Leaving home for tourists

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More Nelsonians are renting out their homes over the summer months to make some extra cash, as demand for more homely accommodation increases.

Nelson has about six holiday home management companies and they say people will rent out their own homes over the New Year period for various reasons, but mainly to make some extra money.

Auckland-based Bachcare has just announced that it has expanded its management of holiday homes and baches, to Nelson. Bachcare says while holiday homes and baches are the key part of their business nationwide, in Nelson people are more likely to rent out their own home and they can earn some big money for it.

“It is a great way for owners to earn more money. Owners can typically expect to earn nearly $10,000 in rental income, just from renting it during the summer months,” says Bachcare Nelson manager, Victoria Goode.

Nelson woman Vairi Hikuroa agrees and says for the past two years her young family have moved out of their small, three-bedroom home in Tahunanui for a few weeks over Christmas. She says they went camping while people were in their home and they made $180 per night.

“That money enabled us to be able to go on holiday and have a good time. It was definitely worth it and a good way to take advantage of where we live.”

Jarrod Buchanan, owner of Holiday Homes Nelson, says he started his business in 2008 and since then there has been an increase in the number of homes he looks after and they include homes that are worth up to $1.5 million.

“We have some beautiful homes on the Port Hills or along the Maitai in the city, which is a different experience for those renting it. But we also have other homes that are basically a roof over your head but more comfortable than a motel or camping ground.”

He says people can charge between $150 to $500 a night for their homes and for many that makes a big difference.

“We have people who need the income just to get by. They look at the summer as an opportunity to go and camp and allow people to come and use their homes.

“And we have others with their magnificent homes but they might be elderly and they just don’t have an income to pay their rates and their insurance bills, so this is a godsend for people in that situation.”

He says other reasons include some who may be going on their own holiday and like the security that having someone in their home offers. The money can also pay for their own holiday.

Lynda Keene from Nelson Tasman Tourism says she’s not surprised by the comments and that the industry has noticed a big shift to private accommodation over the past decade.