Drug Residue Test: 5 ways to know your property needs one
Living in a contaminated house may affect your family’s health. Undetected meth labs, when found by property owners, are usually given a clean-up and maybe a fresh coat of paint to look appealing to new tenants or potential owners. However, the inhabitants are not safe until the meth residue has been removed.
It may be a good idea to organise a drug residue test on a property when:
- There is an unusual chemical smell
- Windows are blackened out or reinforced
- Recently rented premises where the resident is rarely home
- Suspicious items, such as improvised heating and cooling mechanisms
- Extractor fans, especially in garages/sheds.
Is there an unusual chemical smell? Unsure what the issue is?
What happens in a property drug residue test?
Organising a professional drug residue test is simple, and it is a very easy process.
It involves taking swabs from many areas of the property, including any outdoor buildings such as a garage and testing the swabs for a positive reading. No mess or fuss!!!
How to choose a vendor to perform a drug residue test
We highly recommend having this done by professionals. Home testing kits are available to do yourself, but they will not be as accurate, and you also want to avoid risk exposure. When trying to organise someone, don’t be afraid to ask questions such as, how they will conduct the service and when you will have the results.
Choosing the best Sydney Drug Residue Testing – Clear View Property Inspections
Personal account: I had to do a drug residue test on my investment property
After renting out my investment property to the same occupants for 6 months, I decided it was time to change because I sensed something wasn’t right. Luckily, I lived on the same street just a few houses down from my investment and could see the property daily. From the outside, everything seemed neat and nothing too suspicious.
After a few months, I noticed the property looked unoccupied, but at night, cars were constantly in and out. I also realised they were rarely taking out their bins. I thought it was just me being paranoid, so I just let it be as there were no issues with their payments and the fact that they maintained the look of the property also eased my suspicions.
Well, their 6-month lease was due to expire, and when my agent contacted them to find out if they wanted to renew their lease for another 6 months and also at a higher rate, their response was, “yes, and we would like to pay the 6 months upfront in cash”. That was a red flag to me. Before agreeing, I organised for my agent to inspect the property before I went further. What did he find? The windows on the whole back and sides of the property (which are not visible from the street) were taped up, and there was a funny smell throughout the home. It was then that I decided to move on and find other tenants.
Upon their move, which only took a few days, I walked into the property, and it was obvious then what was taking place. I organised a drug residue test, and my suspicions were confirmed. I couldn’t believe it was happening right under my nose. Anyway, it was time to move on, so I organised a professional cleaning to remove all residue that would have been left all over my investment property and make sure it was safe and clean to find new tenants.
Inspecting an investment property
