Should I get my rental property tested for meth?

[Jerry56789]

Hi guys

I have some tenants moving into my property in a few weeks, and the agent asked if I want to get a meth test done before they move in.

I thought it was going to be ok to get it tested but then I read somewhere that from a 2018 report it's not really an issue to test for unless police have been raiding the property.

I have just bought the property a few months ago, previous owners were owner occupiers, is it wise to get it tested now? will there be any consequences if the test somehow turns out higher than the 15mcg maximum required?


Thanks for any help

[Alexy]

As far as I know meth testing is not legally compulsory. Read your agreement with insurance company. Most likely that insurance would cover meth contamination cleaning cost without requiring testing. However, it will not cover your liability cost if tenants make a claim for health related damages due to meth contamination. In this case the only bullet proof measure is to do a test before tenants moved in. Please note I am not a lawyer, just sharing some thoughts.

[NESW]

We had our recent purchase tested but only because we bought a neighbouring property and had ''heard'' what their family member was up to.

From that initial test which provides one bulk reading, we had to have a second round of testing and they (All Clear) used the initial samples taken. The second time around they break the levels down into results for each room/areas. (Personally, I thought that was what was happening the first time around = learning curve).

It determines whether it was cooked or consumed and if the results are under the health act regulation levels.

In our case, the readings were spread across the 10 tests (3 bedrooms 1 bathroom house), with a higher reading in a little child's bedroom (grrr). However, it is low enough for us to clean it ourselves.

Our PM advises that re-painting on its own is not enough as it apparently ''leeches'' through the paintwork.

Only do single-use of cleaning wipes/clothes (ie don't keep using the same cloth on various window frames, change clothes with each wall/window) and dispose of in sealed plastic bags.

There is some cleaning product on the market that washes meth (which is my next job to source). Our carpet cleaning company assure us they can clean the carpets in the house to remove any trace too and we have removed the carpet in the person's bedroom. That had a very questionable stain which I was told was some sort of furniture stripper. Hmmm.

After we have finished the tarting up, I will have the basic test undertaken again. At least that is an official starting point for any new tenancy, as well as ends any health concerns the incoming tenant might have too. I presume that should we have to go through this again, next time it will be covered under insurance as we would have established the situation prior to any tenancy.

As far as the police go, I doubt they would even know the property has been sold, and the person has been dealt with through the court system as well. I am uncertain what legal liability All Clear would have to report higher levels to the authorities had that occurred.