Using sleepout for Airbnb
Question from Chen updated on 28th August 2020:
I am looking at purchasing a property as a rental income investment. This property has a main house and an independent sleepout unit, which has an ensuite and insulation. My question is whether it is legal - and good from an investment perspective - to do a long term rental for the main house and seperate the sleepout for visitor accommodation - eg. AirBnb? Many thanks!
Our expert Bernard Parker responded:
I suggest you check with your local authority regarding your property’s consents. The sleepout may have been consented as a ”granny flat” for use by extended family only, or it may not have been consented at all for accommodation. In both cases you will not be permitted to rent it out as a separate tenancy. Any building that you want to rent under the Residential Tenancies Act must have been consented for use as a separate residence. Airbnb may have its own rules, and to run the sleepout for Airbnb you should also check with your local authority to see what is permitted.
Bernard is principal of Quinovic – Kapiti-Mana. Quinovic's outstanding people and systems provide the most professional, effective and reliable residential property management service in the NZ market for over 30 years.Search the Ask an Expert archive
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