A Christchurch real estate agent says not all earthquake-damaged properties written off by insurers are dangerous to live in and he has already sold five.
Concerns have been raised at a Christchurch City Council committee meeting this week about an increase in unsafe houses being put on the rental market.
Peter McCallum said just because a house has been written off by an insurer, does not mean it is unsafe, and it may be cheaper for an insurer to give the owner a cash payout than repair the house.
Mr McCallum said he has sold five 'as is where is' properties to people who planned to rent them out.
He is not aware of unsafe homes being sold, but said it may well be happening in the private sales market.
