

Sensible discretion will be applied to unconsented tiny homes and other structures erected since the earthquakes, Christchurch Council says.

Many residents have used shipping containers to store their belongings while repairs are made to their damaged homes.

Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski

But the council has received a number of complaints about unsightly containers blocking views or obstructing council berms.

Chair of the council's regulation and consents committee David East told Nine to Noon that Christchurch probably had more shipping containers and road cones than anywhere else in the world.

He believed that once work on a property was completed, the containers were usually removed.

But he acknowledged there were still a number that were causing problems for some neighbours.

"We are experiencing a number of complaints from residents, adjacent residents, about these sorts of facilities that have lingered on."

He said if uncompliant structures remained on a property, people would be given a notice to fix them before the council would take any action.

Mr East said each complaint would be reviewed on a case by case basis and they would apply discretion.

The same approach by council would also apply to tiny homes, that are cheap to build and can be moved easily on trailers.

Mr East said if a tiny home was connected to the sewer or other services, it would require a consent.

But he said no single case had set a precedence and the council would look at each case as it cropped up.