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Question Details: I have signed a Tenancy Agreement for 12 months, paid the bond but now I am no longer able to move in due to financial difficulties. Can I get the bond back and cancel the agreement?
Filed under Tenancy | 1440 View(s)
Community Law Wellington & Hutt Valley
You do not have a right to simply cancel a fixed term tenancy agreement. Neither does your landlord. The agreement can only be ended by agreement between you and your landlord, or by an order from the Tenancy Tribunal.
If your circumstances have changed so that you cannot afford to move in, try to negotiate with the landlord. If negotiation does not work, you may apply to the Tenancy Tribunal and ask the Tribunal to terminate your tenancy on grounds of hardship. If the Tenancy Tribunal decides to terminate your tenancy, the Tribunal may, at the same time, award compensation to the landlord. That means you might not get your bond back and you might have to pay more.
For further information you can click here www.dbh.govt.nz and download an information booket "Renting and You". You can also click here for more information about ending a fixed term tenancy early:
www.communitylaw.org.nz.
Answered 6 Aug 2013. The IMPORTANT NOTICE below is part of this answer.
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