REA Methamphetamine Disclosure Guidance
Updated: 6 days ago
Caveat Emptor – Let the Buyer Beware
The Real Estate Authority (REA) has updated its guidance on methamphetamine contamination and disclosure when buying or selling residential property in New Zealand. This has been done before the New Zealand Standard, NZS 8510:2017, has completed its formal review.
REA's new guidance recommends decontamination to 15 µg/100 cm² or below and says disclosure is generally not required once a property is at or below that level.
However, NZS 8510:2017 remains the current New Zealand Standard and defines a property as contaminated when methamphetamine exceeds 1.5 µg/100 cm² in high-use areas. REA itself acknowledges this difference.
MethTec's position is simple: while NZS 8510:2017 remains the current Standard, we believe properties covered by that Standard should continue to be decontaminated to below 1.5 µg/100 cm², unless and until the Standard is officially changed.
A purchaser shouldn't unknowingly have to accept a property with methamphetamine levels above the current NZ Standard. If they choose to accept a higher level, that should be an informed choice.
Caveat emptor — let the buyer beware.
Know what you're buying. Ask the question. Consider testing before you buy.
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