Being a landlord is not for the weak. Even with background checks and references, you can never really know what a tenant is going to do behind closed doors. Oftentimes, you only discover their behavior after they’ve moved out (or you’ve evicted them). And by then, the damage is done.
Of all the horror scenes that a landlord can walk into, meth contamination is one of the worst. When you learn how extensive the damage is, you may decide to wash your hands of the property entirely by selling it.
However, selling a meth-contaminated house or apartment isn’t as straightforward as listing a typical property. Below, we explain the options available, and which one might be the best choice for your situation.
Is the Tenant Responsible for Cleanup?
Responsibility typically falls on the property owner, not the tenant, even if previous occupants caused the contamination. Local health departments may also issue cleanup orders if a property fails inspection. It’s important to work with licensed professionals to meet legal and environmental requirements.
Check with your home insurance
Before making any decisions, reach out to your home insurance. Find out if your homeowner or landlord policy covers any drug-related damages. This information will help you decide which route to follow when it comes to selling your property.
Hire a toxic materials cleanup company, and then sell
If you want to get the best price out of your apartment, condo, or house, you can choose to hire a hazardous materials removal company prior to listing the property. Look for businesses that follow all state, OSHA, and EPA regulations and have a high reputation represented by their online reviews.
The contamination and cleanup process will be unique for each property. At Xtract Environmental Services, we first assess the level of contamination and toxicity within the home. From here, we remove any corrupted materials and begin our intensive deep cleaning procedure.
The entire process is actually quicker than many homeowners expect, lasting between 3 to 15 days (depending on the severity of the contamination) once cleaning begins. However, the presence of meth will first need to be confirmed by a third party verifier, and the property needs clearance from state agencies before work can begin (this takes approximately two weeks).
Keep in mind that it is against the law in Colorado to attempt to clean up the meth yourself. Meth-contaminated properties must be tested, cleaned, and cleared by a firm that is certified in Colorado.
While the house is now completely safe, Colorado requires that any meth-affected property must be placed on a public list. Properties remain on the list for five years after the final certificate of compliance is issued. Your toxic removal company will file this on your behalf.
After your property is decontaminated, you can now go about selling the property as normal.
Sell as-is
If you don’t want to hire a meth cleanup company, you can choose to sell the property as-is, disclosing that the home or apartment is contaminated with methamphetamine.
This could be a good option if the cost of meth decontamination is higher than the property value. While regular homeowners may be wary of the listing, you can focus on selling to businesses who specialize in purchasing unlivable homes. For example, Xtract Environmental buys meth-contaminated homes on a case-by-case basis.
Demolish the building and sell the land
If the damage is so extensive that you don’t think the building is worth salvaging, you can choose to demolish it completely. You’ll still want to consult with a meth abatement expert, however, to ensure the demolition is carried out in a way that doesn’t expose the workers or neighbors to any harmful particles or substances.
Once the building is safely demolished and all materials are removed, you can list the property for sale. Once demolished, the property is no longer required to be on the state’s “meth-affected properties” list.
Choose the Front Range’s Experienced Abatement Company
If you’ve just discovered meth contamination left by tenants, you may be feeling a little overwhelmed. You don’t have to go through this process alone. When you reach out to Xtract Environmental, our kind team will evaluate your property and walk you through all the viable options. We’re happy to offer our expertise so you can make the most informed decision possible—and make the most out of a difficult situation.
Contact us today to begin moving toward a solution.