A New Zealand tenant, Yuriko Unno, has been ordered to pay over $50,000 to her former landlord following the discovery of methamphetamine use by her boyfriend in her apartment. Initially, the Tenancy Tribunal awarded damages to both parties; however, the landlord’s appeal to the district court resulted in a reversal of this decision. The court concluded that the tenant’s boyfriend had caused considerable intentional damage, significantly surpassing normal wear and tear, due to meth consumption. Despite Unno’s claims of ignorance regarding the drug use and her subsequent assault by her boyfriend, who is now incarcerated for assault and drug possession, the tribunal held her accountable, as the Residential Tenancies Act states tenants are responsible for the actions of people they permit on the premises. The decontamination of the apartment incurred costs exceeding $88,000, mostly covered by insurance, with $14,000 paid by the tenant. The tribunal then mandated Unno to reimburse her landlord for this amount and for lost rent, culminating in a total payment of $50,039.34 through weekly installments.
