Betta Inspect It, are now advising all landlords and property managers to “Meth test between tenancies”.
This is because one-in-every-three residential properties we’re testing is showing up as contaminated.
It’s also why our building inspection group is strongly advising all property buyers to “test before you buy”.
We carry out methamphetamine (meth) tests on behalf of property buying clients, landlords and property managers in most parts of New Zealand. Since the end of 2015 our national group has recorded a 400% increase in demand for Meth testing.
On the data we’re recording 35% of all properties our inspectors are testing are contaminated.
Of the latest batch of 172 Meth tests we’ve carried out 60 – or 35% – have come back positive after independent laboratory testing. Tests in November and December recorded similar results.
Betta’s managing director Matt Mason firmly believes this is still “below the national average” and maybe the tip of the iceberg. As a result of this and the Tuakau Tenancy Tribunal compensation case, he’s urging all property buyers to test for the presence of Meth also known as ‘P’ and is advising all residential landlords and property managers to “routinely test between tenants”.
“Getting a Meth test costs between $249 and $647 per property excluding GST, depending on its size and the turnaround time required. That’s less than a week’s rental return and the peace of mind and protection it gives is well worth the investment,” Mr Mason says.
Betta Inspect It is now working with a number of well-known property management firms to test between tenancies to combat this rising issue.
Four of the five highest contamination levels our inspectors have come across were in Wanganui, Hastings, and Hamilton. Other large contamination levels have come in from Gisborne, Dargaville, Tauranga, Stanmore Bay, Silverdale and Huntly.
So book a Meth Inspection with Betta Inspect It, call us on 0800 422 388.
For rental properties, book with Betta Property Compliance, call us on 0800 422 386.