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I recently had a slightly more interesting encounter at the Tribunal. It all started off with the usual boring no rent paid, 10 day notice issued, tribunal application, no show at mediation, onto tribunal, no show again and two day notice for eviction granted. Ho hum here we go again I think as I stick the courts notice on the door. Two hours later I have a call from the flat mate, we can not move out because my cousin the tenant has gone off to her fathers Tangi. No problem, I say, just move her gear out for her. Your cousin had plenty of opportunity to phone the tribunal and explain the situation to the court. One hour later the tenancy officer rings me and says, I have your tenant here. She has paid up most of her arrears, can she stay. That’s funny I think how come she has managed to get back to Nelson in one hour from the Tangi. Now this request turned into a request for a Stay of Proceedings and rehearing which was granted subject to her paying the rent again on the following Tuesday.
Come Wednesday at the urgently provided re-hearing I had the pleasure of issuing the tenant with my termination notice in front of the adjudicator. The adjudicator was none too pleased to hear the supposed claim, of having paid more rent than specified on my schedule was freely admitted by the tenant to be untrue.
Then when asked why she had not paid the rent the day before as directed in the amended order her answer was. Oh, I pay to have my child cared for everyday so she can have good food. Who cares for the child was the question? My mother. Why do you not care for her yourself? My mother wants me to go out and have a life. Well the court clerk and the adjudicator almost fell out of their chairs and my eyes rolled out. She was told in no uncertain terms that landlords and court staff are not responsible for caring for tenant’s children. So the tenant was dispatched and I was granted my request for costs of $100 on the basis of an application for the rehearing being frivolous.
Come Wednesday at the urgently provided re-hearing I had the pleasure of issuing the tenant with my termination notice in front of the adjudicator. The adjudicator was none too pleased to hear the supposed claim, of having paid more rent than specified on my schedule was freely admitted by the tenant to be untrue.
Then when asked why she had not paid the rent the day before as directed in the amended order her answer was. Oh, I pay to have my child cared for everyday so she can have good food. Who cares for the child was the question? My mother. Why do you not care for her yourself? My mother wants me to go out and have a life. Well the court clerk and the adjudicator almost fell out of their chairs and my eyes rolled out. She was told in no uncertain terms that landlords and court staff are not responsible for caring for tenant’s children. So the tenant was dispatched and I was granted my request for costs of $100 on the basis of an application for the rehearing being frivolous.
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