Methamphetamine (meth or "P") is an illegal class A drug. Residential properties can become contaminated with methamphetamine residue if the drug is manufactured or smoked heavily in the property. This contamination can persist for a long time and subsequent tenants may be exposed to unsafe levels of methamphetamine until the house is decontaminated.
If a landlord rents out a property that they know is contaminated by methamphetamine, they are breaching their obligations under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (s 45(1)(bd) and (1AAB)(a) RTA). They may also be breaching other legislation such as the Building Act 2004 and the Health Act 1956.
Knowingly renting out a contaminated property is an illegal act and the landlord can be fined up to $7,200 (as at 1 March 2026) and may also be ordered to pay other costs (s 45(1A), Schedule 1A RTA). However, the RTA protects landlords from liability if they did not know that the premises were contaminated and they followed all necessary regulations (s 45A RTA).
If contamination is found when a tenant is already renting the property, the landlord can continue the tenancy as long as decontamination is being undertaken (s 45(1AAB)(b) RTA).
Find out about tenants rights if their property is found to be contaminated.
Tenants should request methamphetamine testing
If a tenant is concerned that the property they are living in, or about to sign up for, could be contaminated by methamphetamine, they should ask their landlord to carry out methamphetamine testing as soon as possible.
Quick tip
Before signing a tenancy agreement, tenants should ask to see the results of methamphetamine testing.
It is not a legal requirement for landlords to test for methamphetamine between tenancies.
However, it is generally in the landlord’s best interests to get testing done. The Tenancy Tribunal has emphasised that pre-tenancy testing is essential to determine culpability in most cases of methamphetamine contamination. Pre-tenancy testing also gives the landlord peace of mind that they are not breaching the RTA by renting out a contaminated property.
How testing is done
Anyone, including the landlord or tenant, can carry out a screening test for the presence of methamphetamine provided that they follow the methods set out in the methamphetamine regulations (reg 8 Residential Tenancies (Managing Methamphetamine Contamination) Regulations 2026).
If levels above 15 µg/100 cm² are found in the screening test, this indicates contamination and the landlord must have further detailed testing done by a qualified professional (regs 7(2)(b) and 9 Residential Tenancies Meth Regs 2026).
Find out more about methamphetamine testing and decontamination here
Who pays for testing?
Landlords should generally pay for routine methamphetamine testing between tenancies as part of their normal business costs.
Before signing a tenancy agreement, the tenant should check if the landlord has included a clause that requires the tenant to pay for methamphetamine testing. Such a clause is not illegal, but the tenant can talk to the landlord about removing it if there is nothing in the tenant’s history to raise concerns about methamphetamine use.
If the tenant has already signed a tenancy agreement that includes a clause that the tenant will pay for methamphetamine testing, the tenant will normally be required to pay for testing as per the agreement.
Other than where it is a condition of the tenancy agreement, a tenant will not usually have to pay for testing unless there is evidence that they, or someone they allowed on the property, used or manufactured methamphetamine on the premises (as notified by the police or determined by the Tenancy Tribunal).
Last reviewed on 16 Apr 2026
Did you find this information helpful?
