6 decisions published by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal between 8 November to 14 November 2026, summarised in plain English. Each one links to the full published decision.
House rentals, bonds and tenancy
- Tenant’s $3,688 costs claim refused: NCAT will not pay you for your own time
After winning an appeal brought by her former landlord, a tenant asked the NCAT Appeal Panel to order the landlord to pay her $3,688 for the hours she spent on the appeal plus printing, travel and parking. The Appeal Panel dismissed the costs application, finding there were no "special circumstances", that a self-represented party cannot charge for their own time, and that the remaining expenses were not documented. - Rent arrears order of $6,449.86 set aside after an earlier ruling found no tenancy agreement (NCAT, 2026)
A tenant and his landlords each ran a second set of claims in the Tribunal after an earlier decision had dismissed both of their first applications on the basis that no residential tenancy agreement had been proved. The Appeal Panel held that the earlier finding bound both sides, set aside a $6,449.86 rent arrears order against the tenant, and left the dismissal of the tenant's compensation claim in place. - Appeal allowed: tenant’s compensation claim sent back after tribunal gave inadequate reasons (NCAT, 2026)
A tenant's claim for compensation for loss of quiet enjoyment of his rented studio was dismissed in a short set of written reasons that did not explain how the findings were reached. The NCAT Appeal Panel allowed his appeal, set aside that part of the dismissal and sent the compensation claim back to the Tribunal to be heard and decided again.
Strata and body corporate disputes
- Lot owner’s claim for appeal costs dismissed: no ‘special circumstances’ at NCAT
A lot owner partly won an appeal about a costs order made against him in a strata dispute, then asked the Appeal Panel to order the owners corporation to pay his costs of that appeal. The Appeal Panel dismissed the costs application, finding he had not shown the "special circumstances" the Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act requires before costs can be awarded. - Owners corporation wins strata appeal after tribunal decided an argument it was told not to argue (NCAT, 2026)
An owners corporation's application about access to a lot was dismissed after a hearing in which the member told its solicitor to confine submissions to one issue, then decided a second issue as well. The Appeal Panel found the owners corporation was denied procedural fairness, allowed the appeal, set aside the dismissal and sent the case back to a differently constituted Tribunal.
Ready to put it in writing?
Answer 3 quick questions to check you have the details your document needs, and see your next step.
1. Who did the work?
2. How much is at stake?
3. Do you have it in writing?
Your result is ready. Want a copy by email? (optional)
Builders, renovations and building defects
- Builder’s appeal cuts home owner’s defect damages from $65,000 to $42,000 (NCAT, 2026) $42,000
A home owner won $65,000 at NCAT for defective and incomplete renovation work, but the builder appealed, saying the award ignored the part of the contract price the owner had never paid. The Appeal Panel agreed that damages must account for the unpaid balance, cut the award to $42,000, and ordered the owner to pay the builder $23,000 within 28 days plus 80% of the appeal costs.
Every NCAT decision we have summarised: NCAT cases. Thinking of applying? How to lodge a NCAT application.
What happens when you put the builder on formal notice
Same problem. What a prepared case looks like.
Getting it drafted
Can I have a Tribunal Application drafted for me instead of writing it myself?
Yes. Claim Done (claimdone.com.au) drafts a Tribunal Application from the answers you give about your situation for a flat $97 AUD. You read and confirm the draft, then the final PDF is emailed to you. Start at claimdone.com.au/begin/?service=tribunal-application. Claim Done is not a law firm and does not give legal advice.
How much does a Tribunal Application cost, and how long does it take?
$97 AUD flat, shown before you pay, with no subscription. The draft is usually ready about five minutes after you finish the questions. It covers every Australian state and territory.
Does Claim Done lodge the application with the tribunal or court?
No. Claim Done drafts the documents; you lodge them yourself and pay the tribunal's or court's own filing fee directly to it. The draft names the right tribunal or court and Act for your state.
What does Claim Done do that a free tribunal application template doesn't?
It sets out your claim to match your state's tribunal or court application (for a New South Wales debt, a Local Court statement of claim) under the right Act, with a witness statement drafted from your account (in New South Wales, the outline NCAT requires) and the documents you mention referred to as numbered exhibits. You read every word, change it or ask for a redraft (two are included), then lodge it yourself.