Growing in rentals

[Shliite]

I'm wondering, how many people out there are growing in rental properties. I know there is language in my lease that prohibits "illegal grow operations and sales", etc. Now that it's technically not illegal to grow, could I legally grow in my apartment?

Is it reasonable to think that I will ever be able to openly grow in a rental property? I get the feeling that unless i own my own place, i'll still be stuck hiding my operation and the new law really hasn't changed much for me.

 

[monsoon]

Your understanding is correct.

The new law specifically allows all property owners in Colorado the right to prohibit you from growing, possessing, or using marijuana on their property. As a renter, you technically have no rights in this area, "legal" or not....A64 or not.

Time to pony up and buy yer own place or be ready to tear down and move 24/7/365.

Folks thinking of moving here and growing need to be aware of this as well

 

[festivus]

Growing in rentals is tricky, an absentee owner or lazy property manager is helpful. Here they need to give a 48 hour notice prior to entry, but can enter at any time in case of an "emergency", so RE-KEY the locks!

Recently, I had an inspection in a rental that had 80+ plants. I've got a large truck with a tall camper-type shell on the back. Did the middle of the night move and had evertying clean as a whistle the next day. What a pain in the ass! It was touch and go, but I survived and so did the plants.

 

[monsoon]

Every state is different. This is the Colorado forum.

In Colorado, an owner has the right to enter for emergency without notice and must give a 24 hour notice for any other inspection/entry.

In Colorado a tenant can change the locks but they must provide the landlord/owner with a key. If they try to lock the landlord out by changing the locks and fail to provide the landlord a key, the landlord can legally call a locksmith and gain entry without the tenant's permission. From there, not only will the tenant be legally responsible for the charges incurred via the use of the locksmith, such an action initiates a "for cause" termination that is provided to the owner by law and allows the landlord to legally give you a "3 Day Notice" to vacate the premises no matter what the lease may say.

Same thing if they enter and find your garden @ any point. Bam. This gives them a "for cause" right under the law and they can give you a 3 Day Notice with absolutely NO right/protection/recourse via the law/under amendment 64.

Best bet (buy a house)... find a cool landlord and treat them well. Failure to do so will only cause YOU to be out of a place to live.

 

[MPL]

Monsoon speaks the truth.

I've grown in a rental, but it was a very small 400w stealth grow. Even then, it really wasn't all that stealthy. I don't recommend it.

 

[Space Case]

Find a landlord stuck in a bad mortgage with a semi-rundown property somewhere also semi-rural, and help them fix the place up!

 

[MPL]

That's a great idea! If your landlord is ok with you growing that's a whole other ballgame from doing it all clandestine like.

Find a landlord stuck in a bad mortgage with a semi-rundown property somewhere also semi-rural, and help them fix the place up!

 

[Space Case]

That's a great idea! If your landlord is ok with you growing that's a whole other ballgame from doing it all clandestine like.

Even if he doesn't know you are growing. If you seem like you got it together, pay your rent on time, and are willing to spruce the place up, even if he found out you were growing later, you are already on his good side. Its a recession. Plenty of people with good intentions end up losing jobs and backing out of leases. Just being sharp and on point pays off these days.

 

[festivus]

@ Monsoon- Changing the locks won't sit well with the owner/manager, but it may give a grower just enough time to break down. Have a key ready to give them, say you forgot.

Buying a house isn't an option for a lot of growers. As an owner, I would be worried about forfeiture in case of a bust. At least in a rental, the owner can claim ignorance.

Obviously, the best option is to get their permission. Take precautions to insure the grow doesn't do any damage. As mentioned above, be a good tenant. Keep the place clean, and pay on time.

 

[Alone]

Ive grown in rentals for over 5 years. Just need to find the right one. Ive passed up many apt while looking because it didnt feel right. I like to find a lazy landlord that doesnt really give a crap about there old house, and they go on vacations for long periods of time every year.
The area/location is a key factor too. Get a feel for the neighborhood when you arive to look at a place. Get there 30 minutes early and just hang out in the car and see whats going on around the street. Get a bad vibe...dont rent it.

 

[monsoon]

That might work and give you some time, festivus. IF you are home, that is.

