A private investigator is gathering evidence on Christchurch residents who ignore notices banning them from entering dangerous homes.
Christchurch City Council has confirmed it hired the investigator to gather proof of occupancy in red-stickered homes in the hill suburbs.
The council has issued some 500 notices prohibiting entry to Port Hills' homes after geotechnical experts found there was a risk of residents being hurt or killed from rockfall or other geotechnical issues.
The council's regulations and democracy general manager, Peter Mitchell, said when residents were found to have ignored notices, the council had to proceed with enforcement.
"We must be able to prove that people are living at these addresses in order to go ahead with enforcement, we can not rely on anecdotal information.
