The Residential Tenancies (Managing Methamphetamine Contamination) Regulations 2026 take effect on 16 April 2026 and introduce a clear national framework for how contamination must be assessed and managed in rental properties.
For many years, landlords faced uncertainty around what contamination levels were considered unsafe and when cleaning was required. These regulations aim to provide clearer rules by establishing specific contamination thresholds and outlining when testing and decontamination must occur.
Below is a practical guide to the key rules landlords should understand.
The two key meth contamination thresholds
The regulations introduce two important contamination thresholds measured in micrograms per 100 square centimetres (µg/100 cm²).
Understanding these numbers is essential because they determine when action must be taken.
- 15 µg/100 cm² — Contamination threshold
If methamphetamine contamination exceeds 15 µg/100 cm² in a property, or in part of a property, the affected area is considered contaminated and must be decontaminated.
This means the landlord must ensure the property is cleaned until contamination levels fall below this threshold.
- 30 µg/100 cm² — Uninhabitable threshold
If contamination exceeds 30 µg/100 cm², the property is considered uninhabitable.
When this happens:
- A landlord may give 7 days’ notice to end the tenancy
- A tenant may give 2 days’ notice to end the tenancy
- Either party may apply to the Tenancy Tribunal to terminate the tenancy
These rules allow both landlords and tenants to exit a tenancy if contamination levels make the property unsafe to occupy.
Are landlords required to test for meth?
A common misconception is that landlords must routinely test rental properties for meth contamination.
The regulations do not require routine testing.
Testing is only required in certain situations.
A landlord must arrange professional testing if:
- The Police or a local authority notify the landlord that the property may have been used for meth manufacture, or
- A screening test indicates contamination above 15 µg/100 cm²
In these situations, a qualified tester must conduct a detailed assessment.
Screening tests vs professional testing
The regulations allow landlords to carry out initial screening tests themselves or to hire a professional to do this.
However, if a screening test suggests contamination above 15 µg/100 cm², a qualified professional tester must carry out a full assessment.
Testing must follow the relevant NZS 8510 standards, which set out how contamination must be measured and verified.
Only a qualified tester can conduct the final clearance test confirming the property has been successfully decontaminated.
Decontamination rules
If contamination exceeds the legal threshold, the property must be decontaminated until levels fall below 15 µg/100 cm².
Decontamination may be carried out:
- By the landlord, or
- By professional decontamination companies
However, if professional decontamination is used, the regulations require that the decontamination company must be independent from the testing company.
After cleaning is completed, a qualified tester must confirm the property has been cleared.
Do landlords need to test between tenancies?
The new regulations do not require testing between every tenancy.
However, some landlords still choose to test between tenancies for practical reasons, such as:
- Establishing a baseline reading before a tenancy begins
- Supporting an insurance claim if contamination is discovered later
- Providing evidence if a dispute arises at the Tenancy Tribunal
Without a baseline test before a tenancy begins, it may be harder to demonstrate when contamination occurred.
Insurance policies may have their own requirements around testing, including recommending or requiring testing between tenancies in order to maintain cover. Landlords should check their policy wording or speak with their insurer to understand what may be required.
Insurance policies may use different contamination levels
While the new regulations set legal thresholds for contamination, insurance policies may operate differently.
Some policies still reference contamination levels from the NZS 8510 standard, which historically used a much lower threshold of 1.5 µg/100 cm².
This can create situations where:
- The property does not require decontamination under tenancy law, but
- The property may still need cleaning under an insurance policy to maintain coverage.
For example, if a property tests at 8 µg/100 cm², the landlord may not be legally required to decontaminate under the new regulations. However, depending on the insurance policy, the landlord may still need to reduce contamination to a lower level in order to remain covered.
Because insurance policies differ, landlords should review their policy wording or speak with their insurer to understand:
- What contamination thresholds apply to their cover
- Whether testing between tenancies is recommended or required
- What level the property must be cleaned to in order for a claim to be accepted
Some insurers recommend testing when purchasing a property, between tenancies, or when changing insurers.
What if tenants are using meth at the property?
The contamination thresholds in the regulations relate specifically to health and habitability standards.
However, landlords still have rights under the Residential Tenancies Act if tenants:
- Use the property for an unlawful purpose
- Cause damage to the property
- Leave the property unclean or contaminated.
These rights apply regardless of whether contamination reaches the regulatory thresholds.
The information contained in this article is exclusively for promotional purposes. It does not in any way constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as the basis for any legal action or contractual dealings. The information is not and does not attempt to be, a comprehensive account of the relevant law in New Zealand. If you require legal advice, you should seek independent legal counsel. myRent.co.nz does not accept any liability that may arise from the use of this information.
