Beneficiary Dazza Ross (42) said stormwater entered his home after last month's heavy rain.
Mr Ross, who has cerebral palsy, said the floodwater outside was above the footrest of his wheelchair.
After a sleepless night, he was told to leave by a HNZ staff member, who visited the house. Mr Ross said he took a bag of essentials with him, leaving most of his possessions behind, including furniture, electronic items and food.
He signed a waiver so property could be removed from the house on the proviso it was looked after.
He stayed at a motel and then with family while the damage was being repaired. The work included new carpet and curtains.
When he returned home, the property removed from the house was piled on the living room floor.
A jar of coffee, which had been in his pantry unopened, was empty on the bench.
A bedside cabinet and the base of his kettle were missing.
''I couldn't even have a cup of tea.''
Among the pile was his 50-inch smart television, covered in bubble wrap.
A technician hired to reinstall his television on the wall discovered it was broken and ''rattled'', as if it had been dropped.
When Mr Ross contacted HNZ, he was told it was not its responsibility and he should contact his insurance company.
He was still paying off the television and his insurance excess would cost him several hundred dollars he could not afford, he said.
''I felt really bad. I felt let down after signing a paper saying they would look after my stuff and they obviously didn't. It has been a nightmare.''
HNZ tenancy services area manager Kate Milton said the flooding affected 12 of its Dunedin properties and ''temporary evacuations'' were required.
HNZ offered to assist affected tenants with furniture removal, storage and other support.
''Four tenants accepted this offer, while the others agreed to take care of their items personally.''
Mr Ross had agreed to have furniture - including his television - removed from his flooded home.
HNZ paid for the furniture removal, storage costs and returning the items.
''We also paid for one week's motel accommodation and associated travel costs for him. After that time, he agreed to stay with family members until he could return to his home.''
His rent account was credited for five weeks and HNZ planned to reimburse the electricity costs during the time.
The independent contractors who moved the property had no knowledge of any damage caused to the television, she said.
''As a goodwill gesture, we have, in this instance, agreed to pay for a replacement,'' Ms Milton said.
Mr Ross said he was pleased HNZ had agreed to replace the television.
The other missing items, he would ''take on the chin'' and not claim insurance or chase HNZ further.shawn.mcavinue@odt.co.nz
