DCC warns shortterm let owners of their obligations

ABOUT 150 Dunedin property owners who let their entire premises shortterm through websites such as Airbnb are about to receive a letter from the Dunedin City Council checking their homes comply with the Building Act and district plan.

The letter was sent after the Otago Motel Association ‘‘dobbed in’’ these properties, sending a list of 230 premises to the council.

The association has done something similar in Queenstown, and spokesman Neville Butcher said he was pleased the council had followed up.

‘‘A lot of these premises being let are noncompliant and therefore need resource consent to operate in that space, and they have not done so,’’ Mr Butcher said.

‘‘All we are saying is that they need to go through the right channels and make sure they are doing things above board.’’

He said the motel association’s list had been compiled from website listings.

Shortterm rentals had to meet several requirements, including complying with fire codes and having proper access to bathrooms and cooking facilities, Mr Butcher said.

Council community services general manager Simon Pickford said the council was not acting on the association’s behalf, but it was obliged to act on complaints from members of the public.

The council letter set out the owner’s obligations under the Building Act and district plan if the property was being let out shortterm, Mr Pickford said.

‘‘We’ve said if they are, they should get in touch.

‘‘That’s the tone of the letter. It’s not any more than that.’’

If someone failed to respond, many issues could arise, including insurance cover, Mr Pickford said.

The council is considering a change in rating categories to encompass shortterm rentals.