Applying to the Tenancy Tribunal

To apply to the Tenancy Tribunal you need to complete an application form. Before you begin make sure you know:

• how to apply
• how much it costs
• what you need to provide
• what happens if things get resolved before the hearing.

You will also need to complete this application if:

• you want to access mediation
• you want to apply for a FastTrack resolution.

How to apply online

Applying online is a four step process. You may not be able to complete the application on some mobile phones. If you can, please complete your application on a desktop or laptop computer. If you don’t have one, you can do this at your local library or internet café.

Application process:

1. register to apply for the first time
2. log in to the Tenancy Tribunal Application online tool
3. fill in the application form
4. pay the application fee online and submit the application.

Make a new application online(external link)

What you'll need

• a RealMe® login. If you don’t already have one it only takes a few minutes to set one up.
• a working email address
• your bond number (if you have a bond lodged)
• electronic copies of your tenancy agreement and other supporting documents.

Create a RealMe® login(external link)

How to pay

Pay for your online application by:

• Visa or MasterCard
• online banking if you’re with ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Kiwibank, TSB or Westpac.

It will take about 10 minutes to apply online. You can do this all at once, but if you need more time the system will save your application for up to 30 days. 

Guidelines for completing your application

Make an application on paper

We only accept applications that use the latest version of the Tenancy Tribunal application form. We will not accept any older versions of the form.

If possible, it is best to apply online. The process is quick, and you will know you’re submitting a correct and complete application the first time.

If you do need to apply using a paper form, you can order one from our printed resources website. Enter the Tenancy Services section and click on ‘Forms’, then choose the Tenancy Tribunal application form.

Public Information Resource Portal (printed resources)(external link) — MBIE

Alternatively, you can contact us and we can post you a form. Some Citizens Advice Bureau Offices or Community Law Centres may also have copies of the form.

Contact us

If you use the paper application you can pay the application fee by:

• eftpos or cash at any Westpac bank
• eftpos at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Tenancy Services offices in Auckland, Manukau, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch
• phone or online bank transfer to MBIE Dispute Resolution, please include your surname and initials and the application reference number (you will find this on your paper application form).

Once you’ve completed the form and paid your application fee, send it (with all supporting documents) to:

Tenancy Services
PO Box 76469
Manukau 2241

How much it costs to apply

The application fee is $20.44 (including GST).

If you are the one making the application, you pay the fee. If you’re on a benefit, Work and Income may be able to help you.

If you’re successful, the Tenancy Tribunal can order the other party to pay you the application fee. You need to ask for this when making your application.

If your claim goes to mediation, part of the agreement may be that the other person pays you the application fee.

Making a cross-application

If there’s an application against you, you may also have problems you want to resolve at the same time. If this is the case, you can make your own application. This is called a cross-application.

You need to state this clearly on your application. Then we can try to schedule both applications at the same time.

What happens once you’ve made your application

Once you’ve made your application, we will either:

• offer scheduled mediation
• formalise a FastTrack Resolution application
• schedule a Tribunal hearing.

If we schedule a hearing, you’ll receive a notice of hearing. The notice will include details about the dispute, as well as the hearing date, time, and location.

To view, amend, respond to, or provide more information for an existing application, please log in to your account online:

Amend an existing application(external link)

If your application has already been submitted, you will be able to upload additional supporting documents or add a note to the application. You will not be able to change any existing documents or information that was previously added.

If you sort things out before the hearing

If your dispute gets resolved before the hearing, let us know immediately. Then we can use the hearing time for someone else.

If the hearing is within the next 5 days, contact the relevant district court.

Main locations and courts(external link) — Ministry of Justice

If you withdraw your application, you will not get a refund of the application fee. We will only refund the fee if:

• you made a double payment
• you paid but then didn’t submit your application.