As you may be aware, the meth regulations in New Zealand have changed.
As of 16 April 2026 the current legal threshold for methamphetamine contamination in New Zealand changed to 15 micrograms/100cm² as set by the Residential Tenancies (Methamphetamine Contamination) Regulations 2021 (as amended in April 2026).
Haven Home Rentals highly recommends meth testing before a property is tenanted and between tenancies.
Pre-Tenancy baseline composite testing by qualified professionals is one of the best ways to help protect your investment.
It's the only way to check for drug presence before or after a tenancy, and helps hold the right people accountable if contamination occurs.
Having a baseline test prior to the tenancy beginning makes it clear that the property was free from contamination when the tenancy began. It sets the expectation that it should remain so and that end of tenancy testing will also be carried out.
There is no legal requirement to test, however as an owner you need to know:
- What your insurance policy requires to protect your entitlements.
- What your ability is to cover remediation costs in a worst-case scenario - With the knowledge that decontamination costs can average upwards of $7,500.
If you would like any further information please follow this link: Meth Regulations April 2026.
