One person who recently visited the home said there was about 22 mattresses in total.

A tenant allegedly using his five-bedroom home to host more than 20 backpackers is facing an investigation by the Christchurch City Council and his landlord.

Neighbours say the Olliviers Rd, Phillipstown, home is full of backpackers with people "flying in and out". The property manager says the house is overcrowded and has issued a warning to the tenant who refuses to comment.

Photos show at least four mattresses in one bedroom. One person who recently visited the home said there were about 22 mattresses in total. During a visit to the home on Wednesday, several tourists were seen coming and going from the house. About 10 cars were counted on the property with some parked in the lane alongside the boundary fence.

FAIRFAX NZ Neighbours say the Olliviers Rd home is full of backpackers with people "flying in and out".

Eddie Wongeoon, who owns property management company Wongeoon Vast, said the property was only tenanted for eight people. He said he received a complaint on June 7, saying the home was being used as a backpackers and was overcrowded with people living in vans.

Wongeoon then called the tenant, who said there was "no validity" to the claims.

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SUPPLIED At least four mattresses are seen in one bedroom.

After seeing photos from inside the house, Wongeoon said he needed to do a "big investigation" and would be inspecting the property next week.

"It would be shocking to have 20 people living there . . . how can it be possible to put 10 beds in one room.

"It's really surprising to me there are so many cars on the premises. I am convinced there is overcrowding here."

FAIRFAX NZ About 10 cars were counted on the property with some parked in the lane alongside the boundary fence.

Wongeoon said he would contact the tenant and remind him the maximum number of tenants was eight and would submit an application to the Tenancy Tribunal if the breach continued.

A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said the tenant told her there were only eight people living in the home.

"I reckon [he] is doing a cagey thing . . . it's definitely backpackers, they all have backpacks on, they ask us where the backpackers is and their cars are full of blankets and bags.

"I reckon there's more than 20 [people] in there, they are like birds flying in and out . . . he hasn't only got eight people in there, he thinks we are silly."

Christchurch Tenants' Protection Association educator and advisor Lisa Coulter said the tenant could potentially be open to damages at the Tenancy Tribunal.

"If it was supposed to be a residential tenancy and they have that tenancy contract and then they've gone on and used the property for a purpose it wasn't leased to him for."

A Christchurch City Council spokeswoman said the council had not received any complaints about the home but planned to investigate.