We haven’t created a plain language version of this legislation yet. We’re working through New Zealand’s laws to make them more accessible to everyone, focusing on areas that impact the most people first.

If you’d like to see this particular legislation explained in plain language, please email us at hello@ackama.com with the subject “Plain language law” and mention this page — we’ll be happy to add it to our priority list.

Request a plain language version

Part 5Miscellaneous provisions

137AOnly 1 penalty type for same conduct

If a type of penalty described in subsection (2) is imposed on a person in relation to conduct relating to a tenancy, the other type of penalties described in that subsection cannot be imposed on the person in relation to the same conduct.
The types of penalty are—
a fine, an infringement fee, or a term of imprisonment under this Act or any other Act:
an order to pay a pecuniary penalty under this Act:
an order to pay an amount in the nature of exemplary damages under this Act.

The imposition of a penalty described in subsection (2) on a person does not affect or limit the person’s liability to pay damages or compensation (other than an amount in the nature of exemplary damages) in relation to the same conduct.

Notes

Section 137A: inserted, on 11 February 2021, by section 73 of the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2020 (2020 No 59).