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Visit from city inspector = eviction

highbrid1

Member
I write this mostly to give people some insight on long-term apartment growing and knowing when to call it quits. If you're familiar with the legalities of the situation and have some knowledge on the subject, I'd love to hear it.

I've now lived in the same one bedroom apartment for 10 and a half years in a medial marijuana friendly city. I've consistently paid my rent on time, been a good neighbor, kept my place clean, etc. My apartment is an upscale "luxury townhome" and I get a great deal on rent because of how long I've been here. Two years ago new management bought the building and the quality of service has fallen off considerably. I've been at odds with this regime for everything from damaging my car to not repairing things in a timely manner (if at all), and have been openly unhappy with their service, voicing that in an angry and possibly threatening tone.

I've also been growing most of the time I've lived here, normally in the range of 15-40 plants, 1500-2000w, at any given time -- beyond what's permitted medically. I've had neighbors complain to the landlord about a smell coming from my apartment and dodged it. I've had so many walk-throughs and inspections that I lost count. I've always followed the simple guidelines like not putting anything incriminated in my buildings trash, keeping traffic minimal, not making waves, etc.

The beginning of the end started 2 weeks ago when I had a visit from a city inspector. I've had an 8 x 4 tent in my bedroom for 2 years now and have survived several visits from landlords and maintenance explaining it as a storage unit (if they even asked), so I figured the same would work with the city inspector -- wrong. He asked me to open the tent. I did not have a grow going, but did have 2 lights hanging, carbon filter, ducting, pots filled with soil and some harvested, dead plants from a recent grow. I refused to let him open the tent, explained it as a storage unit, and said he had to leave because I had to get back to work. A few minutes later he looked in my shower and saw 20-30 empty pots. I did not expect him to look in there either. He told me it was okay if I had plants in the tent as long as I have a permit, but I didn't buy it and still refused to open the tent. Like I said, I'm generally over the limit.

A week later I'm informed by my landlord that the inspector failed the test because of my tent and will need access again next month. I responded to that by telling him I will be out of town the last half of next month (not true). The next day I got home from work to find a "60-day notice to quit" on my door essentially telling me I need to move out in two months or will be evicted. The notice does not provide any reason. Apparently because I am month-to-month and have no rent control, ownership can ask me to leave me at any time without providing a reason.

Rental prices in my area are at an all-time high, so now I will more than likely end up paying much more in rent for a place nowhere near as nice as my current one. If I had any idea I could be forced out without even being provided a reason, I would of been much more compliant and respectful of management here. I have already been denied in a attempt at reconciliation and am sure they are motivated to get me out so they can charge another $400 for my unit. From what I know, my only legal out is suing them for discrimination or me complaining too much, which is supposedly futile and expensive.

Also, suffice it to say that after growing large in the same apartment for 10 years, it is probably a wise choice to either quit growing or move into a new location. This is something I figured was in my best interest before the inspector ordeal.
 

gaiusmarius

me
Veteran
sorry to hear about your situation man, it's never fun when shit goes sideways. i do have to say you brought this on yourself. should have appreciated your situation more. as a grower any step you take regarding grow location needs to be thought through thoroughly before 1 step is taken. i know people that do all their own repairs on their own dime just to have a hassle free time. personally i make sure to get on well with neighbors and building managers, even if they are in the wrong about some shit, will just nod and agree with them. live and let live kind of thing. i never complain lol. live and learn, i'm sure you are right and they are seeing $ signs. but of course you made it easy for them, should have taken the grow down, or if not show it as medical and get rid of extra plants after the guy is gone in case he comes back with the law.

best of luck getting a new place sorted.
 

bmp420gti

Member
Well look at it like this, 10 years you been wasting your money instead of putting it into a mortgage for something you can own, maybe its time to try and get a loan? This could be a new start for you to get something you can actually own instead of just rent.
 

