Meth – A Real Problem for NZ Landlords

Did you know that a tenant can arrange a meth test of the property without the landlord’s knowledge? And if meth levels are found during the tenancy that is above the Ministry of Health’s minimum levels required for safe occupation, landlords may find themselves in the middle of a nasty battle as to who is liable for the costs of not only the tenants relocation but also the value of the Tenants belongings that have been contaminated.

Did you know that a tenant can arrange a meth test of the property without the landlord’s knowledge? And if meth levels are found during the tenancy that is above the Ministry of Health’s minimum levels required for safe occupation, landlords may find themselves in the middle of a nasty battle as to who is liable for the costs of not only the tenants relocation but also the value of the Tenants belongings that have been contaminated.

As a landlord, it is essential to be aware of the health and safety risks that your rental property could pose to your tenants. Rental homes converted into meth labs are on the rise in New Zealand and have now become one the greatest threats landlords and tenants are facing today.

Police statistics show that “77% of meth labs are found in residential properties.” Police say that meth cooks seek out rental homes specifically for their labs because they would prefer not to use their own homes for production. Consequently, landlords and succeeding tenants across the country are dealing with the repercussions.
South Island meth-tester, Tracey, says that after only a few months of smoking meth, or “P”, chemical particles that cause respiratory problems, headaches, nausea, and a compromised immune system can seep into the surfaces of a home; effectively costing landlords anywhere from $3,000 to $25,000 dollars in decontamination fees.

At Click we include a meth clause as part of our tenancy agreements, which enables us to test for meth in the property before, during and after a tenancy. While it is not a requirement under the new legislative changes to have your rental property tested for meth between tenancies, we feel that having the option to do so lets the tenant know up-front our zero tolerance for meth related activities while providing our owners a higher level of protection.

Making or cooking methamphetamine requires minimal training and experience and limited amounts of equipment and chemicals, both of which are relatively inexpensive. There are many external clues indicating that a meth lab may be present. Some of the common warning signs of a suspected meth lab include:

• Strong odours (acrid, sour, ammonia, solvents, pungent)
• Windows covered with foils or plastics
• Tenants who pay landlords in cash
• Excessive rubbish
• Unusual structures
• Discolouration of soil or driveway

If your tenants are using meth, these are some of the items to look out for when conducting a property inspection:

• Cold tablets
• Lithium batteries
• Antifreeze
• White gas
• Ether
• Starting fluids
• Drain cleaner
• Solvents (paint thinner, acetone, alcohol)
• Plastic bottles with holes near the top

From a health and financial point of view, and for landlords and tenants alike, the dangers of meth are real and may be closer to you than you think; which is why Click takes extra steps to ensure health, safety and financial security. To prevent incidents like these, we consider it best practice to have both an insurance policy that covers for all meth related contamination and to actively meth manage your rental property. Thorough vetting of pre-tenancy applications has also always been the standard procedure at Click where we employ a series of multi-bureau checks to ensure quality tenants.