The tenant you're considering looks like they are going to work out great. He informs you that you needn't bother coming by for the rent each month as he'll deliver the cash to you, and he isn't picky at all about the amenities in the rental unit. It seems pretty good, right? Wrong. Things like this should be huge red flags.
In Canada, marijuana grow ops in rental properties are causing landlords major problems. If a tenant puts together a grow op in a residential unit, the home can sustain significant damage. The conclusion that these people come to is usually to do this on someone else's property to avoid personal risk.
As marijuana grow ops are criminal operations, there is a risk of weapons being on the premises. Wiring is often tampered with and hydro meters can be bypassed, so the fire hazard in the home goes up significantly. The humidity in the home goes way up during a grow because of all the water that is required during the operation, and mould is a common result.
And, as a rule, any damage caused by your tenants is not covered by your insurance. Sadly, your property could be mouldy, unsafe, gutted, or possible destroyed completely due to a fire.
What can a landlord do to protect themselves from tenants that are looking to use the property for an illegal grow operation?
Tenants must always be screened thoroughly. A rental agreement is important, but if you don't follow up and contact the prospective tenant's former employers and landlords, it could be disastrous for you.
You should check their identification to verify who they are. And record the information. Inform them that monthly inspections of the home's exterior will be done. And you reserve the right to do interior inspections with the proper notice. When tenants know that each month you will be showing up to collect the rent cheque, the unscrupulous tenants will probably look elsewhere to rent.
Let them know that you have good relations with the neighbors around the property. Make the tenants aware that you talk to the neighbors often. Undesirable tenants won't want that kind of pressure from neighbors looking in, so they may look elsewhere for their grow op. Be at the home on the date when the tenants are moving in. This way you can make sure they're actually moving in, and you can reinforce any special conditions of the rental agreement.
Seeing the warning signs
Be wary if:
The tenants want to pay rents in cash. A tenant with deceptive motives may offer you extra rent, and if this happens, it's highly suspicious. The tenant doesn't pay much attention to the home's layout, and instead focuses on the electrical panel. When a tenant acts this way, they might be thinking about changing the wiring in order to put in 1000 watt bulbs. Being suspicious can be helpful in this situation.
The tenant drives an expensive car, but doesn't have current employment. After a tenant has moved in, you could find a grow op by doing outside inspections on a regular basis, and if you notice it early, you can avoid any further damage to your rental unit.
Look for indications like these:
Blocked windows that are covered in bed sheets, heavy curtains, or black plastic and are pushed up close to the windows. More than the usual amount of condensation on windows.
A strong chemical smell from the home, or perhaps a skunk-like odour.
The sound of equipment humming all the time, like fans or ventilation.
An unusually high number of visitors, and if they always come and go late, it's more suspicious.
Unusual items around the yard like discarded potting soil, wiring, bedding plant pots, or other equipment or debris.
If the hydro meter looks like it has been altered.
Guard dogs are sometimes a sign of illegal activity.
You could end up having to spend an incredible amount of money to restore the home, and insurance may not cover you, so beware of the signs of this dangerous activity. Do everything you can in order to protect your rental property from major damages.
In Canada, marijuana grow ops in rental properties are causing landlords major problems. If a tenant puts together a grow op in a residential unit, the home can sustain significant damage. The conclusion that these people come to is usually to do this on someone else's property to avoid personal risk.
As marijuana grow ops are criminal operations, there is a risk of weapons being on the premises. Wiring is often tampered with and hydro meters can be bypassed, so the fire hazard in the home goes up significantly. The humidity in the home goes way up during a grow because of all the water that is required during the operation, and mould is a common result.
And, as a rule, any damage caused by your tenants is not covered by your insurance. Sadly, your property could be mouldy, unsafe, gutted, or possible destroyed completely due to a fire.
What can a landlord do to protect themselves from tenants that are looking to use the property for an illegal grow operation?
Tenants must always be screened thoroughly. A rental agreement is important, but if you don't follow up and contact the prospective tenant's former employers and landlords, it could be disastrous for you.
You should check their identification to verify who they are. And record the information. Inform them that monthly inspections of the home's exterior will be done. And you reserve the right to do interior inspections with the proper notice. When tenants know that each month you will be showing up to collect the rent cheque, the unscrupulous tenants will probably look elsewhere to rent.
Let them know that you have good relations with the neighbors around the property. Make the tenants aware that you talk to the neighbors often. Undesirable tenants won't want that kind of pressure from neighbors looking in, so they may look elsewhere for their grow op. Be at the home on the date when the tenants are moving in. This way you can make sure they're actually moving in, and you can reinforce any special conditions of the rental agreement.
Seeing the warning signs
Be wary if:
The tenants want to pay rents in cash. A tenant with deceptive motives may offer you extra rent, and if this happens, it's highly suspicious. The tenant doesn't pay much attention to the home's layout, and instead focuses on the electrical panel. When a tenant acts this way, they might be thinking about changing the wiring in order to put in 1000 watt bulbs. Being suspicious can be helpful in this situation.
The tenant drives an expensive car, but doesn't have current employment. After a tenant has moved in, you could find a grow op by doing outside inspections on a regular basis, and if you notice it early, you can avoid any further damage to your rental unit.
Look for indications like these:
Blocked windows that are covered in bed sheets, heavy curtains, or black plastic and are pushed up close to the windows. More than the usual amount of condensation on windows.
A strong chemical smell from the home, or perhaps a skunk-like odour.
The sound of equipment humming all the time, like fans or ventilation.
An unusually high number of visitors, and if they always come and go late, it's more suspicious.
Unusual items around the yard like discarded potting soil, wiring, bedding plant pots, or other equipment or debris.
If the hydro meter looks like it has been altered.
Guard dogs are sometimes a sign of illegal activity.
You could end up having to spend an incredible amount of money to restore the home, and insurance may not cover you, so beware of the signs of this dangerous activity. Do everything you can in order to protect your rental property from major damages.
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