What are the meth contamination rules for NZ rentals since April 2026?

Since 16 April 2026, the Residential Tenancies (Managing Methamphetamine Contamination) Regulations 2026 have set legal meth levels for every residential tenancy. Any part of a rental above 15µg/100cm² (micrograms per 100 square centimetres) is contaminated and must be decontaminated back to 15 or below. Above 30µg/100cm², the property is treated as uninhabitable, and whichever side is not at fault can end the tenancy on short notice. Testing and decontamination must follow NZS 8510:2017 as modified by the regulations. The regulations do not require testing between tenancies; they set out what must happen once contamination is suspected or found.

What actually changed

The Residential Tenancies Act has contained contamination rules since 2021: landlords cannot knowingly rent out contaminated premises, and there are special termination rules for premises above a maximum inhabitable level. Those sections work off levels and methods that have to be set by regulation. The 2026 regulations are what set them for meth, so 16 April 2026 is when the numbers, test methods and cleanup process became law rather than guidance.

The two thresholds

• Above 15µg/100cm²: contaminated. The affected areas must be decontaminated. This is judged room by room, so a contaminated bedroom does not mean decontaminating a clean kitchen.
• Above 30µg/100cm²: over the maximum inhabitable level. The special termination and rent rules below apply, unless the contamination is only in a remote and inconsequential part of the property.

Testing: screening and detailed

A screening assessment shows whether meth is present and whether detailed testing is needed. Anyone can do one at any time, including landlords and tenants, as long as they use an approved method and follow its instructions. People paid to screen must meet competency requirements. Field composite testing and unvalidated kits are not allowed.

A detailed test establishes the actual levels and where they are. It must be done by a qualified professional who is independent of whoever does the decontamination. A landlord must arrange detailed testing as soon as practicable if the Police or the council say meth has likely been manufactured at the property, or if a valid screening assessment indicates contamination and the landlord is told about it.

Entering to test, and sharing results

To test during a tenancy, a landlord must give at least 48 hours' and no more than 14 days' notice, stating the reason and the contaminants being tested for, and enter between 8am and 7pm. Within 7 days of receiving the results, the landlord must give the tenant written notice of them and a copy. Failing to do that is an unlawful act (the Tribunal can award up to $1,000) and an infringement offence. Our entry notice template covers the notice.

Decontamination

• A contaminated property cannot be let to a new tenant until it has been decontaminated through the prescribed process.
• If a tenant is already living there, the landlord can keep renting it only while it is being decontaminated, and must finish as soon as practicable.
• The landlord can do the work or hire someone, but whoever does it must be independent of the people doing the testing.
• Work follows section 4 of NZS 8510:2017 with changes. For example, landlord-supplied carpets and curtains that can be cleaned and are staying must be HEPA-vacuumed, then steam cleaned.
• The job is only complete when a qualified professional's post-decontamination test shows the areas are no longer above 15µg/100cm². If not, another round of cleaning and testing follows. A separate clearance certificate is not required.
• Entering for decontamination needs at least 24 hours' notice with the reason, between 8am and 7pm.

Rent and ending the tenancy

If a test shows levels above 30µg/100cm² and nobody breached the tenancy agreement, the whole property is treated as uninhabitable, the rent stops, and either side can end the tenancy: the landlord with at least 7 days' notice, the tenant with at least 2 days'. If the contamination came from a breach, only the party not in breach can end it that way.

If the only area above 30 is remote and inconsequential, meaning it can be closed off and the rest of the home is still usable, the rent reduces to match and either side can ask the Tenancy Tribunal to end the tenancy. Tenants who cause contamination, or whose guests do, can be held liable for the damage.

Belongings left behind

The normal abandoned goods process applies, with the costs of testing and decontaminating the goods counted alongside storage and sale costs. If storage or testing is not reasonably practicable after real effort, the landlord can dispose of the goods straight away, except the tenant's personal documents. Goods must be tested, and cleaned if needed, before they are sold.

What landlords should keep

Keep every screening result, detailed test report, notice to the tenant, decontamination invoice and post-decontamination result, dated and together. Tenancy Services warns that landlords who fail their obligations can face exemplary damages of up to $7,200, and pecuniary penalties of up to $50,000 in some situations. A clean paper trail is also what shows a later buyer, insurer or Tribunal what happened and when. The exact method requirements are long and technical, so check the Tenancy Services guidance and the regulations themselves before booking work.