Immunity at issue in rent row

The European Union has been asked to waive immunity for a diplomat owing Wellington landlords $20,000.

The issue comes down to a $1500-per-week house Delegation of the European Union deputy chief of mission Eva Tvarozkova rented in the hills above Wellington Harbour but moved out of early with unpaid rent and some damage to the house.

The Tenancy Tribunal case has become entangled in international law because Tvarozkova has diplomatic immunity, which includes immunity from the tribunal.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Mfat) confirmed it had tried to get the European Union (EU) to waive Tvarozkova’s immunity. The EU has yet to respond to the request.

A spokeswoman for the Delegation of the EU in Wellington – where Tvarozkova still works – would not comment yesterday because of concerns around diplomatic immunity protocol.

The concerns also mean Tvarozkova cannot comment.

Tvarozkova had rented 61 Pretoria Rd, Karaka Bays, off Rebecca Van Den Bos and Matthew Ryan.

A Tenancy Tribunal order shows Tvarozkova was told to pay $14,314 to the landlords in unpaid rent, as well as other incidentals. Her $6000 bond was also to be handed over.

That order showed the ‘‘high quality’’ rental was charged out at $1500 per week and the fixed term rental ended in September 2018 but Tvarozkova left early. She did not appear at the Tenancy Tribunal hearing.

Ryan, one of the landlords, said it had been a problematic tenancy.