Landlord ignored ban, rented leaky Auckland home – fined $2000

An Auckland landlord banned from renting out homes that weren't weathertight has been fined $2000 after he let a tenant move into a rundown North Shore property.

Leng Minn Kit pleaded guilty in the North Shore District Court to breaching a three-year restraining order issued by the Tenancy Tribunal in October 2024. He was convicted on September 4 and fined $2000 plus court costs.

Prosecutors said Kit had granted a tenancy at his North Shore rental in June 2025, while the property was in poor repair and not weathertight.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's tenancy compliance and investigations team brought the charge. The court refused any reduction in sentence, and emphasised landlords had to meet their responsibilities and keep tenants safe.

Investigations team national manager Brett Wilson said Kit had let down more than one tenant.

"Tenants deserve homes that are safe, healthy and properly maintained. In this case, more than one tenant has had to endure sub-standard housing due to Mr Kit's failure to meet his obligations," he said.

He said it wasn't the first time Kit had ignored the rules.

"Mr Kit has previously failed to comply with an improvement notice issued by MBIE and has now breached a restraining order issued by the Tenancy Tribunal. Landlords should be clear that non-compliance has consequences, including criminal prosecution."

In a separate decision in August, the Tenancy Tribunal ordered Kit to pay more than $11,000 in compensation, exemplary damages and costs for failing to comply with work orders.

The tribunal awarded the maximum amount of exemplary damages, with no discounts or deductions, and issued further work orders requiring the property to be made weathertight.

Kit has appealed that decision to the district court, where the appeal was still pending.

More on this topic

Tenant preferred prison return over stay in 'disgusting' flat

The tenant gave evidence to the Tenancy Tribunal which included highlighting faecal matter on the bed, wet carpet, and a "disgusting" kitchen.

New Zealand

Mon, Apr 13

1:30

TV star's property firm fined over tenancy law breaches

Pru Morrell, of TVNZ's Renters, is the sole director of Good Girls Property Management.

New Zealand

Mon, Sep 28

1:32

Wilson said MBIE would keep watching landlords after the tribunal ruled against them.

"This latest case shows a Tenancy Tribunal order is not always the end of the process.The tenancy compliance and investigations team will continue to monitor compliance and where landlords fail to comply with restraining orders, we will take further action. Intentionally contravening a restraining order issued by the Tenancy Tribunal is a criminal offence."