Meth Labs on the Market

Was there a meth lab in the home you want to purchase?

Did you know that the highest concentration of meth related deaths occur in British Columbia?  Since 2003 we have seen a dramatic increase of Meth lab seizures drawing attention to the problem of meth contamination, which will permeate your drywall, carpets, insulation and air ducts, causing serious health problems such as respiratory ailments and learning disorders just to name a few.

Children that have grown up on a contaminated home are more likely to develop learning disabilities, skin problems and long term respiratory disease.

So as a buyer, how can you be sure that the dream home you are considering buying hasn’t been used as a meth lab?  Don’t sellers have to disclose this information?  Not necessarily, there is a loop hole.  Many sellers have not lived in the subject property that they are selling.  In BC a seller can simple cross out the property disclosure statement and not answer any questions on the form by stating “they have no knowledge they didn’t live in the house”.  Moreover many sellers simply check the box that says “no” when asked if the house was used as a meth lab or grow op and then simply disappear after the sale.  Good luck tracking the seller down to take them to court after you discover mould or that your family is getting sick in your beautiful new home.

Of course the seller knows there was a meth-lab in the house, they had to have the house torn apart and renovated either by themselves or hire trades to do so.  That is one of the reasons I always warn people not to purchase a home without the help of a Realtor and to avoid “For Sale by Owners”.

The Share team will utilize their resources and contacts to investigate the home you are considering purchasing to ensure that there has not been a meth-lap or grow op in there.  If we have a suspicion that there could have been we will further research and call in specialized home inspectors.

The high cost of cleaning a home can be anywhere between $10,000 -$100,000 depending on the size of the home, city requirements and the degree of contamination.  Many properties have been left vacant or quarantined as a result.

A thorough home inspection is your best way to identify a potential risk in a home.  I always recommend that a Buyer stay with the home inspector throughout the inspection, asking questions along the way.  Not all home inspectors are as thorough as we would like them to be.  Some home inspection companies now have specific tests to ensure the home you want to purchase is clean and safe.

As your Realtor we take extra precautions to help guide you in the safest ways to avoid these toxic risks when purchasing a home.