{"id":2316,"date":"2017-01-31T08:49:04","date_gmt":"2017-01-31T08:49:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.citylets.co.uk\/blog\/?p=2316"},"modified":"2022-12-20T14:51:59","modified_gmt":"2022-12-20T14:51:59","slug":"cannabis-farms-weed-them-out-of-your-rental-property","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.citylets.co.uk\/blog\/cannabis-farms-weed-them-out-of-your-rental-property\/","title":{"rendered":"Cannabis Farms \u2013 Weed Them Out of Your Rental Property"},"content":{"rendered":"

When choosing tenants for your rental property you look for someone tidy, honest, responsible and reliable to pay the rent on time. It may understandably not occur to you at first to look for any signs they could be potential drug cultivators. Sounds a bit over the top?<\/p>\n

It is said that cannabis (Class B drug) is the most widely used of illegal drugs in the UK and according to landlord insurer Direct Line<\/a> for Business, over 90% of the factories are located in domestic premises.<\/p>\n

Cannabis farms in rental properties<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\u201cCannabis farms are becoming more prevalent in residential properties and can lead to thousands of pounds of damage along with a costly and difficult eviction. Landlords need to be vigilant in order to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of this crime,\u201d according to John Blackwood from the Scottish Association of Landlords, “as it is often them who pay the price.”<\/p>\n

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Only recently media have reported a case where two cousins were jailed for turning the property they were renting in Hartlepool into one of these cannabis farms. They were in possession of 23 cannabis plants, capable of producing 989 grams worth nearly \u00a310,000. What gave them away was the high electricity bill which alerted the landlord<\/a> who contacted the police as soon as he discovered the cannabis in his property. Both defendants pleaded guilty and were jailed for 13 and 9 months. They had multiple previous convictions including drug offences.<\/p>\n

What does the law say?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 a landlord or letting agent<\/a> who allows their rental property to be used for production or supply of controlled drugs can receive a maximum of 14 years in prison and\/or a fine. Landlords who turn a blind eye not only can face a criminal prosecution but also bankruptcy as most insurers will not cover for loss of rent or damage resulting from criminal activity. Therefore, it is important to stay vigilant.<\/p>\n

Tell-tale signs<\/strong><\/h4>\n