The Tenancy Tribunal is facing a growing backlog of cases, with average hearing wait times stretching to ten weeks, up from six weeks in 2021. The recently released 2024 Tenancy Tribunal Annual Report, published by Principal Tenancy Adjudicator Brett Carter, provides valuable insight into the state of rental dispute resolution in New Zealand.
The most pressing issue remains the delay in securing a Tribunal hearing. The current ten-week average is largely attributed to a spike in applications following the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite improvements in technology and transparency, the Tribunal is still under immense pressure to keep up with demand.
The data shows a notable drop in rent arrears applications during the 2020 and 2021 lockdowns. This wasn’t due to improved tenant payment behaviour but rather temporary changes to the Residential Tenancies Act, including:
- A national rent freeze
- An eviction ban
- Extended notice periods
These emergency measures made it difficult for landlords to lodge arrears claims, significantly reducing Tribunal workload at the time.
The Tribunal has made strides with FastTrack Resolution, which allows landlords and tenants to formalise agreements on rent arrears, bond disputes, or water payments without a formal hearing. However, uptake remains low due to limited public awareness. Promoting FastTrack more widely could help resolve thousands of simple cases without clogging the system.
* Learn more about how to apply for FastTrack Resolution
Encouragingly, 52% of hearings are now conducted remotely, a shift that saves time, reduces costs, and increases accessibility for both landlords and tenants. As more applications are made online, this trend is likely to continue, offering a scalable solution for managing growing demand.
In 2024, 29,309 applications were made to the Tribunal, but over a quarter were resolved at mediation, with nearly 90% of those settled successfully. This proves that early intervention is key – property managers and landlords who proactively engage in dispute resolution can often avoid a hearing altogether.
* See how mediation works in tenancy disputes
The Tribunal has begun issuing “decisions on the papers” – rulings made without a hearing when evidence is clear and uncontested. However, this is still cautiously applied. Expanding this option, particularly for straightforward rent arrears cases, could speed up decisions and free up adjudicator time for more complex matters.
Looking forward, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in dispute resolution is worth exploring. AI tools trained on historical tenancy decisions could assist adjudicators in handling simple claims, such as bond refunds or rent arrears, provided natural justice is upheld. While technology will never replace human empathy, it could significantly increase Tribunal efficiency and consistency.
The Tenancy Tribunal’s increased transparency and tech adoption are welcome developments, but more can be done. Faster processing of simple claims, better promotion of alternative dispute resolution, and exploration of AI tools could transform how tenancy disputes are handled in New Zealand.
Collaboration between stakeholders – including property managers, landlords, tenants, and the Tribunal itself – is crucial to building a fairer, faster, and more efficient system for all.
👉 Want the full picture? Read the Tenancy Tribunal’s latest Annual Report here
