Australian Code of Practice
Agents, Buyers agents, Property Managers & Landlords
Do you suspect meth smokers or manufacturers on your property or in the vicinity? Call the experts!
How We Test! Request Price! Request Info Booklet!Agents, Buyers agents, Property Managers & Landlords
Here at Stewarts, we do our best to cater for Real Estate Agencies and their sales and rental properties. Stewarts have worked closely with property managers and sales staff for many years assisting with pre-purchase inspection, tenant vacates requirements and general upkeep required to manage a property adequately.
You can trust that our qualified team have the experience and knowledge to care for everyone involved in the process of having a tenanted property inspected and tested for Meth.
All the information you need in one book!
Request a Property Manager Information Booklet Meth Testing/Pest Control Prices & Information
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No "Meth Testing" Signage!
Concerned about nosey neighbours?
We can attend your property in a Stewarts Pest Control truck.
When we arrive you wont receive unusual looks from your neighbours due to large signs noting "meth testing" or any of the alike. We can arrive in one of our Stewarts Pest Control trucks to protect your privacy.
When To Test For Meth
Meth contamination is invisible and has little to no smell. You may be thinking that your tenant didn't have a lab set up and therefore the property won't be contaminated. But in reality, it is estimated that around 20% of contamination problems are linked to labs; 80%
to meth users. Australia has the highest number of meth users per capita in the English-speaking world, and even more shockingly that number is now three times higher than it was in 2011. So when should we be testing?
- Regular Testing Between Tenants -
- Pre-purchase testing -
- Pre-sale testing -
The Risks of Not Testing
Not testing a rental property can lead to concerning health effects for tenants, especially children and pets. The health effects below were noted in an Australian family who
purchased a home that was a former meth lab. You can read more about this in our blog post
The Health Risk of Meth Contamination and Dr Jackie Wright’s Case Study.
Legal risks and financial risks are also very real when a rental property is not consistently tested for meth. You can find more information noted below.
Health Risks
The effects of meth can be varied and long lasting depending on the exposure. Symptoms can include:
- Headaches
- Burning, watery or stinging eyes
- Nausea
- Coughing or choking
- Shortness of breath or dizziness
- Feeling cold or weak
- Convulsions
If methamphetamines have been smoked or manufactured on a property, the contamination will seep into walls, floors, furniture and carpet.
If you have small children who are prone to touching everything, they are exposed to the risk of getting contaminated.
Legal Risks
Property owners and managers are responsible for ensuring that a property is a safe and healthy habitation for renters. Australia laws (EPA and local government) states that meth contamination above the 0.5μg/100cm² is not acceptable. Landlords are beginning to face lawsuits from tenants who have moved into an already contaminated property and have become sick as a result.
Financial Risks
Decontaminating property can cost thousands of dollars. If decontamination form a meth lab is necessary, costs usually start around $10,000 but can easily reach $40,000 for a large home. Some homes are contaminated to the point where it cannot be decontaminated, and the building needs to be demolished. This financial cost is very really covered by insurance and unfortunately falls to the owners.
When considering this Stewarts Drug testing can also offer alternative decontamination methods depending on the level of contamination.
Signs Thats a Tenant Might be Using or Manufacturing Meth
There are a few main signs that could be an indicator that a tenant is using or manufacturing meth. These indicators are only a guide. Stewarts Drug testing is offering FREE meth testing and detection presentation for Real Estate Agencies. Within this presentation, we go through all the key indicators with real-life examples, if you are interested feel free to contact us today!
TENANT BEHAVIOURS
- Aggressive Behaviour
- Itching & scratching more then usual
- Paranoid Behaviour
- Lots of movement of cars and visitors (usually at strange times)
- Lots of cell phones/sim cards
- Smoking outside
- Disposal of rubbish in different locations abnormal amount of rubbish
- Not very responsive
- Very secretive
- Not allowing you to enter specific rooms, sheds etc.
SMELLS & EQUIPMENT
Smells
- Varnish or Paint Thinner
- A “hospital” type smell
- Vinegar or other sour smells
- Ammonia
- A large amount of plastic bottles (some labs only use shake and bake or one pot method and this would be the only evidence of a lab)
- Rubber Tubes
- Respiratory masks and filters
- Unusual quantities of rubber gloves
- Things like bed sheets or coffee filters stained red from being used as strainers
- Funnels - lots of them
- Copper metal turning blue
- Pyrex, glass, mason jars or other kitchen glassware (these may be fitted with hoses, clamps, or duct tape.)
ADJUSTMENTS TO THE PROPERTY
- Stains to sinks and/or baths/toilets
- Burn marks in carpet
- Red staining around walls and on floors
- Unusual ventilation systems
- Burnt batches in the garden/grass areas
- Elaborate/excessive security – cameras, keep out signs, baby monitors outside
- Window coverings such as sheetings of foil
- Locks added to cupboards, bedroom doors, attics etc
- Tape around doors