribunal/default.aspx