The first thing to know about selling a meth contaminated property is that meth is considered an environmental hazard. That means this substance is dangerous to you, your family, and your community. That is also why there are several laws and regulations that oversee who is responsible for decontamination, the requirements for meth removal and testing, and disclosure of contamination on a given property.
Of course, these regulations do vary depending on the area you live in. We’ve included some of Utah’s to help get you started. However, whether you’re a broker, realtor, or owner, you’ll want to know any local nuances before attempting to sell a property.
Utah Regulations for Selling a Meth Contaminated Property
- At this time, any homebuyer may elect to have a property tested, often as part of a home inspection.
- It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure proper decontamination, regardless of who contaminated the property.
- The current decontamination standard in Utah is 1.0 µg/100cm². If a house tests above 1.0 µg/100cm² it must undergo decontamination.
- Local law enforcement, Certified Decontamination Specialists, and certain other officials must report contamination to the health department.
- Any tests submitted to the health department must be NIOSH compliant.
- Each local health department in Utah must maintain a public list of meth contaminated properties. Once properties undergo proper decontamination, and tests indicate the house tests at or below the decontamination standard, the health department will remove it from the associated list.
- Any entry in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) which mentions meth is permanent. Furthermore, future inhabitants of the property may submit a GRAMA request to learn more about the property’s history.
- If the owner possesses knowledge about current contamination, they must disclose this information during property transactions.
Be aware it is not uncommon for potential buyers to back out of the deal upon discovering contamination. However, obtaining appropriate meth removal and securing the services of a Certified Decontamination Specialist can go along way to soothing concerns and improve buyer confidence. Furthermore, proper decontamination reduces health risks and preserves property value.
Should you find yourself in need of testing or decontamination, be sure to call a Certified Decontamination Specialist in your area. If you’re in Utah, then AEI Decon is here for you. We provide professional and cost-effective meth cleanup services, and can often take the cost out of closing proceeds. For more information feel free to give us a call at (801) 888-6698.