This is a different but costly peril of being a private landlord. To those who have the misfortune of experiencing such a thing, the damage caused can be truly catastrophic with landlords reporting various types of damage such as:
- Water and fire damage
- Furniture ruined or simply jettisoned
- Walls and ceilings knocked down and floorboards taken up
- Electricity meters tampered with
- Wiring removed and rewired often directly into the mains making it a serious fire hazard.
In 2006 in London alone, 50 cannabis farms were discovered as a result of house fires. The landlord of a residence in the seaside town of Boscombe has been asked for more information on his tenants after a fire in the property uncovered a large amount of cannabis plants.
In order for private landlords to avoid such damage there are key tell-tale signs. Even though landlords should be vigilant with all their properties, houses are the most likely target because a lot room is required for cultivation of the plants. Secluded properties are preferred to avoid the neighbours’ gaze and police with thermal detection equipment.
Look out for:
- Gas cylinders
- Strong vegetation smell
- Humidity such as condensation on windows
- Curtains drawn permanently or blocked out windows
- Strong lighting on in daylight
- Silver tape protruding from windows
- Bin liners filled with vegetation
- Electrics tampered with
- Rise in electricity bills
- Many visitors at all hours
- Air freshener smell
If a private landlord suspects the property to rent is being used as a cannabis factory then call the police and never approach the tenants personally.