From 16 April 2026, new methamphetamine regulations officially came into force for rental properties across New Zealand.
There’s been a lot of noise around the changes, but for most landlords it really comes down to understanding two contamination levels and what they mean in practice. At Kōwhai Coast Property Management we’ve been helping landlords work through these changes calmly and practically, and thankfully the new rules are actually much clearer than what existed previously.
The first number: 15
If a property tests above 15 micrograms per 100 square centimetres, it now needs to be professionally decontaminated. This doesn’t automatically mean tenants have to move out or that the property is uninhabitable — remediation work may still be able to happen while the tenant remains living there, depending on the extent of the contamination and which areas are affected.
The second number: 30
If a property tests above 30 micrograms per 100 square centimetres, it’s considered legally uninhabitable. This is where the rules get much more serious from a tenancy perspective.
The biggest distinction landlords need to understand:
- Between 15 and 30 = remediation required
- Above 30 = property considered uninhabitable
What this means for landlords
For most landlords, these changes provide more certainty and structure around an area that’s historically been quite confusing. The biggest takeaway is that early action, proper testing, clear communication and good documentation matter more than ever.
It’s also worth remembering that insurance companies may apply their own separate rules and standards around meth contamination claims, regardless of the tenancy regulations themselves. As always, if concerns arise around meth contamination at your property, getting professional advice early is the best approach.
At Kōwhai Coast Property Management, we’ll keep helping our landlords navigate these situations carefully, practically, and professionally — protecting both the property and the tenancy relationship along the way.