PHOTO: The tenant claimed the house was so depressing it left him feeling “trapped.”
A bitter rental dispute involving drug claims, a leaking ceiling, and a forced eviction has ended with the Tenancy Tribunal ordering a landlord’s widow to pay $6,500 to an ex-tenant — after her late husband booted him out of a rundown Wellington home.
🏚️ The Rental From Hell
What started as a tenancy over two years ago spiralled into a war of words and legal battles.
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The landlord, Ben Po Ching, accused his tenant of unpaid rent and drug use.
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The tenant, whose name is suppressed, fired back that the property was unliveable — plagued by leaks, mould, broken fittings, and no smoke alarms.
The tribunal heard evidence of:
✔️ Water dripping through a ceiling light fitting every time it rained.
✔️ A smelly, wet carpet in the lounge.
✔️ A mouldy, broken shower, faulty toilet, and draughty conditions.
✔️ No extractor fans, poor ventilation, and no smoke alarms.
The tenant claimed the house was so depressing it left him feeling “trapped.”
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🚪 The Eviction Drama
In April 2023, Po Ching told the tenant he owed rent. Soon after, he issued a trespass notice, refusing him entry back into the house.
👉 The tenant only discovered this when another flatmate texted him saying his belongings would be boxed up and left on the street.
He later learned many of his personal items had vanished.
💊 The Drug Allegations
To strengthen his case, Po Ching submitted photos of the tenant’s room, showing:
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Syringes
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Pills
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Marijuana
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A bag of “white powder”
Police were called — but no charges were laid. The tribunal noted the photos were suspiciously timed and highlighted that no meth test documentation was provided.
The tenant insisted the items were not his and alleged they “appeared” when Po Ching was trying to push him out.
Tribunal members found no proof of meth contamination and dismissed the drug claims outright.
⚖️ The Tribunal’s Verdict
The ruling was clear:
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The property failed Healthy Homes Standards.
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The eviction was unlawful.
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The tenant had been denied access to his belongings, causing stress and hardship.
The tribunal awarded:
💰 $2,000 for lack of maintenance
💰 $2,000 for the unlawful termination of tenancy
💰 $1,000 for lost belongings
💰 Total: $6,500 (minus $971 rent arrears)
Because landlord Po Ching died last year, the order is now enforceable against his widow.
📌 The Takeaway
This case shines a spotlight on the ongoing rental crisis in New Zealand, where tenants are often left powerless against landlords renting substandard, unhealthy homes.
The Tribunal had a blunt message: charging rent for a leaky, mouldy, non-compliant house is unlawful — no excuses.
SOURCE: RNZ