{
  "id": 2465238,
  "title": "Christchurch city councillor calls for bed register to crack down on unapproved Airbnbs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/christchurch-city-councillor-calls-for-bed-register-to-crack-down-on",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-22T00:33:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RNZ Business",
    "slug": "rnz-business",
    "url": "https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/1080086/christchurch-city-councillor-calls-for-bed-register-to-crack-down-on-unapproved-airbnbs"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Christchurch's Councillor Nathaniel Hertz Jardine has proposed a bed register to regulate short-term rentals, particularly Airbnbs, in the city. The suggestion follows a recent Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment ruling requiring multi-unit or apartment owners to seek permission before converting residential properties into holiday or short-term rental units. Jardine argues that the ruling strengthens the council's stance that a national bed register is necessary to effectively monitor and enforce regulations on unapproved short-stay accommodation. He notes that the current issue lies in the city's inability to identify properties used for short-term rentals without proper permissions. Jardine emphasizes that the bed register would simplify this process by providing councils with direct data from platforms like Airbnb. He also highlights safety concerns, as hotel and motel operators have raised issues regarding accessibility and fire safety compliance in unregistered short-stay rentals. The council will await appeals on the ruling before deciding on further action to enforce safety standards across all Airbnb units in the city. Regardless of the ruling, Jardine stresses the need for central government assistance in the form of a bed register, bed tax, and improved zoning rules to better control the growth and use of our city.",
  "summary": "The call comes after MBIE backed a ruling that owners needed permission before using residential properties as holiday or short-term rentals.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}