It’s the law

Richard Woodd, who is the President of the Taranaki Property Investors Association (TIPA), advocates in favour of short-term rentals because ‘‘you don’t have to comply with the new tenancy laws and regulations’’ and he is against council implementing regulations around short-term rentals operating as commercial enterprises in residential zones.

TPIA’s Code of Ethics states that: ‘‘Members should at all times ensure they comply with the laws relating to the owning, managing and renting of property.’’ One can’t opt out of legislated requirements. The Building Act, Section 114, states that if there is a ‘‘change of use’’ of the property then the local authority has to be notified. Section 115 refers to ‘‘change of use’’ properties having to comply with regulations around ‘‘means of escape from fire, sanitary facilities and fire-rating performance’’. Not unreasonably.

Locally, resource consent is required to operate a business in a residential area. It’s the law.

Woodd would complain if an unregulated baker opened up next door to his residence. Why should unregulated accommodation be viewed differently? Council has proposed a 90-day-a yearcap on short-term rentals. This covers Womad, Americana, all of the January holiday season and the Tattoo and Garden Festivals. The notion that visitor numbers will decline if regulation is applied is nonsense. Or, submit a resource consent and change of use application, pay commercial rates and insurance, comply with the legislative requirements, get a building warrant of fitness and trade for 365 days a year. Let’s not fall for the drama put forward by those that want to opt out of the existing legislation whilst claiming victim status.

Brett Brennen, New Plymouth