HOME BUYERS
BUYING A NEW HOME?
A recent renovation or paint job may be hiding something sinister trapped in the walls, floors and other surfaces of the house you are considering purchasing.
The smoking or manufacturing of methamphetamine results in airborne deposits on wall surfaces, carpets, counters and furniture. Solid forms of methamphetamine can be spilled and worked into carpets and upholstery.
Even small amounts of contamination are known to have adverse effects on children, adults and pets living in affected dwellings.
WHY BOTHER TO METH TEST
- Meth contamination is rarely visible.
- Meth labs operate in all suburbs, rich or poor.
- Property contaminated by meth poses serious health risks. Are you willing to compromise the health of people and pets living in your property?
- Decontaminating a property can literally cost tens of thousands of dollars.
- If the property is badly contaminated, it may need to be demolished.
- Insurance cover for decontamination of newly acquired property is unlikely.
- Property with a meth history will typically sell below market rates.
WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT BECOMING A VICTIM?
Firstly, when completing a property Sale and Purchase Agreement, you could include a clause stating that you will conduct testing for methamphetamine and that the sale is conditional upon, amongst other things, a report that the property is not contaminated.
For an example of the wording you could use, click here.
Secondly, as part of your pre-purchase due diligence ensure that you, or your property inspector, conduct surface testing for meth contamination.
A simple, inexpensive test kit could save you tens of thousands of dollars in clean-up and remediation costs.