Home available for World Cup - for a cool $120,000

Danny Gelb plans to take his family to Europe for eight weeks while they rent out their home to well-heeled rugby fans. Photo / Paul Estcourt

There is still 18 months to go - but sharp homeowners are already queuing up to rent out their properties during the Rugby World Cup.

And wealthy visitors can enjoy a personal chef, host and driver as long as they are willing to stump up the cash. One home is being advertised for $120,000 for two months.

Danny Gelb plans to take his wife and three young children to Europe in September and October next year while he rents out his Orakei home.

"Some people say it's ridiculous asking for that amount of money," Mr Gelb told the Weekend Herald. "But for someone wanting these resources, price is not an issue."

Mr Gelb said the ad for his five-bedroom 454sq m home with pool had already attracted several inquiries.

The package also comes with a corporate host, a housekeeper, airport transfers and use of a Mercedes.

"We are aiming for the absolute top end of the market. It's extremely small, but lucrative," Mr Gelb said.

"With the quality of this place, I don't want a bunch of party animals."

More than 60,000 visitors are expected to descend on NZ for the 44-day tournament, which is forecast to boost the economy by $1.15 billion.

More than $600 million of new hotel rooms and serviced apartments are planned and Rugby World Cup bosses are also organising temporary accommodation on cruise ships.

However, that is still unlikely to be enough to cater for all the visitors, leaving an opportunity for homeowners.

A two-bedroom waterfront apartment in Parnell is advertised online for a minimum of 14 nights at $1000 per night from September 1 next year. The ad tells of "harbour views" and "easy access to Eden Park".

But Sue Robinson, managing director of the 80 Minute Game, a firm set up to organise private accommodation during the Cup, said some homeowners had unrealistic expectations about how much they might earn.

"We have one group of visitors looking for somewhere for two months and they are hoping to pay about $2000 a week - but some are expecting $8000 to $10,000 a week for their homes.

"Yes, people want to leverage off the World Cup but they should not be expecting to extort money from it."

The company has about 75 homes on its books and almost 20 groups looking for places to stay.

Ms Robinson expects this will grow rapidly when tickets go on sale.

She predicts supply will grow as the competition gets closer, which she believes will probably drive prices down.

Meanwhile, Mr Gelb said he would not be put off by suggestions that his asking price is too high.

"Some people are offering a house - I'm offering the complete package," he said.

"For a two-bedroom unit at one of the country's best luxury lodges you'd pay $1700 a night, so for what I'm offering the price compares well."

WHAT $120,000 WILL BUY YOU

* Eight weeks' accommodation in a five-bedroom Orakei home with swimming pool.
*A corporate host, personal chef, house-keeper, groundsman and driver.
*A 7-seater Mercedes, lifts to the games and airport transfers.