It seems that your prospective tenant is just what you're looking for. He says he'll deliver the rent to you in cash each month, and isn't overly concerned with the amenities in the home. It seems pretty good, right? Wrong. You should recognize things like those to be giant warning signs.
Rental units being used for marijuana grow ops in Canada have become an increasing problem. When someone sets up a grow op in a residential property, they do incredible damage to the home. The simple solution for someone like this is to commit these crimes on someone else's property.
As marijuana grow ops are criminal operations, there is a risk of weapons being on the premises. The risk of fire is greatly increased when wiring is tampered with, and hydro meters are bypassed. Marijuana plants require a lot of water, resulting in high levels of humidity and mould.
In most cases, damage that tenants have caused is not protected by your insurance policy. Sadly, your property could be mouldy, unsafe, gutted, or possible destroyed completely due to a 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?
Tenants must always be screened thoroughly. Of course the rental agreement must be filled out, but you must be diligent in checking their references so you don't end up devastated financially, so call their former landlords and employers.
Make sure they show you proper identification. And record the information. Let them know that you'll be doing monthly exterior inspections. 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. Tell them that you talk to neighbours frequently. If they know the neighbours will be keeping a lookout on your behalf, it could be enough to scare away tenants with criminal intentions. Make an arrangement to be at the unit on the date when the tenants are taking possession. By being there on that date, you will be able to know if they are regular tenants just moving in their things, and if necessary you can talk to them about conditions of the rental agreement.
Recognizing red flags
You should be wary if:
Cash is how the tenants prefer to pay rent. 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. When a tenant acts this way, they might be thinking about changing the wiring in order to put in 1000 watt bulbs. If you see these signs, be suspicious.
The tenant drives an expensive car, but doesn't have current employment. If a tenant takes possession of the unit, regular inspections of the home's exterior could show you if a grow op is in operation, and if you catch if quickly, less damage will be done than if you miss the signs.
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.
Odours coming from the home, possibly skunk-like or chemical in nature.
Sounds of ventilation equipment humming all day and night.
Many visitors to the home, late at night especially.
Unusual items around the yard like discarded potting soil, wiring, bedding plant pots, or other equipment or debris.
Hydro meters that have been tampered with.
Signs indicating there is a guard dog on duty.
Your rental property could be ruined beyond repair by a marijuana grow op, and you will be stuck paying for the damages in many cases because insurance may not cover you. Protect yourself from devastating losses before they happen.
Rental units being used for marijuana grow ops in Canada have become an increasing problem. When someone sets up a grow op in a residential property, they do incredible damage to the home. The simple solution for someone like this is to commit these crimes on someone else's property.
As marijuana grow ops are criminal operations, there is a risk of weapons being on the premises. The risk of fire is greatly increased when wiring is tampered with, and hydro meters are bypassed. Marijuana plants require a lot of water, resulting in high levels of humidity and mould.
In most cases, damage that tenants have caused is not protected by your insurance policy. Sadly, your property could be mouldy, unsafe, gutted, or possible destroyed completely due to a 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?
Tenants must always be screened thoroughly. Of course the rental agreement must be filled out, but you must be diligent in checking their references so you don't end up devastated financially, so call their former landlords and employers.
Make sure they show you proper identification. And record the information. Let them know that you'll be doing monthly exterior inspections. 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. Tell them that you talk to neighbours frequently. If they know the neighbours will be keeping a lookout on your behalf, it could be enough to scare away tenants with criminal intentions. Make an arrangement to be at the unit on the date when the tenants are taking possession. By being there on that date, you will be able to know if they are regular tenants just moving in their things, and if necessary you can talk to them about conditions of the rental agreement.
Recognizing red flags
You should be wary if:
Cash is how the tenants prefer to pay rent. 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. When a tenant acts this way, they might be thinking about changing the wiring in order to put in 1000 watt bulbs. If you see these signs, be suspicious.
The tenant drives an expensive car, but doesn't have current employment. If a tenant takes possession of the unit, regular inspections of the home's exterior could show you if a grow op is in operation, and if you catch if quickly, less damage will be done than if you miss the signs.
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.
Odours coming from the home, possibly skunk-like or chemical in nature.
Sounds of ventilation equipment humming all day and night.
Many visitors to the home, late at night especially.
Unusual items around the yard like discarded potting soil, wiring, bedding plant pots, or other equipment or debris.
Hydro meters that have been tampered with.
Signs indicating there is a guard dog on duty.
Your rental property could be ruined beyond repair by a marijuana grow op, and you will be stuck paying for the damages in many cases because insurance may not cover you. Protect yourself from devastating losses before they happen.
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