The tenancy tribunal is a special court set up to deal with unresolved problems between landlords and tenants which they have been unable to settle themselves.

A Tenancy Tribunal case normally only comes after mediation between the parties has been attempted and the parties have been unsuccessful at coming to a conclusion.

A tenancy adjudicator oversees the case and makes the decision, which is legally binding on both parties.

The adjudicator listens to both parties, any witnesses and evidence that either party feels is important and makes a decision based on this information and any provisions in the Residential Tenancies Act.

For more information, visit the Ministry of Housing website at www.minhousing.govt.nz/tenancy.