resinryder

Rubbing my glands together
Veteran
When you take it to court, or if you decide to go that route, you will lose. Landlord will request you pay their attorney fees, time, damages(which will add up no matter how well off you leave the place), etc and the judge will issue a judgment against you.
The city inspector was their way of starting the eviction process. Had you complied and I can fully understand why you didn't, maybe things would have been different. They want more rent and wouldn't have been getting it from you.
 

highbrid1

Member
sorry to hear about your situation man, it's never fun when shit goes sideways. i do have to say you brought this on yourself. should have appreciated your situation more. as a grower any step you take regarding grow location needs to be thought through thoroughly before 1 step is taken. i know people that do all their own repairs on their own dime just to have a hassle free time. personally i make sure to get on well with neighbors and building managers, even if they are in the wrong about some shit, will just nod and agree with them. live and let live kind of thing. i never complain lol. live and learn, i'm sure you are right and they are seeing $ signs. but of course you made it easy for them, should have taken the grow down, or if not show it as medical and get rid of extra plants after the guy is gone in case he comes back with the law.

best of luck getting a new place sorted.

Thanks. I agree with just about all this. I always felt like there are two ways people get caught. You either have some unavoidable bad luck like the person above you flooding their place or you get too comfortable, take things for granted and let your guard down. The latter probably applies to me, I just never have experienced anyone trying to get inside a concealed grow space, and I had a 6x3 grow box in there for 6 years before the tent which they never commented on.

I also find it ironic that all this went down without me even having a grow going. It was basically a result of me having grow equipment. Either that or my greedy, bottom-dollar apt management wanting to get another $400 for rent.

Well look at it like this, 10 years you been wasting your money instead of putting it into a mortgage for something you can own, maybe its time to try and get a loan? This could be a new start for you to get something you can actually own instead of just rent.

This is the first thing that crossed my mind when considering what's next. Unfortunately, decent condos where I live go for around 500k for 1100sqft and I'd like to put 20% down, but don't have that kind of cash right now. It still is a possibility though.

When you take it to court, or if you decide to go that route, you will lose. Landlord will request you pay their attorney fees, time, damages(which will add up no matter how well off you leave the place), etc and the judge will issue a judgment against you.
The city inspector was their way of starting the eviction process. Had you complied and I can fully understand why you didn't, maybe things would have been different. They want more rent and wouldn't have been getting it from you.

I've had a few people suggest that all this might of been a ploy to get rid of me and it's entirely possible. I know several people that live in the neighborhood and none of them have EVER dealt with a city inspection. I was also recently informed that I should expect this in addition to two fire alarm inspections per year going forward, also unheard of. I'm pretty sure they've at least suspected I've been growing for a long time now. It was a tainted relationship and time for me to move on regardless.

I've been hardwired to deny any kind of potentially self-incriminating action, so it was automatic to deny his request to see the tent and I don't regret it at all. Obviously with an 8x4 tent I'm well beyond the legal limit and they would of known for sure what was going on if I opened it. And no, I don't plan on fighting it.



The tent has been relegated to the storage unit I claimed it to be by removing the lighting, ducting, ballasts, timers, filter, etc. Also been busy sifting through 10+ years of crap. I looked at a few new places yesterday and holy shit are they expensive. I can plan on spending half of my day-job income on rent.
 

wildgrow

, The Ghost of
Veteran
You were a thorn in the new managements side. They saw a way to get you out and get more $.

Along the lines of what Gaius is saying, its better they don't even hear from you. Dripping faucet, running toilet, bad light switch/outlet - all really cheap and easy fixes you can do yourself in minutes.

Good luck finding a new place.
 

JointOperation

Active member
depends on what u signed for an agreement.. if they said u cannot do shit there. then that's one thing. but if u got a card.. its not illegal activity.. so id take it to a lawyer and see if u have a case first.
 

JointOperation

Active member
especially because the fact.. that they didn't even contact you personally to tell you to get out.. they just put shit on your door.. id tell the lawyer you think there trying to get you out so they can raise the rent for someone else to get in there..

honestly.. all depends on lease agreement.. grey areas are everywere tho.. so a lawyer or attorney is ur best bet to check out whats up first.. then go from there.. good luck dude.
 

