[Christopher]

I’m a landlord, and even when I’ve dotted all my Is and crossed all my Ts I dread going to the tribunal. They seem very tenant bias and I believe it’s political (labor government in power). Even when the Tenants didn’t show up at a hearing, it felt like what I was after wasn’t going to be granted. It was, after a long ordeal where I had to explain myself, like why would I want to occupy my own property… etc. etc.

At least that was my experience with trying to obtain a warrant of possession. However I don’t have much experience with bond disputes.

If you’re up to date in rent, and the landlords been sloppy with issuing rent receipts, invoices and in other areas, I think you’re in a very good position. Being up to date with the rent is evidence that you’re acting in good faith. If you can show evidence that you tried to remedy the concerns of the landlord, that will help.

They need to provide invoices for all their claims against the bond, except for missing rent. I’d try to limit your arguments to what you evidence for. It’s sounds like your ex-landlord maybe unprofessional enough to lose the hearing by themselves, so you don’t need to exaggerate or fabricate anything, just stick to the tangible facts and it’ll work out.

Instances of harassment, privacy invasion, or threatening behaviour by the landlord constituting breaches of the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 may be presented during a bond dispute hearing if they influenced the end of the tenancy or led to a claim or counterclaim. Perhaps their behaviour prevented you from being able to remedy some of their concerns. However I wouldn’t make it your main argument as its mostly a separate issue.. perhaps a civil matter for later.

Main thing is showing that you made an effort to act in good faith and the landlord was unreasonable.