At Homely, we believe in keeping our clients informed, protected, and ahead of any changes that could impact your investment.
From 16 April 2026, new methamphetamine regulations will come into effect across New Zealand, bringing clearer rules around contamination in rental properties.
Why This Change Matters to You
For a long time, meth contamination has been a confusing and stressful issue for property owners. Different standards and advice made it difficult to know when action was required and who was responsible.
These new regulations remove that uncertainty by introducing clear, consistent thresholds that everyone must follow.
What Are the New Standards?
Under the new regulations:
- A property is considered contaminated at 15µg per 100cm²
- It must be cleaned to this level (or below) before being re-tenanted
- At 30µg per 100cm², a property may be considered uninhabitable
This gives us a clear framework to guide decisions and protect your property.
What This Means for You as a Property Owner
The new rules place greater responsibility on ensuring properties are safe and compliant.
At Homely, we will manage this process for you, including:
- Coordinating professional testing (when required)
- Working with qualified decontamination providers
- Ensuring your property meets all legal requirements before being re-let
- Keeping you informed every step of the way
Our goal is to make this process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
A Shift in Risk You Should Be Aware Of
One important change is how these new thresholds may impact insurance cover.
In some cases, lower levels of contamination may no longer trigger insurance claims, meaning there could be costs that fall to the property owner.
This is why proactive management is more important than ever.
How We’re Protecting Your Investment
At Homely, we take a proactive approach to reduce risk and protect your property:
- Recommending baseline testing where appropriate
- Maintaining thorough documentation
- Conducting regular, detailed inspections
- Providing clear advice tailored to your property
We’re here to ensure you’re not caught off guard.
It’s Not Just About Compliance
While the law sets minimum standards, tenant expectations often go further.
A property can meet legal requirements, but still impact tenant confidence if not managed carefully.
That’s why we focus on both compliance and presentation, helping you maintain a high-quality rental that attracts and retains great tenants.
We’re Here to Help
These changes are a positive step for the industry, creating more certainty and consistency for everyone involved.
For you, it means it is another important reason to have a knowledgeable team, like Homely, in your corner who understands the detail and takes care of it on your behalf.
If you have any questions about how these changes may affect your property, we’re always here to talk.
