Landlords beware of rented properties being used as drug factories

Mar 12 2009 by John Cranage, Birmingham Post

Landlords are being warned their properties could be housing cannabis factories.

The National Landlords’ Association (NLA), which represents private residential landlords, issued the warning after 29 police forces reported a sharp rise in the amount of cannabis produced in “factories” set up inside rented houses.

Although this is not a new problem, the NLA is reminding landlords to be aware of what could be going on behind the doors of their properties. Stories include a landlord who took six months’ rent up-front from a tenant, only to find the police knocking at his door. The tenant had demolished the internal walls of the property to create polytunnels where he was growing cannabis.

The NLA has also heard of methylamphetamine (commonly known as crystal meth) also being produced in rented properties. The process, while illegal, is also highly dangerous owing to the nature of the highly flammable elements used in producing the drug.

Police recommend landlords complete full and proper reference checks with both previous employers and previous landlords before entering into a tenancy agreement. They should also be on the look out for:

n A strong smell of de-odourisers or air fresheners to disguise the smell of drug production.

n Lights being left on all day and night and curtains and blinds drawn.

n A sudden jump or fall in electricity bills.

n Possible rewiring.

n High humidity in the property.

NLS chairman David Salusbury said: “Naturally this kind of news is worrying for landlords, but by taking references and making regular visits to your property, these problems can be avoided.

“The onus is on landlords to know what is going on in their property.”