Landlord protests meth cleaning cost

An Otago landlord who spent more than $20,000 decontaminating his property after it tested positive for methamphetamine says the Government should compensate those caught up the contamination hysteria.

Mark Cowan, of Dunedin, paid $16,000, not including the cost of repainting and recarpeting the house, to meet the standards for renting his Balclutha property, after it tested positive for contamination.

Mr Cowan was protesting outside Dunedin South MP Clare Curran's office yesterday about the lack of government help.

Otago landlord Mark Cowan protests outside Dunedin South MP Clare Curran's office yesterday about the lack of compensation for property owners who had their flats cleaned after they tested positive for methamphetamine. Photo: Gregor Richardson

In May, a report by the Prime Minister's chief science adviser Sir Peter Gluckman said there was no evidence third-hand exposure from methamphetamine smoking caused adverse health effects.

The Government has said landlords would not be compensated.

While it was not the law, Mr Cowan said he and other landlords followed the guidelines set by the government at the time.

''I think it's pretty unfair, actually, because it was almost impossible to rent out or sell your property without having it cleared for meth.''

Ms Curran said she understood it was a difficult situation for Mr Cowan and that was why she met him last month.

After the meeting, Mr Cowan said he would write a letter, which Ms Curran agreed to pass on to her colleagues who dealt with the issue of meth contamination.

''I haven't seen a letter yet from Mr Cowan but am happy to pass a letter on when I receive it,'' she said.

tim.miller@odt.co.nz