DemonTrich

Active member
Veteran
I just put down 3.5% (fha loan) on my house last nov. cost me about 5k to move in. sucks they are dropping the hammer on ya. a little odor control and being nice about things can go a long way in keeping a happy grow house.
 

theother

Member
Why on earth would a city inspector need access to the inside of your apartment. If you are in cali I can tell you that is the strangest thing I have ever heard. Also landlord tenant law generally favors the tenant most of the time, seems like if you took down the tents you could fight the whole thing them set it back up again. Fwiw though it sounds like this spot got blown up and it's time to move along anyway though.
 

MJBadger

Active member
Veteran
Seems strange that there is no rental agreement , if you have paid rent for over 10yrs without any hiccups I would think you have a valid case & fight it . Is there not an advice centre anywhere near you that could give you the intell on the correct law ?.

And remember the fact that the inspector NEVER saw inside your tent there is no evidence you were over your plant limit .
 

Holdin'

Moon-grass farmer
Veteran
When I was tent growing in a rental... every year there was an inspection. Even on all good terms, it was protocol for the rental management company. So every goddamn year I'd have to prepare by taking down the tents, all equip, hiding plants etc. I never let it dictate my growing schedules, but man was it a pita. Even in a medical-friendly area and within counts, I just always wanted to avoid the BS.

So yeah, the fact you made it that long is great. I agree with others, see this as an opportunity to move on and get something of your own. But either way I'm sorry tohear about your luck, ssounds like quite the burden. Could've been avoided, but if they were this quick to evict, you probably had it coming and they were just looking for a reason.

Best of luck to ya :tiphat:
 

mowood3479

Active member
Veteran
rental grows stress me out.
own it or rent it from a trusted friend. I hate breaking down for a waste of time inspection and that is why i dont do rental grows anymore and im happier for it.
my two cents anyway
 

highbrid1

Member
Where I live, if you have a month-to-month lease, ownership can evict you without giving a reason. Most leases start out as a year then roll into month-to-month. Both parties are free to end the tenancy at any time after that.

Also, they told me a couple months ago I should expect 2 fire alarm inspections per year in addition to 1+ from the city inspector. It would be a major PITA to break everything down 3x a year, which is ridiculous.

It was probably time to move on anyway. I've been thinking about it for a while now and no way I could of kept growing in my current place anyway. Just sucks hard to see the cost of rent for a decent place right now. I can expect to pay another 500+ a month to get a comparable place.
 

Shcrews

DO WHO YOU BE
Veteran
that sucks but it's typical. i'm surprised you lasted as long as you did

i've gotten kicked out of so many places for growing i've lost count. Finally found a cool landlord when i moved out to the sticks. go find a rundown house in the middle of nowhere and you won't get hassled.


own it or rent it from a trusted friend.
for some people it's not that easy.
 

mowood3479

Active member
Veteran
@ schrews... ur right, a good growing situation isnt that easy to fall into... people gotta do what they have to do. I did rental grows for years, until I didnt have to anymore...

Im just stating the obvious that a "cool" growing situation (owned) or cool landlord is much less stressful than growing in a "hostile" situation ie.. Ducking Landlords and inspections, etc. etc
My experience is that its always something growing in someone elses house... Never made it a whole year in a rental without the landlord wanting on the premises for one reason or another (and that phone call stresses me the f##k out. "hey, just giving u a call because we have to inspect the furnace filter tomorrow"
Ahh f##k, i guess im gonna be up all night loading shit into a uhaul.

No thanks, no mas for me
 

catbuds

Member
Here's a thought, cramped though it may be. I'd get a camper or trailer to live in untill I'd saved enough for the house I WANTED & not down size on that because of price. I'm in a camper till I fix my house, growing in the closet. Cramped, but doable. You're not your own boss when you rent. I wouldn't be able to stand landlords/inspectors invading my privacy.
- I'm sorry you were treated unfairly, but it may be a blessing in disguise if it leads to home ownership.
- Good luck! :)
 

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