Methamphetamine laboratories and marijuana crop operations are spreading all over Ontario. As a residential landlord, you are targeted! Almost all marijuana growers use rental properties
to avoid damage to their own properties producing huge profits for them. These grow ops cause considerable damage and can render you rental unusable unless expensive repairs are undertaken.
You may even be held responsible (see story on the right!)
This isn’t just happening in the ‘bad areas of town!’ There are many cases of an unsuspecting Landlord believeing he or she is entering into a rental agreement with a reputable tenant
who is in reality acting as a front for marijuana growers. It’s usually the case that these seemingly “great” tenants show up with excellent references and pay the first and last month’s
rent, sometimes by cash or even with a certified cheque.
Under Ontario residential tenancy laws, you cannot forcibly enter your rental property if you suspect illegal activity. You have to give 24 hours notice. Enough time for a savy grop op
operator to clean up. And they’ll likely find reasons to delay the inspection or simply not answer the door or let you in leading to a long eviction process. What can you do? Not much.
Except watch for the following warning signs:
Pre-tenancy:
- Do the applicants offer to pay in cash?
- Are they willing to pay more than rental asking price?
- Do they leave gaps in theri rental application?
- Do they refuse to give a home phone number?
- Are they not interested in the design of the unit?
- Are they more interested in the electrical panel than the colour of the bathroom?
Tenancy:
- Have they registered utilities under a different name?
- Are your Tenants reluctant to allow you to inspect their rented property?
- Do your Tenants make arrangements to meet you away from the property to pay rent or discuss problems.
- Frequent visitors for short periods of time, especially at night.?
Danger Will Robinson!
- Covered windows, covered with black plastic, heavy curtains pressed against windows, make shift covers such as bed sheets or blinds that are tightly shut and pressed against the
windows. - Condensation on the windows.
- Localized power surges or decreased power.
Hydro meters have been tampered with or consumption is unusually high. - Radio or television left on 24 hours a day.
- Discarded equiment and garbage bags are regularly carried in and out. Garbage has numerous bottles and containers such as, acetone, methanol, rubbing alcohol, sodium hydroxide, ether,
paint thinner, ammonia, etc.
Remember, current laws do little to protect YOU and YOUR FAMILY. If you suspect a grow op in your rental, get legal advice from an experienced and reputable professional.
