An Auckland family is outraged their former landlord will pay just $500 in compensation, after they lived in a P-contaminated house for more than three years.
Belinda Hughes has been chasing the landlord for $50,000 - including moving costs, replacement of furniture, bond and a rent refund.
Ms Hughes, who unknowingly lived in the contaminated house in Pollock with her partner and teenage son up until January, says the pay-out ordered by the Tenancy Tribunal is an insult.
"It's a joke," she says. "They may as well have given me nothing. $500 - maybe we'll go out for dinner or something, because that's about all it'll cover.
"If I had got the $4000 to replace my furniture, it would have been better than a kick in the teeth, which is basically what I got."
Ms Hughes believes her family's time in the house affected the health of her 18-year-old son, who suffered respiratory problems.
She became suspicious and found the house was contaminated after paying a company almost $370 to test for P.
The family were forced to burn all their furniture and are still "living out of suitcases", she says.
Now Ms Hughes is urging other tenants to get their rental properties tested.
"If you have any doubts, get it tested before you move in," she says.
"It's a small amount to pay for peace of mind, for your family's health and well-being."
Graham McCready, who is advocating on behalf of Ms Hughes, says the case sets a terrible precedent.
"It does send a message to tenants - don't trust your landlord, because otherwise you'll get screwed," he says.
"[The compensation] is totally inadequate. I think that this case ought to go on appeal."
Mr McCready said it should be mandatory for landlords to test houses for meth contamination in between tenants.
He said rather than ringing their landlord on the phone, tenants should submit any issues in writing, so the documents can be used as evidence in court if necessary.
Mr McCready is an active private prosecutor, known for suing politicians.
Newshub.
