In early October 2025, the Government confirmed new regulations that define how methamphetamine contamination will be managed in rental properties. The rules, set to sit under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, are designed to protect tenant health while providing long-needed certainty for landlords and property managers.
For years, property owners have faced a “grey area” when it comes to meth testing and remediation. Differing standards between insurers, the Tenancy Tribunal, and the New Zealand Standard (NZS) created uncertainty and, in some cases, unnecessary cost. These new regulations aim to bring the clarity the sector has been waiting for.
The Key Points of the New Meth Regulations
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has outlined several core elements that will come into effect once the regulations commence in 2026:
Contamination level: A rental property will be classed as contaminated when meth residue levels exceed 15 micrograms per 100 square centimetres (15μg/100cm²).
Decontamination requirement: Contaminated properties must be cleaned until residue levels are below the 15μg/100cm² threshold.
Tenancy termination: When testing reveals contamination above 30μg/100cm², landlords will have the right to terminate a tenancy due to contamination.
Testing and cleaning: Regulations will specify how testing and decontamination should be carried out to ensure results are consistent and reliable.
Abandoned goods: Clear procedures will be introduced for dealing with tenant belongings left in contaminated properties.
These thresholds are based on scientific advice and aim to balance health protection with practical, achievable compliance for landlords.
Why These Changes Matter for Landlords
For landlords and property managers, these regulations are a welcome clarification. Until now, many have struggled to interpret conflicting guidance between different authorities. Having clear national thresholds removes confusion and ensures everyone — landlords, tenants, insurers, and the Tribunal — is operating from the same rulebook.
The new framework should:
- Reduce disputes about what constitutes contamination.
- Provide clarity on when and how remediation must occur.
- Offer fairer outcomes for both landlords and tenants.
At Crockers, we see these regulations as a well-overdue and positive step for the rental sector. A clear, science-based approach will help restore confidence and consistency after years of uncertainty.
What Happens Next
No immediate action is required from landlords or property managers at this stage. The regulations are not yet in force and are expected to commence sometime in 2026.
Over the coming months, HUD will release detailed guidance outlining:
- How and when the new rules will take effect.
- What documentation or compliance processes may be required.
- The approved testing and remediation standards.
For now, landlords should simply stay informed. Crockers will continue to monitor updates from HUD and Tenancy Services and share clear information as implementation details become available.
This staged approach will ensure that, when the regulations do come into force, landlords have time to adapt without disruption.
Crockers’ Perspective
Crockers welcomes the Government’s intention to bring clarity to meth management in the rental market. For too long, landlords have operated under inconsistent advice, often caught between scientific standards, insurance policies, and tenancy rulings.
We believe this is a well-overdue and constructive reform, and we look forward to seeing the final details confirmed and implemented. Clear, evidence-based regulation benefits everyone involved in the rental sector and will ultimately lead to safer, better-managed homes.
Conclusion
The new meth regulations represent a major step forward for rental housing in New Zealand. They establish clear thresholds, modernise outdated guidance, and bring long-awaited consistency to how meth contamination is managed.
While there’s nothing landlords need to do just yet, staying informed will ensure a smooth transition once the regulations come into force in 2026. Crockers will continue to provide guidance and updates as more information is released.
