Rental compliance satisfactory

The Southland District Council is satisfied most short-term rental operators in its district are complying with regulations governing guest capacity.

Concerns were raised late last year regarding the possible negative effects of a surge in short-term rentals in areas like Te Anau and Manapouri, driven by the success of online portals such as Airbnb and BookaBach.

In particular, Te Anau residents and business owners had voiced concern over the impact of Airbnb, with a squeeze on rental properties causing staff accommodation problems for some Fiordland businesses.

In a move criticised by Airbnb, neighbouring Queenstown Lakes District Council had also sought public feedback on a proposal to limit short-term, peer-to-peer renting, which would introduce a 28-day-a-year cap in outer residential areas, and 90 days in the centre of the tourist town.

Those going over the limit would need to get resource consent.

Council resource management team leader Marcus Roy said the question of guest limits was also one needing to be taken into consideration by holiday home owners.

‘‘Currently, the Southland District Plan allows visitor accommodation for up to five paying guests without requiring a resource consent.

‘‘This is also the ‘trigger point’ number under the Building Act, beyond which a building consent for a change of use application is required.

‘‘We’re satisfied there is a reasonable level of compliance with these regulations in Te Anau and Manapouri.’’

Compliance was monitored by the council’s resource management department, with no plans to increase monitoring in the light of the burgeoning regional shortterm rental market, Roy said.

‘‘At present, compliance levels and monitoring are anticipated to stay the same. When complaints come through we investigate and advise property owners of their obligations to only accommodate up to five guests or seek the necessary resource and building consents.’’

Periodically, council crosschecked its records against key online portals advertising rentals for more than five guests.

‘‘[Such properties are] subject to the district plan rules. Over the past 18 months there have been a number of resource consents issued for properties in this location to provide visitor accommodation for more than five guests. We’ll be reconciling those consents against the properties advertised again shortly.’’

The ‘‘trigger point’’ of five guests had been established to enable a low level of activity to occur without triggering consents, Roy said.

‘‘The resource consent trigger has been aligned with the Building Act as there are requirements for providing accessible facilities and fire alarms once you exceed five people.

‘‘Also there are insurance implications for property owners.’’