Australian First: Mandatory meth (ice) testing on the cards for Western Australia rental homes 

Western Australia's ice epidemic could impact homeowners with the State Government set to consider mandatory testing for methamphetamine contamination in rental properties.

The move to test if houses have been used as drug labs, or had residue from meth use, would be an Australian first, according to the Real Estate Institute of Australia.

Compulsory testing will be raised in a review of the Residential Tenancies Act, with a consultation paper expected to be released in coming months.

Any legislative reform is likely to take two years, if introduced.

Consumer Protection WA property industries director Phil Payne said that under the current industry code of conduct, sellers and property managers must disclose "if there is knowledge of prior meth activity" in the residence.

"However, if there is no prior knowledge then there is no basis for a property owner or real estate agent to have the property tested," Mr Payne said.

Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-06/mandatory-meth-testing-on-the-cards-for-wa-homes/10783304?pfmredir=sm