Holiday beckons for fugitives from rugby madness

Dorinda Paddy and Chris Stevens. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Chris Stevens does not want to be in Auckland during the Rugby World Cup, so plans to rent out his four-bedroom house and make some extra money.

"We're in earshot and eyeshot of Eden Park and we've got a four-bedroom house for just myself and my partner. So we thought we would take advantage of the lack of properties that's been reported."

Mr Stevens decided to rent his Grey Lynn home during the World Cup because he does not particularly like rugby and would rather avoid the hype that surrounds it.

"If I had the choice of being overseas on holiday or standing in Auckland with 100,000 rugby fans tearing around, I think I'd rather not be here."

While his Grey Lynn house is occupied during the Cup, he and his partner, Dorinda Paddy, intend to take a holiday overseas.

"I'm not too sure where we'll go. I've got some friends in Australia so it might be a week there. Or it might be an extended surf trip to Fiji - it'll be something we wouldn't do normally."

Mr Stevens, an interior designer, listed his house on gorugbyhomes.co.nz three weeks ago but has not yet received any formal offers.

However, he is confident it will be rented out as the demand for accommodation increases closer to the World Cup.

His listing states the four-bedroom villa can accommodate up to eight people and is advertised for $6000 to $10,000 a week, but Mr Stevens is flexible on the price and how long guests stay.

"I don't really know what people want; whether it will be the week of the finals or the whole time [the World Cup] runs for."

He based the price on what other people were charging in their area, he said. "It might possibly be over-inflated, but we thought aim high and see where we get to in the end."