You read about all the time in the paper. What you don’t typically read about is the poor landlord, who has a huge repair bill from all the damage caused by such illegal activities.
You’re talking thousands of pounds. Big MONEY.
That’s right – if someone is going to set up a cannabis factory in your rented property, it takes a fair bit of effort on their part. They will usually bypass the main electrics, knock out holes in walls (for ventilation), and do whatever else is necessary to maximise their investment! Just like you, they want a good return on their property investment!
This is becoming an increasingly common problem, illegal gains from this kind of thing can run into hundreds of thousand of pounds per property. However don’t worry there are some relatively straight forward things you can do to help prevent this if you are going to rent a property out.
1. Don’t accept the 1st person that comes along with a wad of cash
2. Ensure everyone completes a detailed application form. If you haven’t got one, just ask me. Consider doing a CRB check
3. Soon after the person moves in arrange to inspect the property. All ROOMS!
4. If suspicious speak to the neighbours and see what activity there has been at the property
Remember your landlord insurance may not cover you against this kind of thing. And anyway you don’t want your premium going up.
In Your Service,
Jon Bieri
P.S Criminal are becoming increasingly clever at pulling the wool over landlords eye’s so do for one minute assume that nice couple aren’t a front for something else. Be very thorough when checking everything out!