A change in the consideration of visitor accommodation is expected to be welcomed by ratepayers in the Queenstown Lakes District who rent their properties for holiday accommodation.

"As the District Plan stands consent is required from anyone wanting to rent their residential unit as visitor accommodation, even just for a couple of days. The council recognised this was a problem and has been working on a solution," QLDC senior policy analyst Scott Figenshow said.

A lot of work had been done to consult with the community on issues and options and an evaluation of alternatives undertaken."We looked at five options before settling on the preferred option as being the most effective and appropriate," he said.

The Plan Change would define visitor accommodation as, 'where the length of stay for any visitor is less than 28 consecutive days at any time'. The District Plan currently defines it as being 'up to three months'.

Basically, the Plan Change would provide an exclusion from the definition that would allow people to rent out their homes for one period of less than 28-days a year, without any requirement for consent. If a residential unit was let for more than 28 consecutive days then it was not considered visitor accommodation.

"This will really help clearly define what needs consent and what doesn't. Effectively the people operating commercially will need consent and those simply wanting to rent their homes once a year, won't,"Mr Figenshow said.

The Plan Change would be considered by the strategy committee on Wednesday.

"If it meets with the committee's approval then it will go to full council at the end of the month for adoption. If that occurs it will be notified shortly thereafter," Mr Figenshow said.

As the issue of visitor accommodation affected the entire district, every ratepayer would receive individual notice of the Plan Change.

"The community will be asked to have its say on this Plan Change. Once it's notified they will be able to make a submission, which is followed by notification of all the submissions, a hearing and notification of the final decision," Mr Figenshow said.

It was expected the Plan Change, if adopted by council, would be notified in October.

ENDS

For further information please contact Scott Figenshow 03 441 0499.

By: Tamah