Auckland Man's Fight to Stay in Meth-Contaminated Property Dismissed by Tribunal

Recently, Stuff shared the story of a tenant who fought to stay in his meth-contaminated property after being evicted. Nicholas Keesing had been residing in the Kingsland Station House lodge for several months before his landlord gave him notice so he could work on decontaminating his property. Keesing argued that the move would cause him considerable stress and took the matter to the Tenancy Tribunal, where his case was dismissed.

It’s a delicate matter, made more so by Auckland’s housing crisis. With a lack of safe, affordable spaces, being evicted for an indeterminate amount of time can indeed cause unwarranted stress. Unfortunately, methamphetamine contamination is a serious health hazard that is showing up in increasingly large numbers. The problem is so severe that the Real Estate Institute (REINZ) declared it a ‘serious issue’ in New Zealand.

While an eviction during meth cleaning is less than ideal, it’s better than the alternative. Methamphetamine contamination is the cause of many respiratory issues in the country and is especially dangerous to toddlers and babies. A contaminated house is a liability to the community, as cross contamination can occur. Dealing with the problem without delay is the only viable solution to a distressing, rising trend.

Some common symptoms from exposure to this drug include rashes, headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue and shortness of breath. If you are wary of the safety of your home, you can get your home tested by a professional. Meth testing should be carried out by a contractor who is qualified, equipped and experienced. If an assessment shows contamination, you are legally obliged to list your property as a site with potential contamination and work on making it safe again.

Locally, Chemcare is the only company focusing solely on meth decontamination, making them experts in the removal of this hazardous substance. They refuse to provide meth testing as they believe it is in the customer’s best interest to receive unbiased testing. Instead, they offer skilled technicians and cost effective solutions in the decontamination process. Having specialists out there dedicated to educating and assisting the public is definitely reassuring.

As of July 2017, the new acceptable level of meth in a property is 1.5 micrograms per 100cm2 for ‘high use areas,’ but Keesing’s place of residence was found with 10.9 micrograms. While his frustration at an unforeseen inconvenience is understandable, the fact is the risks were too high. Unfortunately, it may take changes in other factors, such as house prices in Auckland, before tenants, renters and home owners feel more comfortable about declaring methamphetamine contaminated properties.

Chemcare has seen the problem of contaminated homes rise over the past 20 years, and has fought back with expert knowledge and customer care. Making houses habitable again is not only a service to those directly involved, but to the entire housing market and economy in New Zealand.