Key Takeaways:
If you suspect a tenant is manufacturing meth in your apartment building, your first step is to notify police immediately and keep other residents away from the affected unit and nearby common areas. Never enter the unit yourself, as exposure to hazardous chemicals poses serious health risks, and your presence could interfere with a police investigation. Document all observations, neighbor complaints, maintenance anomalies and utility irregularities, as this information will support eviction proceedings, insurance claims and remediation efforts. Before serving any eviction notices, consult with a landlord-tenant attorney, as Colorado has specific regulations governing both the eviction process and meth cleanup procedures that carry significant fines if not followed. Meth residue can remain embedded in walls, HVAC systems, carpets and porous surfaces long after a tenant vacates, so professional decontamination by a certified meth remediation company is essential to ensure safe conditions are restored and all regulatory requirements are met before the unit is returned to service.
Meth contamination is one of the most serious issues that can impact your multifamily apartment building. When someone is manufacturing meth in one of your units, it creates health and safety risks that can impact all your tenants. Meth is made from harmful chemicals that can contaminate your entire property, leading to serious health issues for anyone who comes into contact over an extended period of time. The chemicals being mixed in meth labs are highly combustible, creating explosion and fire dangers. The cost associated with restoring an apartment contaminated by meth can be very expensive, and the damage to your building’s reputation can affect your ability to attract tenants. The impact to your bottom line can be significant for several years.
Knowing the warning signs of meth being manufactured in your building, as well as the steps to take in the immediate aftermath, will help you minimize the long-term risks to your property, the health and safety of your tenants, and your building’s reputation.
What Are Common Signs of Meth Production in Apartments?
While it can often be difficult to conclusively prove one of your tenants is manufacturing meth in their apartment, there are several warning signs that are indicative of this behavior. When you notice several of the following signs, it’s worth investigating whether your tenant is producing meth:
- Chemical Smells – Scents associated with ammonia, ether, acetone or paint thinner are often a sign of meth production.
- Unusual Equipment – Common equipment used in meth production includes rubber hosing, glass containers, pressurized cylinders, camp stove fuel canisters, propane tanks, respiratory masks and rubber gloves.
- Chemicals and Medications – Large quantities of over-the-counter decongestants or stimulants containing pseudoephedrine or ephedrine, as well as chemicals such as paint thinners, lye, freon, acetone, sulfuric acid, ammonia and phosphoric acid are commonly found at meth labs. If you notice these items in your trash, it may be a sign that one of your tenants is producing meth.
- Dead Grass and Outdoor Stains – It’s common for meth producers to dump used waste chemicals on the ground outside of their building. If you see patches of dead grass without an obvious explanation, it may be a sign that meth chemicals are being dumped there. Dumped chemicals can also cause permanent staining to soil or concrete on your property.
- Complaints from Neighbors – If one of your tenants is producing meth, there’s a good chance their neighbors will notice something suspicious. Common tenant complaints that may be a sign of a meth lab include windows that are blacked out, lots of frequent short visits (especially at odd hours), or reports of issues such as frequent headaches, nausea or dizziness from strong odors.
Important Actions to Take if You Suspect a Meth Lab Is in Your Building
A meth lab in your multifamily apartment building is a serious problem that requires prompt action. Handling the situation correctly is critical to ensure safe conditions for the rest of your residents.
Call the Police and Keep Residents Away from Dangerous Areas
If you notice several of the warning signs discussed above, you should notify the police right away and report the specific observations you’ve made. Keep other residents away from the suspected unit as well as any common areas nearby since exposure to meth contamination can result in serious health issues.
Don’t Enter the Unit
Never enter a unit if you suspect it’s being used to produce meth:
- You may face serious health risks from exposure to hazardous chemicals in the unit
- The tenant may potentially respond violently if confronted about meth production in the unit
- Disturbing any evidence in the unit can potentially interfere with a subsequent police investigation
Wait for the police to arrive to ensure the situation is addressed safely and properly.
Document All Evidence
Documenting the following items will help support future police investigations, tenant eviction proceedings, insurance claims and meth cleanup efforts:
- Dates, times and exact observations of suspicious activity, including unusual odors, covered windows, heavy foot traffic, chemical trash or strange nighttime activity
- Neighbor complaints
- Unusual maintenance reports
- Utility anomalies
- Photos of the unit (if they can be taken safely from a public or common area)
Consult with Your Attorney
Before taking any actions such as serving eviction notices, make sure to speak with your landlord-tenant attorney. Eviction proceedings have to follow the proper court process and failing to do so can potentially cause you to lose your eviction case.
Colorado has enacted regulations governing the actions taken to clean up a meth-contaminated residence. Failing to follow the proper procedures can result in costly fines for your building. Your attorney can help you understand the laws governing this process to ensure you handle the cleanup correctly.
Meth Cleanup Should Always Be Handled by Professionals
Properties that have been contaminated by methamphetamine, whether from production or prolonged use, require professional decontamination to ensure they’re safe for occupancy. It’s critical to work with a restoration company that specializes in meth decontamination to ensure the process is handled correctly, all state and federal regulations have been addressed, and all health risks have been eliminated.
Meth residue can stay embedded in walls, HVAC systems, carpets and porous surfaces, causing long-term health issues for your other tenants if cleanup isn’t handled by a trained professional. Your building may also be exposed to costly liability issues and irreparable damage to your reputation when this process isn’t addressed properly.
Working with a professional meth decontamination company:
- Protects other tenants and common areas from cross contamination
- Helps you document all remediation efforts for your insurance company and health department regulators
- Reduces the risk that future potential tenants will view your building as unsafe to inhabit
Professional meth decontamination companies will use the following process to ensure safe conditions are restored at your property:
- Inspection and Testing – All areas will be assessed using surface and air testing to confirm contamination levels.
- Containment –
Containment zones will be established to prevent cross-contamination.
- Cleaning, Decontamination and Disposal –
EPA-approved cleaning agents will be used to sanitize porous and non-porous surfaces, HVAC systems will be treated, and all contaminated materials will be safely disposed of. All appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) will be used to ensure worker safety.
- Post-Decontamination Testing and Restoration –
The property will be tested after cleanup to confirm it meets required safety standards. Any necessary restoration work will be performed on your property prior to reoccupancy.
HRS Restoration Can Help
If you’ve experienced meth contamination at your apartment building,
HRS Restoration can help restore safe conditions for your residents. We’ve been the leading restoration company in the Denver area for over 50 years due to our reputation for delivering exceptional quality work at affordable prices. When you choose HRS for your multifamily apartment building’s methamphetamine abatement, you’ll have peace of mind that the job will be done right:
- Our expert technicians are certified to handle methamphetamine abatement
- We use the latest cleaning technologies to ensure a complete and thorough cleanup
- Our team performs all services according to industry best practices, and we adhere to all local, state and federal regulations governing meth cleanup
HRS Restoration is a subsidiary of
Haselden Construction, a third-generation, family-owned construction company serving Denver for over 50 years. Our affiliation with Haselden allows us to perform every aspect of the job in-house for a more streamlined process and hassle-free experience. Our team has the ability to customize your meth cleanup plan to ensure the specific needs of your building are met throughout the entire process. We’ll also handle all insurance documentation for you to facilitate a smoother claims process that helps you maximize the benefits to which you’re entitled.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment. HRS serves multi-family apartment buildings in Denver and throughout the Front Range.
