Why you may need to 'meth test' your new home before moving in
Australia's growing ice epidemic is creeping into rental homes and investment properties with a staggering number of houses now testing positive to methamphetamine.
Health experts say that for unsuspecting families, the risks - especially for children - are frightening.
Many houses look pristine from the outside - but on the inside, the findings can be shocking.
Adelaide-based "meth buster" Rob Hocking has seen it all too many times.
In South Australia, the rate of detection sits at 63 per cent of rental and investment properties tested.
That's 63 per cent of houses found with potentially deadly chemicals that kids may accidentally be ingesting.
"Kids crawl around on floors, they put things in their mouth," Rob said.
Health experts say that a child accidentally ingesting chemicals can lead to severe outcomes, including hospitalisation - even death.
Asthma, behavioural changes, migraines, nausea and sleeping disorders are other proven health effects.
The methamphetamine is detected by using simple swabs around the house.
"Meth-busters" are increasingly being hired by parents, prospective buyers and real estate agents before a new tenancy begins.
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"This is our current reality," Harcourts CEO Andrew Friebe said.
"We have to look after our customers, our buyers and renters, so they're protected into the future."
The advice for property owners is to check your landlord insurance.
It needs to cover both damage from the toxic chemicals and the loss of rent for the time it takes to clean and repair it.
A basic "meth test" costs $270 - another legacy of the methamphetamine crisis facing Australian communities.
