The tenant you're considering looks like they are going to work out great. He wants to pay his rent in cash, doesn't care about the amenities in the home, and even offers to deliver the rent to you each month so you needn't bother coming by the house. It seems pretty good, right? Wrong. You should recognize things like those to be giant warning signs.
Marijuana grow ops in rental properties are a huge problem in many areas across Canada. Homes can be damaged irreparably when a grow op is operated inside a rental unit. The simple solution for someone like this is to commit these crimes on someone else's property.
Many growers keep dangerous weapons in the home in order to protect themselves from other criminals. They could be tampering with the hydro meter and the wiring, and if this is so, the risk of a fire in the home increases dramatically. Mould is a typical result from the excess humidity in the home because of the water required in growing marijuana.
Generally, if your tenants have caused this damage, your insurance will not protect you. So you could be stuck with a gutted, mouldy, unsafe home, or one that has been completely devastated by fire.
So, how can you make sure that your home isn't going to be destroyed and turned into a grow op by unscrupulous tenants?
Screening your tenants is very important, so do this carefully. 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.
Have them present their government issued identification to you. And record the information. Tell the prospective tenants that exterior inspections will be done each month. Also let them know that you will be doing periodic interior inspections in accordance with the law. If the tenants know that you're going to show up every month to collect rent, the undesirable tenants might not want to rent your unit.
Advise them that you know your neighbours. Tell them that you talk to neighbours frequently. Undesirable tenants won't want that kind of pressure from neighbors looking in, so they may look elsewhere for their grow op. Make an arrangement to be at the unit on the date when the tenants are taking possession. This way you can make sure they're actually moving in, and you can reinforce any special conditions of the rental agreement.
Noticing when things look suspicious
You should be wary if:
They want to make cash payments. And if they offer you more rent than you're asking for, consider it a warning sign that something may be fishy. They're more interested in the electrical panel than in the layout of the home. A tenant who is overly interested in the panel might be considering if the home can handle 1000 watt bulbs to build the grow op. Be suspicious.
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:
Windows covered with black plastic, bed sheets, or heavy curtains that are drawn tightly shut, and are pressed up against the windows. Look for excessive condensation on the windows.
Odours coming from the home, possibly skunk-like or chemical in nature.
The sound of equipment humming all the time, like fans or ventilation.
Frequent visitors, often late at night.
Garbage or equipment, such as bedding plant pots, discarded potting soil, piping, or wiring lying about the yard.
Hydro meters that have been tampered with.
Signs indicating there is a guard dog on duty.
Marijuana grow ops can completely destroy your rental property leaving you with a massive repair bill, and often no insurance coverage. Take the necessary steps to minimize the risks of occurrences like these.
Marijuana grow ops in rental properties are a huge problem in many areas across Canada. Homes can be damaged irreparably when a grow op is operated inside a rental unit. The simple solution for someone like this is to commit these crimes on someone else's property.
Many growers keep dangerous weapons in the home in order to protect themselves from other criminals. They could be tampering with the hydro meter and the wiring, and if this is so, the risk of a fire in the home increases dramatically. Mould is a typical result from the excess humidity in the home because of the water required in growing marijuana.
Generally, if your tenants have caused this damage, your insurance will not protect you. So you could be stuck with a gutted, mouldy, unsafe home, or one that has been completely devastated by fire.
So, how can you make sure that your home isn't going to be destroyed and turned into a grow op by unscrupulous tenants?
Screening your tenants is very important, so do this carefully. 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.
Have them present their government issued identification to you. And record the information. Tell the prospective tenants that exterior inspections will be done each month. Also let them know that you will be doing periodic interior inspections in accordance with the law. If the tenants know that you're going to show up every month to collect rent, the undesirable tenants might not want to rent your unit.
Advise them that you know your neighbours. Tell them that you talk to neighbours frequently. Undesirable tenants won't want that kind of pressure from neighbors looking in, so they may look elsewhere for their grow op. Make an arrangement to be at the unit on the date when the tenants are taking possession. This way you can make sure they're actually moving in, and you can reinforce any special conditions of the rental agreement.
Noticing when things look suspicious
You should be wary if:
They want to make cash payments. And if they offer you more rent than you're asking for, consider it a warning sign that something may be fishy. They're more interested in the electrical panel than in the layout of the home. A tenant who is overly interested in the panel might be considering if the home can handle 1000 watt bulbs to build the grow op. Be suspicious.
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:
Windows covered with black plastic, bed sheets, or heavy curtains that are drawn tightly shut, and are pressed up against the windows. Look for excessive condensation on the windows.
Odours coming from the home, possibly skunk-like or chemical in nature.
The sound of equipment humming all the time, like fans or ventilation.
Frequent visitors, often late at night.
Garbage or equipment, such as bedding plant pots, discarded potting soil, piping, or wiring lying about the yard.
Hydro meters that have been tampered with.
Signs indicating there is a guard dog on duty.
Marijuana grow ops can completely destroy your rental property leaving you with a massive repair bill, and often no insurance coverage. Take the necessary steps to minimize the risks of occurrences like these.
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