Meth - Information On Utah Law For Park City Property Management
In a previous article titled "Stigmatized Property - Info From Property Management Park City Utah" I wrote briefly about the idea of a stigmatized property and that contamination through drug use or manufacture, including methamphetamine or meth, puts certain requirements on the owner or landlord of a property. For the full text of that post you can click here. Today I would like to talk a little more about meth in particular and some of the laws regarding Utah property management. This is of course not designed to be any form of legal opinion. I am not an attorney and if you require further information for your Park City property management needs you should consult with an attorney licensed in the state of Utah.
Methamphetamine
Meth is a highly addictive, man-made substance that has been around for several decades. It can be made or "cooked" in small laboratories from household chemicals. These chemicals are dangerous to the environment and people in general. Meth can be introduced to the body by injection, ingestion, smoking or snorting. The two most common methods are injection and smoking, with smoking being the most damaging to a property. Fortunately for most property owners and landlords the cooking of meth has been in decline in Utah over the last decade. Meth use however continues to rise. The production of meth involves toxic and flammable chemicals that can leave a significant residue in a property where meth is produced. Smoking meth in a property also produces this residue on walls, ceilings, floors, ventilation ducts, essentially every place it contacts. If you have reason to believe meth is being used or cooked in a property you manage you can have the property professionally tested. You can find a list of state approved testing companies here.
Decontamination
Once meth has been discovered in a property a complete decontamination must take place. It is necessary in the leasing or sale of a property to disclose meth contamination. If there has been police action along with the property being identified as a meth lab, or if the property tests positive for meth decontamination is required. The rules and procedures for decontamination are lengthy. There is a state wide standard known as State Rule 392-600. This rule serves as the basis for all meth decontamination in the state. Local health departments also have a say in any additional procedures required for meth decontamination so check with your local health department as well. Decontamination can be carried out by a specialist or the owner of record for the property. If an owner undertakes decontamination they must follow all the state rules including conducting an assessment, submitting a work plan, following all required procedures for decontamination and disposal of material, and confirm that any remaining meth traces are below the standard set in State Rule 392-600. If you would like to read the full text of the rule you can do so here.
Help For Landlords
The Utah Department of Health has produced a useful FAQ sheet for landlords that offers brief explanations of what methamphetamine is, the responsibilities of a landlord, a checklist detailing potential signs of meth use or production, methods of testing for meth, and information about State Rule 392-600. You can find this helpful FAQ sheet by clicking here. As I stated earlier landlords are fortunate that the rate of meth production has declined steadily over the last decade. Meth use continues to rise and does pose a potential for property damage depending on the amount used by a tenant as well as the method. Property owners who are involved in Park City property management should call local law enforcement if they suspect their tenants are using or producing methamphetamine.
If you are interested in learning more about property management Park City Utah, download our free white page "5 Questions Every Landlord Should Ask Themselves".
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