Fears that all New Zealanders will soon be paying hefty council costs to rent out their holiday homes have prompted a call by the National Party for a law change.
Monday, January 10th 2005, 6:16PM
by The Landlord
It comes after Queenstown Lakes District Council began enforcing a law which says anyone who lets their bach or holiday home to more than four paying guests for less than three months of the year needs resource consent to do so. The consent has a one-off cost of up to $1400.
National Party local government spokesman Nick Smith said National would change the law so that could not happen.
"I think what they have done sets an awful precedent and there is the worry that other councils might follow suit," he said.
"I want to vigorously defend the right of a bach or a holiday home owner to rent their home for as many weeks of the year as they want to without busybody bureaucrats poking their nose in."
