The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority is advising red zone residents to register their details to ensure access to their homes is not delayed by the demolition of buildings.
The authority is still waiting to hear from many residents and is urging them to register by the end of May.
So far, 230 residents have entered properties in the red zone, compared with about 4000 business owners.
Once buildings are approved by a structural engineer, residents will have up to three hours to collect personal items.