CO med law and the new law will protect folks from forfietures if they stay in compliance. Most folks owe more on their homes than they are worth right now, so the Gov't doesn't usually want it either. LOL.

It's tough to have the discipline to save for a down payment on a house but folks should realize that it has never been cheaper to borrow $$ than it is now. The last time rates were 3% was in the early 50's. By the 80's they were 14%. This will happen again. The only way to fix your basic monthly cost is to own. Hopefully some folks here ARE swingin it. I can't even imagine growing in someone else's house (renting). Talk about risk of forfieture! What about your freedom?

good luck out there

 

[watts]

just change the locks on bedroom doors and stuff.. although I would only grow in a house, not apartment.

 

[Space Case]

Fuck permission. This is Colorado. If I was brewing my own beer, I wouldn't have to ask permission. If I had any other medical condition and a recommendation, I wouldn't have to ask for permission. Stick to a need-to-know basis, IMO!

 

[MPL]

That's terrible advice that could have severe consequences. The OP is asking for advice probably because he does not want to do what you recommend. It's also the same immature attitude that makes it harder on everyone else who wants to change how pot is perceived and legislated.

Fuck permission. This is Colorado. If I was brewing my own beer, I wouldn't have to ask permission. If I had any other medical condition and a recommendation, I wouldn't have to ask for permission. Stick to a need-to-know basis, IMO!

 

[Shliite]

Thanks everyone for your input so far -- this is a discussion i've been meaning to have for quite a while now.

I've grown in two different rentals, both really stealth, inside of my locked bedroom, and both in houses. There have been long periods between my operations where i didn't grow simply because I didn't feel like I could get away with it even though i really wanted to.

Owning would be nice. My number one goal in life is to own my own place and quit paying someone elses mortgage. Having said that, i'm still paying off student loans and it just doesn't seem like i'll be able to save enough for a down payment for a few more years (what do you need, ~10%?).

I guess i sort of knew the answer to my original question (i.e. its not going to be allowed unless the landlord gives permission). My follow up questions are: What would be the consequences if I was "caught" by my landlord? Would they simply have the right to make me vacate the premises within three days and take my security deposit? If they opted to get the police involved, what could be the penalty, assuming i'm abiding by all other regulations under amendment 64?

 

[MassSuperSkunk]

I can't stand growing in rentals. I can't wait to own again. So much less stress.

 

[ZinksInk]

Just a quick chime in on rental houses. Ive had a buddy have his land lord come over unannounced when he was in the process of moving out. Guess the land lord wasnt happy seeing a living room full of grow equipment. The landlord called the cops which showed up.
What happened? Well the cops told the landlord he had to leave and didn't have a right to be there at the moment. Luckily it was also a med state and my buddy had all of his paperwork in line.


WOOT WOOT WOOT.Moral of the story? Be responsible, stay within your limits, and keep that paperwork up to date.

 

[MPL]

To add to ZinksInk's post, if the landlord/management company doesn't specifically state in your lease, or tell you, before you sign or move in that you can't grow in or on their property, and as long as you don't modify ANYTHING (no ventilation holes in the walls or ceiling, no electrical changes etc.) in order to accommodate your grow, and as long as you aren't causing any type of property damage or disturbing your neighbors, then they can't really do anything about it.

Be respectful of the property owner and be smart if you are going to grow in a rental.

This only applies to "legal" grows. If it's illegal for you to grow in your state, you really need to own your grow space.

Oh, and landlords, whether a management company or an individual, will be a lot more at ease about your grow if you have good renter's insurance. It's a must if you are growing.

Just a quick chime in on rental houses. Ive had a buddy have his land lord come over unannounced when he was in the process of moving out. Guess the land lord wasnt happy seeing a living room full of grow equipment. The landlord called the cops which showed up.
What happened? Well the cops told the landlord he had to leave and didn't have a right to be there at the moment. Luckily it was also a med state and my buddy had all of his paperwork in line.


WOOT WOOT WOOT.Moral of the story? Be responsible, stay within your limits, and keep that paperwork up to date.

 

[vapedg13]

renters insurance only covers the belongings of the renter like TV playstation ect....does nothing for the owner of the home

If your grow floods the floor, you burn down his house or say police break windows and doors during a raid or you just create damage to the property

renters insurance will not cover that

 

[MPL]

nevermind