The Truth About Meth Testing When Buying a House in NZ
Buying a house is stressful enough without wondering what might be hiding in the walls. If you've been asking yourself,
Meth testing in Auckland
A meth test samples a property's surfaces for methamphetamine residue and reports the level against the New Zealand thresholds. Ours costs $300 + GST across Auckland, on its own or added to a pre-purchase inspection, and gives you full documentation for legal and insurance purposes.
Three different numbers, and what each one means
New Zealand has three meth figures, set by three different bodies, and they answer different questions. NZS 8510:2017, the testing and decontamination standard, recommends 1.5 micrograms per 100 square centimetres. It is a standard, not a law, and it is currently being revised. Rentals: the Residential Tenancies (Managing Methamphetamine Contamination) Regulations 2026, in force since 16 April 2026, are legally binding. A tenanted property must be decontaminated above 15 micrograms per 100 square centimetres, and above 30 a tenancy can be ended as uninhabitable. Sales: under the Real Estate Authority's disclosure guidance of 7 September 2026, contamination above 15 micrograms is a defect an agent must disclose to buyers.
Why buyers should test for themselves
Under the REA guidance an agent does not have to volunteer a result of 15 micrograms or below, or a property that has been decontaminated back to that level, unless you have clearly shown an interest in meth contamination or asked about it. Then they must disclose at any level, so ask. Meth residue is invisible and a visual building inspection cannot detect it, so if it matters to you, or you plan to rent the home out, test before you are committed. Decontamination can mean removing and replacing linings, carpets and fittings.
Testing for landlords
For a rental, the 15 and 30 microgram limits in the 2026 regulations are the ones that bind you. A test between tenancies gives you a documented baseline, so if contamination turns up later you can show when it happened. Our report gives you the documentation you need for legal and insurance purposes.
Fixed pricing
Meth Testing pricing
All prices exclude GST. Available on its own or added to any building inspection.
Meth Testing
Laboratory-standard methamphetamine testing of the property. A critical check for rentals and purchases — provides full documentation for legal and insurance purposes.
$300plus GST
Add it to a building inspection
Book it with a Standard or Premium inspection and both reports are delivered together.
$600Standard, from
Report Delivery
Choose your delivery speed
Standard delivery is within 48 hours at no extra charge. Need it sooner? Choose an express option when you book.
48 hr
Included
24 hr
+$99 + GST
12 hr
+$199 + GST
6 hr
+$299 + GST
Common Questions
Meth Testing questions
How much does a meth test cost?
A meth test and report costs $300 + GST. You can book it on its own, or add it to a pre-purchase building inspection so both are done in the same visit and the reports are delivered together.
What level of meth is acceptable in a house in NZ?
It depends on the question. The NZS 8510:2017 standard recommends 1.5 micrograms per 100 square centimetres. For rentals, the 2026 regulations legally require decontamination above 15 and allow a tenancy to end above 30. For sales, the Real Estate Authority treats anything above 15 as a defect agents must disclose.
Will the agent tell me if a house has meth?
Agents must disclose contamination above 15 micrograms per 100 square centimetres. Below that, or after decontamination to that level, they must still disclose at any level if you ask, or have clearly shown an interest in meth contamination. So ask the agent directly, and consider your own test if it matters to you.
Is a meth test part of a building inspection?
No. A building inspection is visual and cannot detect meth residue, so testing is a separate report. It is an add-on to any pre-purchase inspection, or can be booked as a standalone test.
Should landlords test between tenancies?
It is good practice. A test at the end of one tenancy and before the next gives you a documented baseline, which matters if contamination is found later and you need to show when it happened.
Further reading
Guides for this inspection
First Home Buyer's Checklist: Questions to Ask Before You Buy
Buying your first home is exciting and overwhelming in equal measure. Here's what to ask your agent, your bank, and your inspector before you commit.
What to Expect During a Pre-Purchase Building Inspection
Booking your first pre-purchase inspection? Here's what happens before, during, and after — so you know exactly what to expect.
Ready to book?
Fixed pricing, Licensed Building Practitioners, and we arrange access with the agent for you.