Concerns Canterbury town will be ‘overrun’ with Airbnbs

A concerned Methven resident is warning of a potential surge in Airbnb owners disregarding regulations and taking over residential neighborhoods.

Paul Dixey is urging the council to take action before the situation escalates in the Canterbury town.

Located just over an hour’s drive from Christchurch, Methven is a popular destination for skiers and holidaymakers.

Dixey highlighted that out of the 15 properties in his new subdivision, three are being listed for short-term rental accommodation.

“The industry requires stricter regulation,” Dixey emphasized. “If immediate action is not taken, I fear it will spiral out of control, and then it will be challenging to contain.”

He questioned the fairness of properties paying residential rates to the council while operating as commercial establishments.

“This issue needs to be addressed, especially when nearby hotels are facing hefty fees to operate as commercial accommodation providers.”

The surge in holiday rentals has raised concerns nationwide, prompting councils to explore ways to regulate the industry.

There are approximately 290 Airbnb listings in Mid Canterbury.

Ian Hyde, compliance and development group manager at Ashburton District Council, acknowledged the need to address the growing impact of short-term rentals in the area.

“Council staff are currently examining these issues and reviewing strategies implemented by other councils,” Hyde stated. “A workshop is scheduled with councillors this month to discuss the broader topic of Airbnb in our district.”

Hyde clarified that the district plan permits visitor accommodation for up to five guests as a permitted activity.

“Any property advertising for more than five guests must cease operations or obtain a resource consent to continue,” he explained.

The council refrains from commenting on specific enforcement cases but investigates any non-compliance issues.

“In some instances, individuals apply for consent once they realize that their activities require approval,” Hyde added. “While the council has the authority to enforce district plan regulations under the Resource Management Act, we prefer to collaborate with individuals to address concerns.”

Dixey expressed concerns about the lack of enforcement of regulations thus far.

“We have no issue with accommodating up to five guests, but one property has been promoting space for up to 12 individuals,” he noted.

While most groups are respectful, there is always a risk of one disruptive group causing issues, Dixey pointed out.

Since rental owners are not present on-site, they are unable to monitor the number of guests or their behavior effectively, he added.

One property owner has applied for retroactive land use consent to operate visitor accommodation for up to 11 guests, limited to 90 nights per year.

Dixey warned that this precedent could lead to residential areas being overwhelmed by temporary accommodations.

“If every house on the street applies for Airbnb consent, it could potentially transform the entire area into a commercial accommodation zone,” Dixey cautioned. “The current zoning regulations may become obsolete.”

– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.