Here’s how to avoid it…
The Problem – meth contamination creates uncertainty
- Concern about meth residues creates uncertainty and uncertainty frustrates sales
- Problems with meth in New Zealand are increasing
- Recently published research* confirms people can experience adverse health effects living in meth affected property:
- There were no discernible differences between health effects from living in properties contaminated from former manufacture or use
*Environmental Methamphetamine Exposures and Health Effects in 25 Case Studies
What to do about it?
The Solution – minimise uncertainty
If meth is present, the timing of the meth test and who gets it done, does not alter the result. But, the timing of that test can profoundly affect the harm caused by the use and manufacture of meth.
Vendors/Sellers
If you do not account for meth risk when selling:
- You are exposed to the risk of a buyer getting a meth test done which returns a positive results,
- undermining the ability to sell the property, and
- compromising value
- You may decide to paint the house before taking it to market.
- Painting does not get rid of meth.
- Painting does increase the cost and complexity of addressing meth residues.
- Painting does increase the uncertainty that arises if low levels of meth are detected.
Determining if Meth is a problem in a property costs as little as $200
Buyers
If you unknowingly take on a meth affected property:
- you have no insurance – all of the costs to fix up a property will come out of your pocket
- Detailed testing alone (to confirm a meth problem) costs $2-3000+
- You will not be able to get insurance until problematic meth residues are resolved
- You will not be able to rent a property out until problematic meth residues are resolved
Determining if Meth is a problem in a property costs as little as $200
Next Steps for Vendors/Sellers
Get a screening assessment completed before you go to market and/or start your renovations. You may have recourse to insurance, which reduces the direct cost of fixing existing meth problems.
- Resolve any issues identified and take to market with confidence
- If no issues, take to market with confidence
Next Steps for Buyers
- Ask if a screening test has been done and if so what the result was
- Get a screening assessment in your name so you can rely on it if you buy the property
- Work with the vendor to get issues resolved to your satisfaction
