Methamphetamine is a Class A controlled drug described in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. If it is used or manufactured at a property, it can leave residue that contaminates the property and may make it unfit for human habitation.

Tenants must not use, sell or manufacture meth in a rental property. This is an unlawful act, and breaches their obligation to not intentionally or carelessly damage the property. Tenants can also be found liable for damage from meth contamination that is caused by their guests.

Landlords must not knowingly rent out properties that are contaminated with meth. Landlords must decontaminate these properties before renting them out.

If you think the use, manufacture, or sale of meth is taking place at a rental property, contact the Police and your local Council.

Methamphetamine and the law — New Zealand Police(external link)

Meth contamination and acceptable levels

Contaminated properties

A property is contaminated if any part of it has meth residue levels above 15µg/100cm² (micrograms per hundred square centimetres). This is based on a 2018 report which suggests that exposure to meth below these levels is unlikely to cause any adverse effects.

If a property is found to be contaminated with meth, the landlord is required to decontaminate it until all parts have meth residue levels of 15µg/100cm² or less.

Uninhabitable properties

A property is uninhabitable if any part of it has meth residue levels above 30µg/100cm². This is the maximum inhabitable level as set out in legislation.

If a property is found to be uninhabitable due to high meth residue levels:

• The landlord is required to decontaminate it until all parts have meth residue levels of 15µg/100cm² or less.
• If these levels of contamination are not limited to only a ‘remote and inconsequential’ part of the property, landlords and tenants can give notice to end the tenancy (if they are not at fault for the contamination).
• If these levels of contamination are found only in a ‘remote and inconsequential’ part of the property, neither landlords nor tenants can immediately end the tenancy. If the tenant is not at fault for the contamination, the rent must reduce to reflect the loss of access to that area.

You can find more details in our guidelines on meth contamination in properties.

Guidelines on meth contamination

Testing and decontamination

If you believe that your rental property is contaminated with meth, you can carry out a screening assessment. This detects the presence of meth residue and shows if more detailed testing is needed.

For a screening assessment to be valid, it must use an approved testing method, and you must follow its instructions correctly. If you are not sure if you can screen a property according to these requirements, you should consider hiring a qualified professional to do this for you.

If a screening assessment shows that the property is contaminated with meth, the landlord is required to arrange for more detailed testing. This may require the landlord to decontaminate the property if the detailed testing produces similar results.

If the property needs to be decontaminated, landlords and tenants should discuss this development accordingly. 

• Tenants are not required to move out while decontamination is taking place.
• Landlords and tenants can discuss possible relocation arrangements, along with any rent reductions. These should be recorded in writing.
• Landlords and tenants should discuss how personal goods should be managed as part of a decontamination process.

You can find more details in our guidelines on meth contamination in properties.

Guidelines on meth contamination