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How Meth Contamination Affects
LANDLORDS & PROPERTY INVESTORS

Invest Smartly

If you don't test for meth contamination it will cost you more in the long term

Testing a property for Methamphetamine contamination is to some landlords a cost they would rather not have.

By seeing only the costs for testing but not the costs for failing to test a landlord is being incredibly short sighted and playing a game of Russian Roulette.

It's only a matter of time before the property becomes contaminated.

Purchasing a property and having someone else contribute to the mortgage or provide you with an additional income can seem attractive, after all the only thing you have to do is make sure its clean, right?

Well not exactly.

Landlords actually have a moral and legal obligation to make sure the property is safe and habitable. If its contaminated with Methamphetamine and you know this or even if you don't know this, you are liable and can be sued for negligence and reckless behaviour and can be held accountable in a court of law. Under Consumer Protection legislation, if the buyer or tenant of a property becomes ill from exposure to a known former clan lab or smoke house, and it was not disclosed as a material fact, the owner and real estate agency could be subject to legal action.

If you think that you can save money and simply test AFTER the property has become contaminated to prove who contaminated it or that this will alleviate any problems you may have with the property then you might want to read the story below. It may shock you.

Why Test for Meth contamination?

It can happen to you

Scenario:

The Landlord had rented their house to what seemed to be a reasonable sort of male. A young, executive looking male, well dressed and employed. When the tenants left the property was is in a disgraceful state and reeked of chemicals. The Landlord had it tested and found it has been used as a clan lab. He finally tracked the tenants down and took them to court. As the trial starts the defence lawyer asked their solicitor "where are the test results that show the property was NOT contaminated before my clients moved in?" There were none because the Landlord had failed to test prior to leasing the property and the tenants moving in and because of this now does not have the evidence needed. The judge dismisses the case and there is no way the Landlord can prove that the tenants did the damage nor can he gain any compensation from them for the damage. As he walked out of the court room the tenants defence lawyer handed him a defamation suit.

Think it cant happen? It did and that Landlord paid the price.

When You Fail to Test for Meth Contamination You Set Yourself Up for Loss

Nine good reasons for testing

A SMART investor manages their investment with care
Meth contamination will reduce the value of your property.
Putting tenants into your newly acquired rental property and then discovering it is contaminated means you may lose rental income while the property is remediated.
The tenant may be eligible to claim damages.
You’re chances of obtaining insurance cover for any property that requires decontamination is greatly reduced unless you are testing between tenancies.
Your reputation is tarnished.
You will have no recourse against the people who did contaminate the property.
To save a few hundred dollars you leave yourself open to having to find tens of thousands of dollars to fix the problem.

It makes sense to test

The benefits of testing for Meth contamination

Must do's to ensure your peace of mind and maintain the value of your property.

1. Test prior to leasing your property. This way you have proof positive that the property was 'clean' prior to the current tenant moving in.

2. Have it in your contract that there is to be NO use of illicit drugs on the premises as well as no smoking.

3. Have it in the contract that at each inspection a random test is undertaken. This will hopefully dissuade the tenant from indulging in any illicit drug use on the premises.

4. Providing testing results that are undertaken by a reputable company gives your tenant confidence that the premises they are renting are safe for habitation.

5. Double check your insurance policy for coverage should the situation ever arise that contamination has taken place. This will ensure that you have adequate funds to remediate the property correctly and safely.