Methamphetamine is a Class A controlled drug described in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. It is a highly addictive stimulant, and its use carries significant health risks.

If meth is used or manufactured at a property, this can leave residue that contaminates the property and may make it unfit for human habitation.

The Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (the Act) sets out what happens if a property is suspected or found to be contaminated. This includes landlords’ responsibilities in relation to contaminated properties.

Residential Tenancies Act 1986 – New Zealand Legislation(external link)

New meth regulations as of April 2026

In early 2026, new regulations were set out to clarify:

• when a property is considered contaminated with meth
• when a property is considered uninhabitable due to meth contamination
• what to do when a property is found to be contaminated with meth.

These new methamphetamine regulations will come into force on 16 April 2026.

New meth regulations as of April 2026

Until the new regulations come into force, landlords and tenants must continue to follow the current information on this page.

Landlords must not rent out properties that create health risks

Landlords must not knowingly rent out properties contaminated with meth. Landlords must decontaminate those properties before renting these out.

If a tenanted property is found to be contaminated with meth, the landlord may continue to rent out the property only if it is being decontaminated.

Landlords who rent out contaminated properties may be breaching their obligations under the Act. They may also be breaching other legislation such as the Building Act 2004 and the Health Act 1956.

Tenants must not use or manufacture meth

Using, possessing, selling and manufacturing meth are offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. Tenants who smoke, sell or manufacture meth in a rental property are using the property for an unlawful purpose. This is a breach of the Act.

Tenants who cause meth contamination are also breaching their obligation to not intentionally or carelessly damage the property. Tenants can be found liable for damage from meth contamination caused by a tenant or their guests.

The Tenancy Tribunal may order tenants who have used a rental property for an unlawful purpose to pay damages of up to $1,800.

Meth testing

Landlords can test for meth contamination during a tenancy. They need to provide the correct notice before they or their contractors enter the property.

Inspections

Landlords must tell their tenants if they are testing for meth. Landlords must also provide all of the tenants with the results in writing within 7 days of receiving these.

Landlords can include additional clauses related to meth testing in the tenancy agreement before the tenancy starts. Any additional clauses must comply with the Act.

Landlords can better support a claim to recover the cost of meth testing and decontamination if:

• at the beginning of the tenancy, the property was tested and showed no trace of meth or meth contamination
• additional clauses related to meth testing and decontamination are included in the tenancy agreement and agreed upon by the tenants, and
• a meth testing result during or after the tenancy indicates a higher than acceptable level for meth contamination.

Testing and decontamination of methamphetamine-contaminated properties — Standards New Zealand(external link)

Adding conditions to the tenancy agreement

If you suspect or find evidence of meth use in a property

If you think a property is being used for meth use, manufacture, or sale, contact the Police and your local Council.

More information about meth and the law, including important safety steps — New Zealand Police(external link)

New Zealand methamphetamine standard

The Act does not currently state what level of meth contamination is acceptable for health reasons in a rental property. This will be set out in new methamphetamine regulations that will come into force on 16 April 2026.

New meth regulations as of April 2026

Until then, there are 2 sources of information which have different views about what level of contamination creates a health risk. Both of these can be used as guidance to assist landlords and tenants.

Tenancy Tribunal

Before deciding whether to take a meth-related claim to the Tenancy Tribunal, you should consider all available information. This includes:

• the New Zealand Standard
• the Chief Science Advisor's report
• Tribunal decisions – recent decisions allow a landlord to see how the Tribunal considers contamination levels
• Other court decisions.

You should also consider:

• when the testing and decontamination took place
• what evidence there is of methamphetamine manufacture or use in the premises 
• how to satisfy the Tribunal that the premises were not contaminated before the tenancy started

We also encourage you to seek independent legal advice and speak to your insurance company.

Tenancy Tribunal decisions — Ministry of Justice website(external link)